Compass

Priority changes are unfortunately a common occurrence for most manufacturers. In this training we will review how to Suspend a Job and change the priority from Compass.

When to Suspend

Compass primarily focuses on tracking value-added work performed by Stations and Operators. Therefore, the suspension feature is particularly useful for processes that involve curing or drying at a secondary location. This enables Operators to temporarily pause value-added work on one job and resume it later, after the curing or drying is complete.

Likewise, in situations where there's a priority change and Operators need to quickly switch from one job to another, suspending the current job is a recommended approach.

Suspending a Job

To suspend a job, Operators start by pausing the Active Job in Compass and then press the Cancel Job button.

This will present a Warning, asking the Operator to confirm whether they intend to Delete the Job, or to Suspend it.

If Suspend Job is selected, Compass will place the job back into the Production Queue and show the Operator that there is an Incomplete Job.

Data Integrity

All aspects of a job are put on hold when a job is suspended. Upon resuming a suspended job, the production timers will continue from where they were stopped. If Instructions are being used, they will reappear at the last step completed before suspension.

Work Order Reports will combine the data of suspended jobs as if they were completed in a single instance. Production History Reports will also aggregate the data, but they will visually represent the suspension in the graphic at the top, provided the date range is less than 7 days.

Production stops can be a common challenge in manufacturing, and it is essential to gather data on their frequency, causes, and total duration to identify opportunities for improvement and prevent future hindrances. In this training session, we will explore the Pause screen, a valuable tool for tracking and analyzing production stoppages.

Accessing Pause Screen

Whether you are utilizing Digital Work Instructions or Instruction-Less mode in Compass, Operators have access to the Pause button to manage production pauses effectively.

In Instruction-Less jobs, you can find the Pause button conveniently located at the bottom-left hand side of the screen, accessible in both Setup and Build modes.

For jobs that utilize Digital Work Instructions, the workflow always begins with the Setup Details page. In this mode, the Pause button is conveniently located at the top-right of the screen, adjacent to the "START JOB" button.

Once the job has commenced, the Pause button can be found at the bottom-left of the page, positioned next to the "NEXT" button.

Reason For Pause

When the Pause button is activated, Compass will immediately pause all production timers and display the Pause Screen to the Operator. On this screen, a new timer will appear, specifically measuring the elapsed time of the production stop.

To resume Production Mode, operators must first select a reason for the pause from the list provided on the left-hand side of the screen. Once a reason is chosen, the "RESUME JOB" button at the top-right of the screen will become enabled, allowing operators to proceed.

In cases where an account is configured with Root Cause issues, selecting a reason for the pause will trigger the appearance of a secondary selector. This secondary selector prompts operators to identify the problem more specifically, providing a comprehensive view of the issue.

Choosing the most accurate reason and, if applicable, specifying the root cause is crucial for effectively measuring the operational challenges that Production Operators encounter. By accurately capturing this information, you can analyze trends, identify recurring issues, and implement targeted improvements to enhance productivity and streamline the production process.

Defective Unit

In the event of a defect that necessitates removing a unit from production and initiating a new unit, operators can choose the "Defective Unit" option from the Reason For Pause menu. This action triggers the opening of the Root Cause: Defective Unit screen, which prompts the gathering of supplementary information regarding the root cause of the defect.

Upon choosing the root cause of the defect, operators can additionally specify the number of units that were found to be defective, a particularly valuable aspect for Batch flow scenarios. Once the "SUBMIT" button is activated, all production data linked to that particular unit will be categorized as Production Waste, and the Instruction will recommence from Step 1.

Your Contacts

In case an operator requires support, they can simply press the "Contacts" button located at the bottom of the screen. This action will open a list of all available users to communicate with within that specific Work Area.

Once the desired person is selected from the list, certain contacts may offer pre-defined Message Options that become available upon engaging their name. Operators can choose the message that best suits their immediate requirement and then press the "SEND MESSAGE" button. When a message is sent, the system will convey essential details, including the operator's identity, the station in use, the reason for the pause, and any chosen Message Option.

Media Library

If HQ Designers have included any additional files with the Digital Work Instructions, these files will be accessible in the Media Library. However, if no files have been added or if you are in Instruction-Less mode, the Media Library button will be inactive.

To access files stored in the Media Library, simply choose them from the list located under "Station Type Media". This comprehensive library supports a variety of file formats including images, PDFs, and videos. These files can be conveniently displayed on the screen, providing operators with the visual and informational resources they need to perform their tasks effectively.

Edit Unit Quantity

If operators need to modify the quantity of the production order, they can achieve this by selecting the "Edit Unit Quantity" button located at the bottom of the Pause Screen.

For jobs that involve Digital Work Instructions, the adjusted Quantity must exceed the count of units that have already been completed. Maintaining the integrity of the total quantity is crucial; it should accurately reflect the number of units that the station will independently manufacture. This alignment is especially significant, as when the quantity of completed units matches the total quantity specified, the job will be automatically concluded. This streamlined process ensures that the production order is precisely fulfilled, reducing potential discrepancies in the manufacturing output.

Cancel Job

If an operator needs to halt the currently running job on Compass, they can accomplish this by pressing the "CANCEL JOB" button situated at the lower-right side of the Pause Screen. This action presents the user with two options: they can choose to either Delete the job or Suspend it, depending on the situation and operational requirements.

If a job is deleted, all associated data will be permanently removed and treated as production waste. This action is irreversible and should be undertaken only if the captured production data is severely compromised. An appropriate scenario for opting to delete data is when Compass was left running without any actual work being performed, and there is a need to rectify inaccurate information.

Suspending a job will freeze all production data and place the job back into the Production Queue and will be available to reactivate in the future.

Alert Mode

Every Work Area has the capability to be configured with an automatic Alert Mode. When the pause timers reach the predetermined threshold, the Pause Screen will transition into Alert Mode. This adjustment enhances the screen's visibility, making it more noticeable for support staff, and allowing them to swiftly respond to critical situations.

It's important to note that Alert Mode does not affect production data in any way. Its purpose is solely to provide an additional means of notifying essential support staff that assistance is required, ensuring effective communication and prompt resolution of any issues.

In this training we will explore the advanced features of Compass with Instructions. This mode offers step-by-step guidance, providing a more comprehensive and interactive experience for your production process.

Add Job Drop-Down

As you populate Job information from the Add Job screen, you may notice a convenient feature when clicking into the Unit Name input field. A drop-down selector will appear, providing you with a list of Units that have Work Instructions published and available for your specific Station Type.

Select your desired Unit, complete the Add Job requirements and press "LOAD JOB".

Setup Details

As soon as you initiate a job in Compass, the platform will direct you to the Setup Details page, where you will find all the necessary Tools and Materials required for the production order.

On the right side of the screen, you will find the Setup Instructions section, where you can view specific instructions related to the setup process. If there are multiple Setup Instructions available, you can easily navigate through them by clicking on the dots below the images or using the gray arrows that appear to the left and right.

At the top-right of the Setup Details page, you will find two essential options: "PAUSE" and "START JOB." Pausing the production run should be reserved for situations where no progress can be made, such as when essential materials are unavailable. The system will record the exact time it takes to prepare for the production run, making it highly recommended to use the Pause feature when applicable. This helps maintain accurate records and ensures that any delay in the setup process is properly documented.

Once the production run is ready to commence, you can proceed by pressing the "START JOB" button.

Materials and Your Time

On the left side of Compass, you will find the "MATERIALS" tab, which provides you with a comprehensive list of the Tools and Materials required to perform each individual Instruction task.

Additionally, each Instruction task is allocated an estimated time to complete. This time estimation helps you plan and manage the production process efficiently, providing a clear indication of the expected duration for each task. Once 80% of the allocated time has passed, the "YOUR TIME" tab will change to Alert Orange to signal that this Instruction task should be near complete.

Switching to the "YOUR TIME" tab will display the progression of both the individual Unit being built, as well as the Total Run Time of the Work Order.

At the bottom of either tab are 3 buttons: Back (left arrow), Pause (middle icon), and NEXT. When a Instruction task is complete, press the NEXT button to proceed to the next task.

Picture in Picture (PIP)

In certain Instruction tasks, the HQ Designer may find it necessary to utilize multiple pictures to provide comprehensive guidance. As a result, you might see additional images floating above the main Instruction image. These smaller images are known as pictures-in-pictures (PIP).

PIPs offer interactive functionality, allowing you to click on them to expand and take over the entire screen. When clicked a second time, they will return to their smaller state. Additionally, PIPs can also contain videos that can be played in either the large or small state.

In this training session, we will focus on utilizing Compass in Instruction-Less mode, which is the default state when Work Instructions do not exist for the product being built. This mode enables you to navigate and manage production tasks efficiently, even in the absence of specific step-by-step instructions.

Unit Not Found

After inputting the necessary Job information on the Add Job screen and pressing "LOAD JOB," if the unit does not have Work Instructions, a warning message will appear, notifying you that the "Unit not found."

As a precautionary measure, take a moment to review the warning and ensure that the Unit Name has no misspellings. If the Unit Name appears to be correct and you are ready to proceed without Work Instructions, click "YES" to continue. However, if you decide not to proceed without Work Instructions, you can cancel the action of creating this job by clicking "NO."

Instruction-Less Setup

The job will immediately load in the state of Setup. During this state, you should gather all tools and materials to prepare for the production run.

On the screen, you will find the Work Order and Unit name displayed at the bottom-center, while the total quantity of the order is shown in the top-left corner. To the bottom-left, you have access to the "PAUSE" button, which allows you to temporarily halt the job if needed. On the bottom-right, you will find the option to "Cancel" the job in case it becomes necessary to terminate the production process.

When you are doing preparing for the production run, press "START JOB" in the center of the screen.

Instruction-Less Build Time

Once you initiate the job, the timer will reset to 00:00:00, and the screen will switch to the Build Time view. This indicates that the job has commenced, and the timer will begin tracking the elapsed time of the production process.

The Build Time view provides a crucial feature for monitoring and tracking the time taken to complete the job, ensuring that 100% of all production runs have Time Studies recorded. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to ensure that the Quantity of the Units being built during the elapsed time aligns precisely with the Quantity represented in this Compass Job.

Instruction-Less Complete Job

When you are complete with the order, press the "COMPLETE JOB" button at the bottom-right of the Build Time screen.

This will trigger the verification process for the total units built during this production run. The number displayed will represent the original job details and serve as a reference for comparison. If the actual number of units built differs from the original job quantity, you can use the "EDIT TOTAL" button to access the Edit Quantity module.

From here, you can conveniently adjust the quantity to accurately reflect the total units produced in this job. This feature ensures that the production data remains precise and reliable, facilitating comprehensive reporting and analysis of job performance. Press "UPDATE" to save any changes.

Once the correct Quantity is recorded, press "CLOSE JOB" to complete the job.

In this training, we'll explore the various methods of starting a job using Compass. You'll learn how to create a job from scratch, accept an assigned job, or select a job directly from the production schedule.

Creating a New Job

Upon signing into Compass, the account will automatically look at the Production Schedule. If there are no jobs currently assigned, the screen will display "No job assigned." To create a new job, simply press the "ADD JOB" button.

This action will enable you to initiate the job creation process, asking you to input the fields necessary to organize your production information. Your Project Champions can assist you in determining the specific information and format required for input.

Nest

Nesting is a feature that must be turned ON by your HQ Administrators. It allows multiple unique products and orders to be made at the same time. By pressing the "NEST" button you will create a new line, to add more jobs press the "ADD" button. To remove unneeded rows, press the trashcan on the right to delete.

Batch

By default, Compass operates in single-piece-flow mode. However, if your production processes require you to build multiple units simultaneously, you will need to engage the Batch Button.

After inputting all the necessary job information, simply press "LOAD JOB." If Batch mode is engaged, you will be prompted to select the Batch Size. Once the Batch Size is inputted, press "LOAD JOB" again to initiate the production order.

Loading Assigned Jobs

If work order have been created in HQ for your Station, after signing in you will be notified of the work that needs to be built.

To accept the job and proceed with the default single-piece-flow, simply press the "LOAD JOB" button to initiate the work.

However, if you prefer to accept the job and proceed with Batching the work order, you can do so by clicking on the "Advanced Options" button located at the bottom-right of the screen.

In the Advanced Options module, you can input the Batch Size for your production run. Once you have specified the desired Batch Size, press the "SAVE" button to engage the Batch mode.

Selecting Another Job

If multiple work orders have been created in HQ for your Station, after signing in you will be notified of the work that needs to be built with the option to "Select Another Job".

This action will open your Queued Jobs. In case the list of jobs is extensive, you can utilize the search bar located at the top-middle of the screen to quickly find the specific job you intend to build.

Click on the desired job from the list, and it will become the engaged unit, ready for production.

Incomplete Job

In the event the previous Operator did not finish a work order, the final method of starting a job in Compass is to resume one that is Incomplete.

Upon signing in, you may encounter a notice regarding an Incomplete Job. To address this, start by verifying that the Work Order information aligns with the physical materials at your production cell. If you can confirm that the order is still present and can be resumed, click "YES, RESUME" to proceed and complete the existing order.

On the other hand, if the required materials are unavailable, or if you decide not to resume the Incomplete Job, you have two choices:

1. Click "NO, CANCEL" to terminate the job, effectively removing it from the queue.
2. Alternatively, if there are other jobs available, you can select "Select Another Job" to leave the Incomplete work in the Queue and switch to another job for completion.

In this training we will review signing into Compass, modifying the user's settings, as well as signing out and closing the application.

Logging into Compass

With a successfully connected Service Application, your operators will see a screen displaying your Company and Station Name. At the center of the screen, there will be an input box labeled "Access Code". To log in, operators need to enter their User-specific Compass Access Key - provided to them by your HQ Admins.

Upon entering a valid Access Key, operators will be successfully logged into Compass. At the top right-hand corner of the screen, they will see their name displayed, accompanied by a downward-facing arrow located to the right of their name. By clicking on the down arrow, operators can access the user settings menu.

Selecting Language

One of the significant advantages of using Digital Work Instructions is the flexibility to translate instructions according to the operator's preference. In Scout Systems, operators have the ability to change their default language settings to suit their needs.

To change the default language setting, operators can follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the downward arrow next to the language displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
2. A drop-down menu will appear, showing the available language options.
3. Operators can select the desired language from the list by clicking on it.
4. Click 'SIGN OFF', and then log back in to the account.

Cycle Scorecard

To create buy-in and engage operators, sharing production data can be a powerful strategy. In Scout Systems, one effective way to achieve this is through the use of the Cycle Scorecard feature in Digital Work Instructions.

When operators have the Cycle Scorecard turned on for their account, they will see a quick production report displayed following the completion of each unit they build. This report provides valuable insights into their production performance, including metrics such as cycle time, average times, best time, and order progress.

To enable the Cycle Scorecard feature, operators need to toggle it on in their user settings menu. This can be accessed by clicking on the down arrow next to their name at the top right-hand corner of the screen. After making the necessary changes in the user settings, operators will need to sign out and sign back in for the changes to take effect.

It is important to note that the Cycle Scorecard feature is best suited for products with longer cycle times. In fast production environments, where cycle times are short, it may not provide as much meaningful data and may not be as beneficial.

Station Switching

If your operators utilize assigned laptops and frequently move to different production cells, the Station Switching feature can greatly benefit your facility. To use this feature, operators can simply click on 'SWITCH STATION' from the user menu.

However, it is important to note that the Station Switching feature needs to be enabled by your HQ Admins. If you encounter an error message indicating that the feature has not been turned on, it is necessary to contact your HQ Admins for resolution.

Once the Station Switching feature is engaged, a module will be displayed, presenting a list of all available stations within Scout Systems. To switch to a different station, operators can simply click on the desired station from the list.

By selecting a specific station, Compass will automatically convert its settings to match those of the chosen station. This includes adjusting the configuration, preferences, and any relevant data associated with the selected station. This seamless transition allows operators to smoothly switch between different stations without the need for manual adjustments or reconfiguration.

Exiting Compass

In Scout Systems, all production data is meticulously mapped to the operators and stations responsible for building the products. This mapping enables a comprehensive understanding of the production process, helps identify complications, and allows for the discovery of causes behind mistakes or issues.

To ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data, it is highly recommended that users develop a habit of signing out of Compass at the end of their shifts. By signing out, operators can ensure that the data associated with their activities and performance remains accurately attributed to them.

When closing Compass, it is important to ensure a clean start for the next session. To achieve this, it is recommended to close not only the Compass browser tabs but also the Service Application.

Compass is the software that is used on the Production floor by your Operators. In this training we will cover a few essential aspects of using Compass: Launching and Closing Compass, as well as review common trouble-shooting tips.

Installing Compass

At Scout Systems, we prioritize data security and privacy. To ensure the utmost protection, it is necessary to install our Service Application on each computer that runs Compass. The Service Application is specifically designed with an encryption key to safeguard all data both in transit and at rest.

Stations are created using the HQ application 'Admin'. The system will automatically generate a unique 9-digit Station ID for each station. This Station ID plays a crucial role in the installation process. After you have confirmed the creation of your stations, reach out to our Support team to schedule the installation.

Compass Launcher (Service Application)

After our team has confirmed the installation is complete you can access Compass by clicking on the Compass Launcher application found on your Desktop, Start Menu, or your Taskbar.

When launching Scout Systems, the Service Application will briefly appear before initiating the launch of your default web browser. The primary function of the Service Application is to establish a secure connection and facilitate communication between your computer and the Scout Systems platform.

In addition to its primary role, the Service Application also serves another purpose - to communicate with the Tracker for equipment integration. If a Tracker is not installed or detected, you may see a message indicating "No Tracker found. Attempting to communicate with Serial Port COMX." This is an expected behavior, as the Service Application will continuously search for a Tracker and establish a connection as soon as one is detected.

If a Tracker is sensed by the Service Application, the connection will automatically establish, and the display will transition to a messaging string as indicated above. This messaging string confirms the successful connection between the Service Application and the Tracker, validating that data communication is actively taking place.

A successful Compass Launch will present the Compass login screen with your Company and Station Name displayed.

Launch Error

If Compass fails to display your Company and Station Name, it indicates that the Service Application has failed to establish a connection. This can be attributed to one of two possible errors:

1. The Service Application was closed: The Service Application needs to be running in order for Compass to function properly. If the Service Application has been closed, you should close all Compass tabs and relaunch the application. This will initiate the Service Application and restore the connection.
2. More than one instance of the Service Application is running: If multiple instances of the Service Application are launched simultaneously, it can prevent the establishment of a successful connection. If this is the case, it is necessary to close all Compass tabs as well as any running instances of the Service Application. Once closed, relaunch the application to ensure a single instance of the Service Application is running, allowing for a successful connection.

If you are experiencing issues with Compass Launcher that are not shown above, contact Support and someone will assist.