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The weighing software can be installed on a computer or it can be used as a more flexible SaaS cloud service, which is the modern solution. This way, the software can be used on a website browser or a mobile device anywhere, and it’s not tied to a specific location.
A traditional weighing system is only intended for internal use of the company. Typically in these legacy systems, data is sent one-way eg. as an email, whereas a weighbridge system enables shared data management with all users and stakeholders.
Each scale is connected to the service using a data transmission unit. The weighings are registered in the software’s database. The weighbridge software creates warehouse transactions from weighing events. Warehouse transactions can be transferred to different business systems, such as ERP, via API. Weighings can be connected to clients, contracts and orders and, if necessary, to construction sites, projects and customer’s locations.
There is a lot of legislation related to the weighing industry. The weighing service also helps you to use scales as required by laws and regulations.
When using a weighbridge software, you usually don’t need to use the scale’s own user interface when weighing, but instead use the software’s user interface. Before weighing, you can choose the product, storage location etc. When the weighing is started, you reset the scale and place the weighing load on the scale, and press the weighing button.
A weighbridge software brings all the information relevant for weighing in one place. A weighbridge software typically includes
- Product registers
- Customer registers
- Vehicle registers
- Weighing logs
- Weighing receipts
- Waybills
- Etc.
A weighbridge software is typically used to send or receive materials. For example, the company can sell and send raw materials, products, fuel, waste etc. Companies can also transfer materials internally from one of their own warehouses to another.
When weighing is done by using a weighbridge software, an event log is generated. The inventory balance is updated and material related to invoicing is created automatically. The weighbridge software is also used for reporting, and it makes long term reporting effortless.
In addition to the traditional features of the weighing service, it is typically possible to expand the services with, for example, the following features using additional modules:
- Features related to the maintenance of the scales, such as remote maintenance and condition monitoring.
- Device management of the scales.
- Monitoring compliance with the law.
- Automatic identification of the load being weighed.
- Access control, for example control of gates.
- Waste transfer documents.
- Automatic photography of the loads being weighed.
- Attaching documents and photos to weighings and loads.
- Sampling and analyses related to the loads.
- Connection to a local automation system, for example an automated warehouse.
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The more scales you have, the more important it is to have a uniform solution and process, and centralized data for weighing.
As mentioned above, a modern weighbridge system is a flexible SaaS solution that can be used from anywhere by anyone who is authorized to use it. Therefore, it’s not an advisable option to commit to a solution that is not a SaaS product.
Modern software enables the automation of workflows. You’ll also benefit from having a self-service option in the weighing software. A competent service provider of a weighbridge software can help develop and unify the processes of different locations and different scales.
Other essential characteristics and features in a weighbridge software are:
- Easy to use even when trying it for the first time
- Available in multiple languages
- Can be connected to any scale regardless of the brand of the scale
- A possibility to transfer data to business systems
- Open APIs: a standard way to transfer data
- Easy to update
- Also external stakeholders can use the software – not limited to internal use
- Data security (the right place to store data is not a PC)
- Maintenance free
- Versatile and flexible to use for reporting weighing data
- Easy to use on different devices, including occasional users
- Easy to integrate with other software and systems
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The majority of software usage today is done on mobile devices with screens of varying sizes. The modern weighbridge application scales well for different screen sizes. Users are also offered support where they are, which is in the application itself.
Nowadays everyone has their own user interface in their pocket in the form of smartphones. It goes where you go, and also the documents are always at your fingertips. Mobile use often means good work safety, because the driver does not have to get out of the vehicle.
Thanks to mobile use, the information on the weighbridge software is always correct and up-to-date. Updating the software is also remarkably efficient, and the latest updates are always available to the user.
Generally speaking, software is typically intended to make work more efficient, which is also the case with weighbridge software. It can be used to automate routines and reduce manual work.
Traditionally, scales have been connected to a lot of additional parts, such as a user terminal, printers, remote sensors and a PC computer. This way of using weighing systems and managing data is outdated and laborious. Traditional weighing system:
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Typically, there are several different people who need access to weighing data. The products have a supplier, a transport company and a customer, each of which has several people in different roles who process information. The weighing service enables the visibility and management of data for all parties according to their different roles.
This results in considerable cost savings due to the efficiency of the processes.
The benefits of a cloud-based service are the traceability of weighings anywhere and at any time, because all the information is in the same system. The service can be used with an internet browser or with a mobile application designed for its use.
Nowadays, the importance of traceability and compliance with the law is being emphasized, and weighing software makes operations more transparent and traceable. Information is made available to those who need it. Also the weighing information is always up-to-date: Each weighing updates inventory balances, reports and billing information in real time.
In addition, weighbridge software enables better customer service to the end customer.
The old way of weighing:
- Legacy systems: A scale specific Windows-based software and equipment with many maintenance and safety issues.
- Siloed and fragmented: Each location has its own information and methods of operating. Measurement results are not integrated into sales and purchase orders.
- Concentrated on the workforce: The systems are only intended for use by local field personnel.
- Cloud-based and mobile: All scales are connected to and maintained in the cloud service.
- Integrated platform: Scales and weighing data are shared with all the stakeholders. Material transactions are assigned directly to sales and purchase orders.
- Less need for manpower: The management of the scale and related data is automated.
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You can connect all kinds of scales to a weighbridge system from old to new ones. As mentioned above, you should consider choosing a weighbridge software to which you can connect scales from all the scale brands and not just a specific one.
There are many weighbridge software solutions in the market that only support one manufacturer’s scales, but for example mScales weighbridge software supports scales regardless of the brand. This way, you won’t need to change to a new weigbridge software when you get new scales from different brands.
The kind of industrial scales you can connect to the software are for example:
- Floor scales
- Truck scales
- Belt scales
- Silo scales
- Loader scales
