What we did
We built a new stock control system tailored to Lightworks’ needs which gives the team precise knowledge of all the equipment they are holding, provides costs for each job, and alerts them when stock is running low.
All equipment entering the workshop is scanned using a handheld device – far quicker than recording it manually. This links directly into the system, recording a wide range of data including cost and location. When stock levels run low, the system checks against pre-set minimum levels and automatically sets up a reorder that just needs approval.
The Lightworks team were so pleased with the results that they asked us to work on three further projects. We created a signing in and signing out system for the warehouse, workshop and offices to ensure security of the equipment, which today includes micro controllers and lasers. Next we developed a lifting plan that ensures installation of the displays is safe and compliant – not easy when each display can weigh over a tonne. Detailed data is recorded for each of the displays based on testing done in the workshop, so when members of the team take equipment out to be installed they have precisely the information they need with them on a mobile device.
Finally, we built a system to control the daily switch-on and switch-off of the entire Illuminations, accessible via an interface on a desktop computer. The daily switch-on can be scheduled automatically or carried out manually. They sometimes choose to switch on manually ahead of the published time if there are large numbers of visitors.
A separate launch sequence is initiated for each of the eight electrical substation units. Once the lights are on, a message is sent to the team to confirm the operation is complete.
