MyWorkPLAN

MyWorkPLAN includes four modules that are placed in logical work order across the top of the screen: Estimator is used for quotations, Job Tracker monitors the progress of jobs and creates proofs of delivery and invoices, Scheduler manages production resources and capacities, and InfoManager keeps track of information about jobs all in one place. MyWorkPLAN is remarkably easy to use and it usually takes only one or two clicks to find the data you need.

Data in each module is displayed in a clear tree structure called EasyView. In addition to the MyWorkPLAN data, other files like e-mails,  Word or Excel documents, notes, deadlines, and even CAD files can be added to a project so that all related information is easily viewable and accessible. EasyView provides a filter that will sort the data according to almost every possible parameter a user might require: by customer,  quotation, job (completed as well as in progress), and soon. Data from past jobs and quotations can quickly be retrieved, copied, and adapted for new quotations.

Entering data is easy, but the best news is that data can be added to any project on the fly so the knowledge base builds quickly. If a quote is being prepared for a new customer who doesn’t yet exist in the database, the user just right-clicks in the customer field and creates a data file on the new customer without even leaving the quotation screen.

EasyTools contains a variety of tools within MyWorkPLAN that have been designed to make the user’s day-to-day work faster and easier. These clever tools are for searching and filtering data, creating help texts, and filing systems; plus, they all combine to improve company efficiency. MyWorkPLAN can also be personalized to suit company preferences in terms of industry terminology, technical data structure,  and document templates. MyWorkPLAN comes with more than 40 customizable templates for reports and documents. You can also create your own document templates.

The Analyzer interface is very similar to a CAD interface, displaying the CAD feature tree and work planes, and providing the same ability to pan,  zoom, and rotate the part. The Part Analysis function lets the user view sections through the part: minimum and maximum curvature radii, minimum and maximum Z heights, planar and draft surface data, bounding box calculations, and various thicknesses of the part. The Parting Surface function calculates and simulates core and cavity separation and the Compare 2 Files function allows the comparison of different files of the same workpiece to ensure the correct modifications have been made to the part.

MyWorkPLAN is based on MS Windows and MySQL database technology to run smoothly on standard computer hardware. The user has two options: operate MyWorkPLAN on a single workstation or operate the application as part of a network for multiple users. The Server version is installed on one computer and hosts the database. If you want to use MyWorkPLAN on a single computer, you only need to install the Server version. A Client version is provided, which must be installed on any additional computers where MyWorkPLAN is to be used. Because the application is designed to work across a network, firewall software must be configured to allow access. This is true even for a single-user installation. Reading the installation instructions provided on the product CD before installing the software is recommended.

If you’re like me and don’t read instructions, you might become perplexed when MyWorkPLAN fails to open the day after you install it. Fortunately,  MyWorkPLAN has a well-designed website (myworkplan.com) where I — I mean, you — can easily find instructions about the firewall configuration.

During installation, a sample database can be selected to help new users get off the ground fast. The sample data provides a good starting point for quickly learning the application before switching to a user database where real company data can be set up. MyWorkPLAN also comes with an informative animated “Getting Started” tutorial, showing how easily core functions can be completed. This tutorial is well worth the 15 minutes of viewing time. It shows the basics of using the software at a level of detail that makes it easy to start setting up data immediately. SESCOI also offers its FastStart implementation methodology that aims to get companies fully up and running using MyWorkPLAN within seven working days.

After using other scheduling and tracking software products that require an arduous data-setup process, MyWorkPLAN is a welcome change. Entering and tracking jobs is quite easy and the integrated purchasing and CAD analysis functionality make this a well-rounded product for small manufacturers. MyWorkPLAN offers many of the features typically found in larger, more expensive solutions but in an easy-to-use format that’s actually affordable.

Ann Mazakas is the president of Intelligent Creations LLC, a provider of services to the manufacturing industry. With an extensive background in engineering and manufacturing, she has built an in-depth knowledge of the CAD/CAM software industry. To comment on this article, send your comments through e-mail by clicking here. Please reference “MyWorkPLAN Review, December 2006” in your message.