Manufacturing businesses today are dealing with an ever-increasing stream of data, thanks to the rise of digital technology and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). From production data to supply chain information, the volume of data available to manufacturers is growing at an unprecedented rate. Effectively utilising this manufacturing data is crucial for gaining insights into the performance of the manufacturing process, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions that lead to improved performance and profitability. However, with so much data available, it can be challenging to know how to collect, analyse, and use this data effectively. This is where manufacturing dashboards come in, providing a centralised platform for managing and analysing data, and turning it into actionable insights that can help manufacturers optimise their operations and achieve long-term success.
What are manufacturing dashboards?
Manufacturing dashboards are visual representations of real-time manufacturing data from various sources within the production or manufacturing process. These dashboards serve as a single location where managers and other stakeholders can monitor the performance of multiple operations and make informed decisions based on this data. Designed to be user-friendly, manufacturing dashboards utilise graphs, charts and other visual aids to facilitate quick interpretation of data.
Four Main Categories of Dashboards
- Operational Dashboards: Provide real-time views of machine status, production volume, downtime, inventory levels, quality metrics, energy consumption, and maintenance activities to support immediate decision-making.
- Performance Dashboards: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), supply chain metrics, financial KPIs, and customer satisfaction to align operations with business goals.
- Quality Management Dashboards: Offer insights into defect rates, rework and scrap rates, yield metrics, and trend-analysis to drive continuous improvement in product quality.
- Financial Dashboards: Display revenue, cost, profitability, and cash flow data to help financial managers identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise investment decisions.
Operational Dashboards
Operational dashboards provide a real-time view of the production process, enabling stakeholders to monitor the performance of various operations and make informed decisions based on this manufacturing data. Core data sources include MES, SCADA, PLCs, and IIoT devices, all feeding into a centralised dashboard for immediate visibility.
Key Examples of Operational Dashboards
- Machine Status Dashboard: Shows each machine’s running, idle, or fault state, along with unit counts, downtime events, and maintenance schedules.
- Production Volume Dashboard: Tracks units produced per hour, shift, or day, plus scrap rates and efficiency metrics.
- Downtime Dashboard: Details causes, durations, and impacts of downtime events on production volumes.
- Inventory Dashboard: Monitors raw materials, WIP, and finished goods, with metrics on inventory turns, days on hand, and stockouts.
- Quality Control Dashboard: Reports defects, rework rates, scrap rates, and yield, enabling rapid corrective actions.
- Energy Consumption Dashboard: Displays energy usage by machine, highlighting opportunities for savings.
- Maintenance Dashboard: Provides maintenance schedules, repair history, and active work orders to optimise uptime.
Performance Dashboards
Performance dashboards offer a high-level overview of manufacturing health by consolidating multiple KPIs into one view, helping organisations measure progress against strategic goals and identify improvement areas.
Key Examples of Performance Dashboards
- OEE Dashboard: Combines availability, performance, and quality metrics to measure equipment effectiveness.
- Supply Chain Dashboard: Monitors lead times, inventory levels, and supplier performance to optimise logistics.
- Financial Dashboard: Tracks revenue, expenses, and profitability, enabling cost control and investment planning.
- Customer Satisfaction Dashboard: Captures complaints, returns, and satisfaction scores to guide quality improvements.
Quality Management Dashboards
Quality dashboards are integral to quality management software, delivering real-time data on defects, rework, scrap, and overall yield. They help managers identify root causes, track trends, and implement preventive measures to elevate product excellence.
Types of Quality Management Dashboards
- Defect Analysis Dashboard: Visualises defect types, frequencies, root causes, and corrective actions.
- Rework Rate Dashboard: Shows rework volumes by product, shift, or line to identify process weaknesses.
- Scrap Rate Dashboard: Highlights scrap occurrences, enabling targeted waste-reduction initiatives.
- Overall Yield Dashboard: Compares units produced versus units meeting quality standards to track yield performance.
Financial Dashboards
Financial dashboards deliver insights into a manufacturing operation’s fiscal health, showing critical metrics to drive profitability and strategic investment.
Types of Financial Dashboards
- Revenue Dashboard: Breaks down revenue by product, customer, or channel to guide sales strategy.
- Cost Dashboard: Tracks production costs by line, department, or product to highlight savings opportunities.
- Profitability Dashboard: Combines revenue and cost data to measure product- and line-level margins.
- Cash Flow Dashboard: Monitors inflows and outflows, receivables, payables, and inventory impact.
Why Manufacturing Dashboards Matter
In an era of ever-growing data volumes, manufacturing dashboards are essential. They aggregate data into clear, visual formats, enabling managers to monitor real-time performance, detect trends, and take timely action to optimise production, improve quality, reduce costs, and increase profitability.
Getting Started with Manufacturing Dashboards
Begin by defining the KPIs that align with your strategic objectives and identifying data sources required to support those metrics. Select manufacturing software solutions with robust dashboard capabilities and seamless integration, ensuring real-time data flow. After deployment, continuously review dashboard performance, update metrics as needed, and expand dashboards to new areas to maintain momentum in your digital transformation journey.
