Case study · Aerospace manufacturer · Production

Issue material by scanning, not typing

A handheld app that lets operators issue material to work orders and move stock between locations by scanning, with first-in, first-out lot control and a full audit log.

Handheld scannersBarcode workflowERP integrationTraceability

IndustryAerospace manufacturing
TeamProduction and stockroom
Delivered asScan-only app for rugged handheld scanners
Connected toERP transaction API, two sites

The problem

What was getting in the way

  • Issuing material to a work order meant walking to a terminal and keying the work order, operation, part, quantity and lot.
  • Each keystroke was a chance for a wrong lot or a wrong work order, which undermines first-in, first-out and traceability.
  • Transfers between locations had the same problem, and there was little record of who moved what.
  • Work order travelers differ from site to site, so a one-size-fits-all screen did not work.

How we solved it

What we built

  • A handheld app where the whole happy path is scanning: badge, work order traveler, part, then a rescan to confirm.
  • The traveler barcode carries the work order, lot, split and, at one site, the operation, so the app can jump straight to the correct requirement line.
  • For traced parts the app shows a first-in, first-out lot list and requires a scan of each lot label, so the wrong lot cannot be issued.
  • Transactions post to the ERP through its API, and every scan is written to a log table for audit.
  • A location transfer flow follows the same scan-first pattern.
  • Each site runs the same code with its own connection and traveler format settings.

How it works

Zero taps on the happy path

Badge

The operator scans their badge to sign in.

Traveler

Scanning the work order barcode loads the job.

Part

Scanning the part finds the requirement line.

Confirm

A rescan confirms the quantity to issue.

Lots

For traced parts, scan each lot label in first-in, first-out order.

Screens

On the handheld

Large targets, one action per screen, and a scanner button as the main input.

Issue Material
Step 1 · Scan the traveler
OperatorBadge 4471
✓
Scan work order
barcode
The work order, lot and operation come from the barcode. Nothing to type.
Waiting for scan…
Confirm issue
Step 2 · Scan the part
Work orderWO-2060 / op 10
24 EA
Rescan the part to confirm
Rescan to confirm
Pick lots (oldest first)
Step 3 · Scan each lot label
Lot A-0412 · received Jul 0210 EA
✓
Lot A-0502 · received Aug 3040 EA
First-in, first-out is built into the list. Wrong label? It will not accept it.
14 of 24 picked
Three screens from a real issue. Scan the traveler, confirm the part, then scan lot labels in first-in, first-out order.

Illustrative screens rebuilt with sample data. No customer, supplier or employee information is shown.

What changed

The difference on the floor and in the office

Nothing to key

Scanning replaces typing, which removes a whole class of keying mistakes.

First-in, first-out enforced

The lot list is ordered for the operator and rejects the wrong label.

Full audit trail

Who issued what, to which job and from which lot is recorded for every transaction.

Faster at the point of use

Material is issued at the shelf or the machine instead of at a desk.

Fits each site

Traveler formats and system connections are configuration, so a second site reuses the same app.

One app for issue and transfer

Operators learn a single scan-first pattern for both jobs.

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