In the fast-paced environment of modern manufacturing, efficiency, real-time data access, and quick decision-making are crucial for maintaining competitiveness. Shop floor control (SFC) plays a vital role in managing and monitoring production activities directly on the manufacturing floor. With the rise of Industry 4.0 and the proliferation of mobile technologies, mobile solutions for shop floor control have become a transformative enabler within the SAP for Manufacturing ecosystem.
Shop Floor Control involves the methods and systems used to monitor, schedule, and control production activities. It includes tasks like:
Traditionally, these tasks were handled through fixed workstations, manual data entry, or disconnected systems, leading to delays and data inaccuracies. Mobile solutions, integrated with SAP systems, address these inefficiencies.
Mobile solutions enable real-time interaction with SAP systems from handheld devices such as tablets, smartphones, or rugged mobile terminals. These devices provide operators, supervisors, and maintenance staff with immediate access to critical production data and functions.
Real-Time Data Collection and Visibility
Improved Decision-Making
Increased Productivity
Enhanced Flexibility and Mobility
Error Reduction and Compliance
SAP offers several technologies to support mobile SFC:
A leading automotive components manufacturer using SAP S/4HANA and SAP Digital Manufacturing deployed mobile devices across its shop floor. Operators use tablets to scan material barcodes, report completion of production orders, and perform quality checks. Supervisors monitor KPIs through mobile dashboards. The result: a 25% reduction in reporting errors and a 15% improvement in on-time production execution.
Mobile solutions for shop floor control are no longer optional—they are essential for achieving operational excellence in modern manufacturing. By integrating mobile capabilities with SAP for Manufacturing, businesses can gain real-time visibility, improve productivity, and enable smarter, faster decision-making on the shop floor.
SAP’s ecosystem, combined with flexible mobile technologies, is empowering manufacturers to move toward fully connected, responsive, and intelligent factory environments.