Frequently Asked Questions About Tool-Track

1) What is Tool-Track?
2) How do I get the Shift Data into Tool-Track?
3) How will Tool-Track Save me Time and Money?
4) Will Tool-Track Allow me to Design my Own PM Schedules?
5) Does Tool-Track Keep a History for Each Tool or Machine?
6) Does Tool-Track have a Parts Inventory module?
7) Can I see Reports by Groups of Machines or Tools for Different Time Periods?
8) Can I Print Work Tickets for Repairs and PMs?
9) Does Tool-Track Maintain a History of Costs by Machine or Tool?
10) How Can I see my “In House” Repairs Separate from my Outside Repairs?

1) What is Tool-Track?
Tool-Track is a Preventative Maintenance application for Machines and Tools or Die’s. In addition to regularly scheduled PMs, Tool-Track also records details of none scheduled repairs, Tool Engineering Changes and Revision Levels. It achieves this by accumulating machine run hours and tool cycles each shift and updating this information for each machine and tool.

2) How do I get the Shift Data into Tool-Track?
Tool-Track has the ability to interface to any Real Time Production Monitoring System such as Shotscope, Oxbridge, Plantstar, Bear Technologies, or Mattec. At the end of each shift production run hours and cycles are automatically sent to Tool-Track and it updates each active machine and tool. Where no Real Time system is available Tool-Track will accept data from a spreadsheet or shift information can be manually keyed in.

3) How will Tool-Track Save me Time and Money? 
Tool-Track is an off-the-shelf maintenance system that is very easy to use. In no time at all, you can have your shop data entered because the fields are pre-defined and easy to identify. The purpose of Tool-Track is NOT to enter superfluous data. Machine and Tools are identified quickly and linked to appropriate PM schedules. Creating the inventory database is equally as easy and quick. By helping you track you machine and tool, PMs, unscheduled repairs, and inventory, Tool-Track saves you both time and money.

4) Will Tool-Track Allow me to Design my Own PM Schedules? 
Tool-Track provides up to ten maintenance categories (PM schedules) for every machine and tool. The user can define each PM, estimate the time and cost of completing the PM, and when he wants to be alerted that a PM is coming due for each tool and machine. Part kits can be specified and assigned to individual PMs as well as unlimited tasks which are to be performed on that PM.

5) Does Tool-Track Keep a History for Each Tool or Machine? 
Yes every machine or tool has its own unique history file called the MCR (Machine Condition Report) or TCR (Tool Condition Report). Entries are stored by date and can be printed by date. The reports can be used to detail repairs completed, comments about the equipment or notes for future repairs or maintenance. 

6) Does Tool-Track have a Parts Inventory module?
Yes Tool-Track has a fully integrated inventory module that allows you to classify parts for use on either a Tool, Machine or both. This prevents maintaining double inventory for items used on both categories. Tool-Track also keeps track of parts costs as well as total inventory costs at any given time.

7) Can I see Reports by Groups of Machines or Tools for Different Time Periods? 
Yes Tool-Track lets you group machines and tools by similar types. Reports are then compiled by group for weekly, monthly, year to date and lifetime.

8) Can I Print Work Tickets for Repairs and PMs?
Yes Tool-Track lets you assign PMs to technicians, specify the date for the PM or repair, attach the kit of parts to be used and add additional work instructions. Then the repair ticket can be printed. 

9) Does Tool-Track Maintain a History of Costs by Machine or Tool? 
Yes. When the PM or repair is completed, labor hours are entered along with any parts used (inaddition to any kit assigned to the job) and all costs are recorded. Tool-Track reports costs for PMs or repairs by machine and by tool. Summary reports can be obtained by for all repairs, or PMs by tool and machine or all machines all repairs.

10) How Can I see my “In House” Repairs Separate from my Outside Repairs? 
Purchase orders for outside repairs are created by clicking on the “Enter/Edit Outside Repairs” button. Purchase order numbers can be entered and invoice costs are entered. Tool-Track then keeps a running total of all invoice values by supplier.