By Raj Barcode Systems
Every manufacturer has the same blind spot: the goods that are no longer raw material but not yet finished product. Without clear visibility into them, jobs stall, materials go missing between stations and managers find out about delays only when a customer calls. Work in process tracking software closes that gap by showing where every job, batch and component is at any moment on the shop floor.
This guide explains what work in process tracking software (often shortened to WIP tracking software) is, how a WIP tracking system works, the features to look for and the benefits it delivers, with a focus on manufacturing WIP software built on barcode and RFID technology.
Work in process (WIP), also called work in progress, is the inventory that has entered production but is not yet a finished good. Work in process tracking software, also known as WIP tracking software, monitors that inventory in real time, recording each job’s location, stage, quantity and status as it moves through production.
A good work in progress tracking system collects data from barcode scans, RFID reads and machine inputs, then turns it into live dashboards and alerts. It is most common in manufacturing, but the same work in progress software approach also suits construction, project-based services and any process with multiple stages.
To see how this is applied on the factory floor, explore our WIP tracking software solution.
Most WIP production tracking software follows the same simple flow:
See the live status of every order, batch or production stage, so managers make decisions on current data instead of yesterday’s report.
Define routings, assign work to stations and confirm that every step is completed in the right sequence.
Match labour, materials and machines to the work that needs them most, and avoid idle stations next to overloaded ones.
Good WIP tracking software connects with your ERP and MRP so production data, material consumption and costing remain consistent. See our hardware integration with SAP and other ERP systems and our Mobilizing ERP solution.
Track cycle times, throughput, queue lengths and bottlenecks, and use the trends to improve production efficiency.
Get notified when a job is delayed, stuck at a station or deviates from plan, so issues are fixed before they reach the customer.
Keep a record of which materials, operators and machines touched each job. It supports quality investigations and audits. Learn more in our guide to track and trace systems.
With real-time data, everyone from the shop floor to management sees the same picture. Questions like “Where is order 1042?” are answered in seconds, not after a walk through the plant.
Automating WIP tracking removes manual data entry and paper job cards. Teams spend less time updating records and chasing status, and bottlenecks are identified and fixed faster. For a deeper look at how this reduces delays, read how WIP tracking reduces production delays in manufacturing.
Live data on machine, labour and material utilisation lets you allocate resources where they add the most value, which cuts waste and improves on-time delivery.
Whether you need to reschedule a job, reassign operators or escalate a quality issue, live WIP data lets you act while there is still time to change the outcome.
A WIP tracking system highlights where material sits idle, where rework occurs and where scrap is created. Fixing these leaks reduces inventory holding costs and production waste.
Because every stage is recorded, defects can be traced to a station, batch or shift quickly. This supports consistent quality and faster corrective action.
Modern WIP tracking software can grow from a single line to multiple plants and adapt as products, routings and processes change.
Manufacturing WIP software helps any plant with multi-stage production. Common use cases include:
Before you choose a WIP tracking tool for manufacturing, check that it offers:
As part of a connected factory, WIP data can also feed Andon and Takt boards and Industry 4.0 and IIoT initiatives.
Work in process tracking software gives manufacturers what spreadsheets and paper cards cannot: a live, accurate view of everything in production. By improving visibility, efficiency, resource use and quality, a work in progress tracking system helps you ship on time, cut waste and scale with confidence.
Ready to see how WIP tracking can work in your plant? Explore our WIP tracking software solution or contact our team for a tailored recommendation.
Work in process tracking software, also called WIP tracking software, is a system that monitors work in progress, meaning the jobs, batches and components currently in production, in real time. It records location, stage and status using barcode or RFID scans and presents the data in dashboards and reports.
Inventory management covers raw materials, finished goods and stock in storage. WIP tracking focuses on the items that are mid-production. The two work best when connected, which is why many plants integrate WIP tracking with their ERP.
Each job or batch carries a barcode or RFID tag. Operators scan it, or readers detect it automatically, at every station. Each scan updates the WIP tracking system instantly, so status and location are always current.
Manufacturing industries such as automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and ceramics use it widely. It is also useful in construction and project-based work where tasks pass through several stages.
The main benefits are real-time visibility, higher productivity, better resource use, lower costs and waste, stronger quality control, faster decisions and the ability to scale across lines and plants.
Yes. Most WIP tracking software integrates with ERP and MRP systems so production, inventory and costing data stay consistent. Our team can help with integration with SAP and other ERP systems.
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