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Using the Shop Floor Control App

Utilize the Shop Floor Control app to manage production tasks and track inventory in real-time.

Dayvid Lorbiecke avatar
Written by Dayvid Lorbiecke
Updated over a week ago

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

Tasks list in the shop floor app

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:

    Keyword search inside the shop floor app

    Filter:

    Filter by different resources in the shop floor app

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

Breakdown of a task in the shop floor app

Clicking on a task shows:

Ingredients List:

List of ingredients found in the shop floor app
  • Green: In stock

  • Yellow: Awaiting delivery or production

  • Red: Not available

Operators can:

  • Search for ingredients.

    Search for an ingredient in the shop floor app

  • Scan barcodes.

  • Add ingredients manually to the MO.

    Add an ingredient from the shop floor app

    Then, manually add or scan the ingredient:

    Adding an ingredient from the shop floor app
List of all operations for a MO
  • See all tasks for the MO.

  • View assigned operators.

  • "This task" is highlighted.

Notes:

Notes left on a manufacturing order

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:


Your feedback is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts on this article or anything in Katana you'd like to see improved: [email protected]

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