Learn how to manage production tasks and track inventory in real-time with Katana’s Shop Floor Control app.
What is the Shop Floor Control App?
The Shop Floor App is a mobile-friendly, web-based tool for production teams to manage assigned tasks directly on the shop floor. It allows real-time tracking of task progress, inventory usage, and operator activity.
Note: The app is part of the Advanced Manufacturing Add-on, available on the Standard plan or higher.
Operator setup
Operators are added through the Katana MRP website by inviting them to your team.
Each operator has a dedicated account and sees only their assigned tasks.
Operators cannot access pricing, cost data, or any other part of Katana.
Operator accounts are not device-specific, but only one session is allowed at a time.
Viewing and managing tasks
Operators see tasks from open manufacturing orders (MOs) that have been assigned to them.
Task list basics:
Tasks are shown in MO priority order by default (you can opt to show the tasks in consecutive order to prevent operators from starting tasks that require previous tasks to be completed).
Tasks appear as a list with the number of products to make (not ingredient quantities).
You can filter tasks by resource (i.e., workstation) or search by keyword.
Search:
Filter:
Task actions
Each task follows a simple status workflow:
Action | Description |
Start | Begins task and starts the timer. |
Pause | Temporarily stops the timer. |
Resume | Resumes a paused task. |
Quit | Reverts the task to “Not Started.” Time remains recorded. |
Finish | Completes the task and logs time. Task disappears from the list. |
The timer tracks actual production time, which is compared with planned time for cost analysis and optimization.
Sync with Katana
Task statuses update in real time in Katana.
Time tracking affects production cost.
Ingredients used and products made can be reported after the final task is completed.
Task details view
Clicking on a task shows:
Ingredients List:
Green: In stock
Yellow: Awaiting delivery or production
Red: Not available
Operators can:
Search for ingredients.
Scan barcodes.
Add ingredients manually to the MO.
Then, manually add or scan the ingredient:
Operations list:
See all tasks for the MO.
View assigned operators.
"This task" is highlighted.
Notes:
Any notes added to the MO are visible here.
Tasks with multiple operators
Multiple operators can work on the same task.
Status changes (e.g., Start, Pause, Finish) sync across all assigned operators.
Operators must log out to switch accounts.
Limitations (in-app)
Not Possible in the App | Must Be Done on Katana Website |
Reassign tasks | ✅ |
Change task priority | ✅ |
Edit or delete tasks | ✅ |
Group tasks | ❌ |
Reporting ingredient & product data
Operators can:
Report actual quantities of ingredients used and products made.
Add batch tracking info for batch-tracked items.
Leave comments if actual values differ from planned.
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