Blog

Manufacturing Insights & Best Practices

Learn about production scheduling, predictive maintenance, shop floor optimization, and more from the WorkCell team.

What AI-Native Manufacturing Software Actually Means

Every vendor claims AI features now. Here's how to tell the difference between AI-native software built from scratch and bolt-on AI that's just marketing.

Workcell Team•Jan 23, 2026•9 min read

Getting Operators to Actually Use Manufacturing Software

Most software rollouts fail on the shop floor. Here's why operators resist new systems and how to get them actually using your manufacturing software.

Workcell Team•Jan 21, 2026•8 min read

7 Questions to Ask Before Buying Manufacturing Software

75% of ERP implementations fail because buyers ask the wrong questions. These seven questions cut through vendor pitches and reveal what actually matters.

Workcell Team•Jan 19, 2026•10 min read

What to Track on a Shop Floor Dashboard (And What to Leave Off)

Most shop floor dashboards fail because they show too much. Learn which metrics actually matter for operators and managers, and what to leave off.

Workcell Team•Jan 16, 2026•9 min read

Finite Capacity Scheduling Explained: Why Your Schedule Lies to You

Most schedules assume infinite capacity and break the moment they hit the floor. Finite capacity scheduling respects your actual limits. Here's how it works.

Workcell Team•Jan 14, 2026•9 min read

Cloud vs On-Premise ERP: How to Decide

Cloud or on-premise ERP? Most generic advice ignores what manufacturers actually need. Here's a manufacturing-specific framework for making the right choice.

Workcell Team•Jan 12, 2026•9 min read

OEE Explained: What It Is and How to Improve It

OEE measures manufacturing equipment effectiveness by combining availability, performance, and quality. Learn how to calculate and improve your OEE score.

Workcell Team•Jan 9, 2026•10 min read

How to Reduce Manufacturing Lead Times

Most lead time is spent waiting, not working. Learn six practical ways to reduce manufacturing lead times by fixing visibility and scheduling first.

Workcell Team•Jan 7, 2026•8 min read

The Real Cost of Manufacturing ERP (Beyond Licensing)

License fees are just 20-30% of your total ERP cost. Learn what vendors don't tell you about implementation, training, and hidden expenses.

Workcell Team•Jan 5, 2026•8 min read

How IoT Changes Shop Floor Operations

IoT connects your machines to your software, replacing guesswork with real-time data. Learn what actually changes when your shop floor is connected.

Workcell Team•Jan 2, 2026•9 min read

Real-Time Scheduling vs Static Scheduling: Which Your Shop Needs

Static schedules become fiction by 10am. Real-time scheduling reflects what's happening now. Learn which approach fits your manufacturing operation.

Workcell Team•Dec 31, 2025•10 min read

How to Choose Manufacturing Software (Without Getting Burned)

Most ERP evaluations fail before implementation even starts. Here's a practical framework for choosing manufacturing software that actually works.

Workcell Team•Dec 29, 2025•10 min read

What is Shop Floor Visibility? (And Why You're Flying Blind Without It)

Shop floor visibility means knowing what's happening on your production floor right now, not yesterday. Learn what real visibility includes and how to achieve it.

Workcell Team•Dec 26, 2025•9 min read

Common Production Scheduling Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Most production schedules fail by mid-morning. Here are seven common scheduling mistakes and practical fixes to make your schedule stick.

Workcell Team•Dec 24, 2025•8 min read

ERP vs MES: When You Need One, the Other, or Both

ERP plans your business. MES executes on the shop floor. Learn when you need one, both, or a unified platform that does it all.

Workcell Team•Dec 22, 2025•10 min read

What is Production Scheduling? (And Why It Matters)

Production scheduling matches orders to capacity in real time. Learn what it is, why it matters, and what separates good scheduling from chaos.

Workcell Team•Dec 19, 2025•9 min read

7 Signs Your ERP Wasn't Built for Manufacturing

Your ERP handles invoicing fine. But production? That's where things fall apart. Here are 7 signs you're using the wrong tool for the job.

Workcell Team•Dec 17, 2025•9 min read

What is Manufacturing ERP? (And Why Generic ERP Falls Short)

Manufacturing ERP integrates production, inventory, and shop floor operations in ways generic ERP can't. Learn what makes it different and why it matters.

Workcell Team•Dec 15, 2025•11 min read

What is a Workcell? The Lean Manufacturing Concept Explained

A workcell groups equipment and people to produce parts efficiently. Learn how this lean manufacturing concept reduces waste and why we named our company after it.

Workcell Team•Dec 12, 2025•11 min read