Shop Floor MES App Design & Build
WMS Ltd are a industry leading pipework prefabrication, packaged plant and technical R&D manufacturer
Overview
WMS Ltd has been a long-term Rich Material client, with the relationship developing over more than six years. During that time, the systems used across the business have continued to evolve in line with operational needs, industry changes and new technology.
One of the key projects we did together was the creation of a shop-floor MES-style app that connected WMS’s internal Smartsheet system with the factory.
The aim was to give production teams live access to job information, improve visibility across the shop floor and reduce the reliance on paper-based processes.
Multi-Device
The system can be operated on large touch screens, tablets and smartphone devices. The design adapts to the device it is viewed on.
Live data
Live job information made available to factory teams, improving production visibility and reducing reliance on paper.
Low running costs
Due to the technology used this system is incredibly low cost to run and maintain based on other solutions avialable.Grant Support
The system was grant supported, by several successful submissions over the years.
Updates were often expensive, and previous development partners were unable to create a solution that could keep pace with WMS’s requirements. As a result, the business repeatedly returned to paper because it remained the most consistent way of getting information into the factory.
WMS originally asked Rich Material to build a bespoke factory app. While this was possible, we recommended reviewing existing third-party tools first to understand whether a more cost-effective and flexible approach could deliver the same result.
After reviewing the options and discussing the findings with the business, WMS decided to progress with AppSheet. This provided a flexible way to build an application connected to Smartsheet, without the cost and complexity of a fully bespoke system.
This approach meant WMS could build on the systems already in place, rather than starting again.
Directors and project managers could create and manage projects within the internal system, while the relevant job data was automatically made available to the factory through the MES-style app.
On the shop floor, staff could view live job information, open project details, update job statuses, record materials, identify who was working on each stage and request stock when needed.
A particularly successful feature was the delivery note and despatch visibility. Quality control teams could easily see which jobs were due to leave the factory, locate them in delivery batches, complete QA checks and sign them off for despatch.
Ongoing improvement
The app continued to evolve over time. New features were introduced, including stock inventory, Q&A functionality, specialist projects and reporting.
Once the system was established, Rich Material supported the handover to an internal member of staff at WMS. This person was trained to manage and support AppSheet & SmartSheet internally, allowing the business to take ownership of the system and continue using it successfully for several years.
The outcome
The project gave WMS a cost effective factory system that connected office-based project management with shop-floor activity.
By using AppSheet and Smartsheet together, WMS avoided the cost and risk of a fully bespoke build while still gaining a practical system that could be adapted over time.
The project was also supported by successful grant applications from Made Smarter and Digital Enterprise, helping reduce the financial risk and making the investment more accessible.
What made the project successful
The success of the project came from understanding the business first. WMS did not simply need an app; it needed a solution that worked with its people, its factory environment, its existing systems and the way jobs moved through the business.
By selecting the right platform, building around existing workflows and training the internal team, Rich Material helped WMS create a system that was useful, affordable and easy to maintain.
What’s next
As technology changes, Rich Material is now working with WMS to explore the next stage of the system.
This includes rebuilding the application using AI-assisted development and exploring how AI agents could support the future management and maintenance of the app. The long-term goal is to give WMS a more intelligent system that can be updated and managed more easily, with AI acting as a virtual support resource for the business.