If your shop uses JobBOSS ERP, you need VisualBoss. Why?
VisualBoss is a Windows-based software application incorporating AI technology, that communicates with your existing JobBoss SQL database and performs live analysis of the data. VisualBoss applies proprietary algorithms, and unique data processing and display, allowing all your employees to easily understand the processes that need to be addressed to reach your goal of on time job delivery.
The addition of VisualBoss to your JobBOSS data is going to help you achieve the full benefit of your job tracking system.
From the perspective of a software application developer, we view JobBOSS as a very powerful data collection system. One of the challenges in database design is the reporting mechanism. With JobBOSS comes the ability to define an almost unlimited number of reports and reporting formats to analyze all the details of the data related to your jobs. In our decades of experience working with job shops, we have seen how many companies share this information. Typically, there may be a daily or weekly production control meeting, where reports are distributed to all in attendance and someone interprets the significance of the shared reports.
As we have previously stated, the job schedule is so fluid, that these reports and their significance become obsolete shortly after the production meeting adjourns. What we need is live reporting that constantly updates. More than that, what if the report was formatted in such a way that it did not require interpretation. In addition, what if you could share it will all employees simultaneously.
JobBoss is efficient at collecting the day-to-day data of the jobs passing through your shop. It includes reporting tools allowing management to view the status of all the jobs at intervals of their choosing. However, many shops do not have a dedicated production control staff who typically monitor job flow in detail, sharing that information with management, who in turn, may share it with employees at each work center.
Since the workload is very fluid, and can change several times a day, many shops find that running a weekly, or daily job status report does not sufficiently inform them of the details needed to maintain the desired job flow. In addition, the typical job shop does not employ sufficient indirect personnel who can constantly interpret the report data and then interact with the employees sharing the latest information on what to focus their attention on.
By adding VisualBoss to your JobBOSS ERP system, all employees can easily visualize and understand the load at each work center and continually know what parts to focus on.
One definition of A.I. states: Artificial intelligence (AI), the ability of a digital computer to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans.
VisualBoss has been designed with computer algorithms that endow the software with the intellectual understanding of those tasked with managing the job flow through their company. Where did this understanding come from? Well, it is really a combination of our many decades of experience working in the job-shop industry as well as specific criteria requested by shop owners. The reality is that we are always listening to those working in the industry and regularly look for ways to incorporate new criteria into the software.
Once your start the VisualBoss application, it will continually scan the live JobBOSS data and make its own intelligent decisions regarding what jobs you need to focus on, displaying this information in a very unique and clear visual presentation.
You only need to start VisualBoss a single time, and it will begin a constant, 24 x 7 analysis of your jobs and help all of your employees keep the job flow steady till completion.
JobBOSS stores all of its data in a SQL relational database (pronounced SEQUEL, acronym for Structured Query Language). SQL was invented in the 1970s and is one of today's most popular data formats. Your JobBOSS system is typically running on a Windows-based workstation connected to your local server, which is typically running Microsoft SQL Server. VisualBoss is designed to run on Windows-based workstations. When you install VisualBoss it automatically connects to the JobBOSS SQL database, giving it access to all of the stored data. Once running, VisualBoss is constantly scanning and interpreting the relevant JobBOSS data. However, it never makes any changes to the JobBOSS data. Whenever the JobBOSS system updates this relevant data, it is reflected in the VisualBoss data display. (You actually set the frequency of database scanning. Perhaps you will decide to scan every minute or every hour. That is for you to decide. That scanning frequency is saved within VisualBoss and applied automatically.
To implement the VisualBoss add-on to JobBOSS, you would typically place large TV monitors in your shop, connected to a small laptop connected to your local network. Each device is running the VisualBoss application which displays a live view of all the work centers with part numbers displayed in order of priority. As jobs are worked on, and leave each work center, those changes are immediately displayed on the large monitors.
Since VisualBoss runs independently from JobBoss, you do not need additional JobBoss licenses to run this application.
With VisualBoss running in your shop, everyone who views the monitor becomes visually aware of the work flowing through the shop and easily understands what they must do to keep the job flowing towards the goal of on-time delivery.
In addition, though VisualBoss comes with built-in customizable properties, the application can be completely customized by us to reflect the exact format and presentation that your shop desires. This service is available at additional cost.
Important Note: VisualBoss is compatible with the original JobBOSS product, which uses a local SQL database server. It is not designed for use with the new "JobBOSS2 Cloud" software product presently offered by ECI.
Installing VisualBoss:
As part of the registration form you will let us know which version of JobBOSS you are running and the general data that you wish to appear in the jobs display. We made need to adjust the VisualBoss installation files to conform to your version and interface preferences. It may take a couple of days to prepare this. Once we have everything in order, and have processed your payment, we will provide you with a special link, which allows you to download the software from our secure server.
Since each company's JobBOSS version and SQL server implementation can vary, we expect to have to help you with some part of the installation. For example, depending on the version of JobBOSS you are using, there may be a need to "tweak" the data import settings to be able to scan the correct fields in JobBOSS.
In addition, the exact interfacing to the Microsoft SQL Server you are running, can require a bit of hands-on help. This may require that you share a session of "Team Viewer" or "Zoom" with a member of our tech support team, to aid you in the correct VisualBoss configuration.
We want to be certain that the software gets up and running for you as soon as possible, which is why we plan on " being there" for the installation. We will help you install VisualBoss on a single workstation.
Pricing:
The cost for VisualBoss is $ 2,000 USD. ($1,000 upfront, and $1,000 due 30 days after installation.)
You may install the software on up to 5 workstations. This Includes 1 year of email support and 1 year of software updates.
We also offer to create a completely custom version of this application for customers who have very specific needs. (Please contact us for a quote on a fully-custom application for your company.)