A few questions before deciding on EN for my business

[Jungmannmatt 0]

Hey all, I'm thinking of using EN for my assembly and production team in my business. What we do is simply take small parts, build them into kits, and then take those kits and build them into fully functional machines that serve a task. My main need is bringing all of the assembly process and technical data into one easy to use and easy to update interface. EN sounds perfect for my needs, but I had some questions about it before taking the plunge.

 

1. I'm not a big fan of the table formatting so far. It's hard to get it to look and act consistent. I can format some things on my PC, but not on my iPhone. I can format some things on my iPhone, but not on my PC. Also, my tables get all out of sorts when in presentation mode; the formatting goes right out the window and nothing lines up and the text doesn't spread the tables appropriately. Is there a better way to do table formatting?
2. If I have a page full of check boxes, and they end up all getting checked for whatever reason, is there a way to un-check all of the boxes back to zero with just one action?
3. Is there any way to back up all of my EN data? If I were to spend time inputting all of my data (and there is will be a TON of it), can I sleep at night knowing that the data is safe and it will always be recoverable?
4. Lastly, for an assembly and production type of a business, are there any tips that anyone with experience in this type of work can offer as far as organization and process is concerned?

Thanks!

 

-Matt

[CalS 5,280]

1. Table formatting is rudimentary in EN. You can add a row, fill the columns with x's using a white font and lock the table widths. About it for what I know to control table format.

2. Right click in the note, To Do, uncheck to do boxes.

3. You can back up the entire data base with a copy or by notebook using the ENEX format. Search the forum, many threads on the ins and outs of backup and restore.

4. Can't help you here.

[gazumped 11,666]

What Cal said.  

 

Plus,  depending on the size of operation,  you might want to have a look at Evernote Business https://evernote.com/business/ which gives everyone a private account as well as central access to the business information.

 

Since setting up the whole thing reliably may need a certain expertise,  specialised business consultants are available here - https://evernote.com/business/certified-consultants

 

No specific help on point 4 either,  but one point to bear in mind is that changes you make on device A have to sync to the web and then when devices B, C and D also sync,  they get their copy of the changes.  Evernote isn't a minute-by-minute collaboration tool,  unless you go to the other extreme of running Work Chat and compare notes (literally) in real time.

[Frank.dg 1,385]

1. Lastly, for an assembly and production type of a business, are there any tips that anyone with experience in this type of work can offer as far as organization and process is concerned?

 

I do not have experience in the assembly and production area... but I've tinkered a lot with Kanban principles in numerous apps. Kanban, as I'm sure you know, was created by a think tank from Toyota in Japan. It, too, can have its incarnation in Evernote. Here is a starter post that might stimulate something along the lines of Kanban in Evernote:

 

http://www.productivitymashup.com/blog/2014/10/7/kanban-calendar-evernote-series-1-of-5 

 

Although, I must mention right off the bat that in terms of setting Kanban up in Evernote,note editing is not a highly collaborative process (not in real-time at least)... unless one includes Work Chat in the mix. You may run into conflicting note changes if you don't understand everything that is involved. 

[JMichaelTX 4,117]

Hey all, I'm thinking of using EN for my assembly and production team in my business. What we do is simply take small parts, build them into kits, and then take those kits and build them into fully functional machines that serve a task. My main need is bringing all of the assembly process and technical data into one easy to use and easy to update interface. EN sounds perfect for my needs, but I had some questions about it before taking the plunge.

 

1. I'm not a big fan of the table formatting so far. It's hard to get it to look and act consistent. I can format some things on my PC, but not on my iPhone. I can format some things on my iPhone, but not on my PC. Also, my tables get all out of sorts when in presentation mode; the formatting goes right out the window and nothing lines up and the text doesn't spread the tables appropriately. Is there a better way to do table formatting?
2. If I have a page full of check boxes, and they end up all getting checked for whatever reason, is there a way to un-check all of the boxes back to zero with just one action?
3. Is there any way to back up all of my EN data? If I were to spend time inputting all of my data (and there is will be a TON of it), can I sleep at night knowing that the data is safe and it will always be recoverable?
4. Lastly, for an assembly and production type of a business, are there any tips that anyone with experience in this type of work can offer as far as organization and process is concerned?

Thanks!

 

-Matt

 

Matt,

 

Evernote is a great, general-purpose note-taking, PIM system, but I don't think it would work very well, if at all, for a manufacturing assembly process.  I urge you to look elsewhere for software specific to your industry.  

 

I have used Evernote for years, and have been a consultant to businesses in the manufacturing industry.  The software you need depends greatly on what you want it to do, and how far in the supply chain process you want it to go.

 

The assembly process is generally covered by a method called MRP (Manufacturing resource planning).

This method, and the software it uses, can be, and often is, very complex.  I suppose if your operation involves only a very few people, with a small number of parts/kits/machines, you could get by with a manual process.  But if your business is larger, or you hope to grow significantly, then you will want to give very careful thought, discussion, and testing into the selection of the MRP software for your business.

 

A good MRP will allow you to create orders for the top level machine/product, and then provide a detailed breakdown for the specific kits and parts that will be required, including quantity.  It will provide inventory control, which is essential maintaining profitability with the minimum overhead.

 

If you or someone in your company are not familiar with MPR, I would suggest that you engage a consultant to help you establish your needs and in the selection and installation/configuration of the proper MRP software.