WorkStepsby SmartFACT
Free tier for one station

WORK INSTRUCTIONS, BUILT AROUND THE JOB

Every unit.
The right steps.

Describe when each assembly step applies in plain English. WorkSteps automatically builds the right work sequence from each unit’s options, so operators can get on with the job without working out which variations apply.

Free for real production at one station. While SmartFACT is in early access, we set your first workflow up with you.

AN OPTIONAL STEP
“Include the mounting check when the wall option is selected.”
DescribeApproveSelect steps

Automatic result: When a wall-mounted unit is issued, WorkSteps automatically includes the approved mounting check. A bench-mounted unit gets its applicable sequence without that check.

A PANEL COUNT
“For enclosures with four or more panels, include the centre support bar step.”
DescribeApproveSelect steps

Automatic result: A four-panel enclosure’s traveller includes the approved support bar step, which the operator confirms before the next step opens. A three-panel enclosure is issued without it. A unit with no panel count on its record can’t be issued.

A METHOD BY MATERIAL
“On the cleaning step, show the cleaning method from our cleaning notes for the unit’s body material.”
DescribeApproveSelect steps

Automatic result: A stainless enclosure’s cleaning step shows the stainless method from your cleaning notes, fixed on its traveller when issued. With no row for its material, the traveller cannot be issued until a reviewed row is added. WorkSteps never borrows a similar row.

Approved rules choose each unit’s steps exactly as written, and never record the work.

BUILT AROUND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

For manufacturers with repeatable assembly work that changes with product or customer options.

AUTOMATION FROM PLAIN ENGLISH

Your words become automatic step selection.

Describe when an approved step is needed, in plain English. SmartFACT turns that condition into a rule you can test and approve. WorkSteps then applies it automatically when each unit’s traveller is issued, selecting the steps, parameters and required evidence. Operators follow the resulting sequence; they do not have to interpret the option rules for every job. Your team supplies and approves the assembly methods.

How your rules become automation
TRAVELLER PREVIEWWorkSteps

WS-DEMO-014

Example enclosure

Selected route4 approved steps
Identify the unitConfirm the exact unit reference
01
Review the preparationRead the approved preparation notes
02
Review the mounting optionSelected by the wall option
03
Complete the recordConfirm required evidence is saved
04

Wall selected: include the approved mounting review.

Illustration only. No work has been performed.

Illustration only. No work has been performed.

FROM KNOWLEDGE TO A WORKING PROCESS

One instruction sheet rarely fits every variation.

When mounting, material or a customer option changes the method, someone usually has to choose the right instructions. Put those decisions into plain English rules once. After your team approves them, WorkSteps selects the applicable steps automatically for every unit.

01

Describe when steps apply

Supply your approved methods, then describe the selection conditions in plain English. Check sample units and approve the rules.

02

Let WorkSteps select the route

Import identified units and their options. Approved rules automatically select steps, resolve parameters and freeze each unit’s traveller.

03

Complete the selected work

Operators follow the issued sequence. WorkSteps requires the specified evidence before completion and retains the execution history.

THE SERVICE

Describe the rules. Automate step selection. Record the work.

Automatic step selection

Approved rules choose the applicable steps, parameters and reference images from the unit’s options. No repeated interpretation of a master instruction sheet.

A traveller for each unit

Give every identified unit its own frozen instructions and execution history, even when several belong to one order.

Evidence where it is needed

Ask for named confirmations, exact identifiers, text, photographs or supervisor review at the relevant step.

A clear handover

Pause and resume with the saved state visible. One operator owns the active work at a time.

Changes without guesswork

Retain the instructions that were issued. Source changes and withdrawn procedures trigger an explicit review.

A record you can return to

Find the selected instructions, submitted evidence and decisions for a unit, then export a readable record.

IS IT A FIT?

Start with one
clear workflow.

A good starting point

  • You have a known, repeatable process with meaningful variations.
  • Your source system can identify each unit and its options.
  • You want to automate instruction selection and evidence requirements alongside your factory software.

Scope

  • No scheduling, stock control or full MES.
  • No AI-generated assembly methods or measurement decisions.
  • No offline execution, parallel routes or machine interlocks.
Read the service guide →

WORKS WITH

What WorkSteps exchanges,
and what it keeps.

Takes data from

  • Identified units and their options from a CSV import

Sends data to

  • Traveller records and the evidence collected against each issued route

Does not exchange with

  • Your ERP: a paid integration only through data.smartfact.ai
  • CheckStation, KitProof or OrderRun: each keeps its own records, and a link is agreed at onboarding
  • Scheduling, stock control or machine interlocks

Every SmartFACT product keeps its own records. A link between two products is used only when your organisation has both, and is agreed at onboarding.

How the SmartFACT products work together →

BEFORE YOU START

A few useful answers.

How do we start?

Send us a short description of your workflow. While SmartFACT is in early access, we review the fit, enable your organisation through SmartFACT Accounts and set your first procedure up with you, free. Submitting the form does not create an account by itself, and no payment is taken.

What does WorkSteps automate?

It automates which approved steps apply to each unit, resolves their configured parameters and requires the specified evidence before completion. You review the rules before use; operators perform the physical work and provide the evidence. WorkSteps selects the route when the traveller is issued; it does not change it in response to operator answers.

Is this a replacement for our factory software?

It works alongside it, starting from CSV imports of identified units and structured options. Planning and stock control are outside its scope, and connecting an ERP is a paid integration that we scope with you and build through data.smartfact.ai. Tell us about the system at https://data.smartfact.ai/integration-enquiry.

Does AI write the assembly method?

Your process owner supplies and approves the method. SmartFACT turns plain English selection conditions into executable rules. WorkSteps then chooses the approved steps for each unit automatically; it does not invent assembly methods.

What does a completed traveller prove?

It records that the required permitted evidence was accepted against the issued instructions. It does not itself prove physical assembly, inspection conformity or permission to dispatch.

Does it work on the factory floor?

Yes. It runs in the browser at a handheld or scan station, with keyboard-style scanners, the device camera where you allow it, and touch-friendly controls. Recording work needs a network connection. Check your scanner with ScannerBench first. Scanner set-up guides, each written from the maker’s own documents, are at https://help.smartfact.ai/manuals/hardware.

How much does it cost?

Nothing to start: the free tier covers real production at one station. You pay when your use passes the tier’s thresholds, or when you want support or development from us. There is no payment on this website.

A PRACTICAL STARTING POINT

Explore your use case.

FREE TIER

Where do your instructions get complicated?

Start with a short description of your workflow. We review the fit and set your first procedure up with you, free, while SmartFACT is in early access.

Start free

Free at one station. Set up with you while SmartFACT is in early access.

THE SMARTFACT SUITE

Useful on their own.
Better around the same floor.

Automate factory decisions with rules you describe in plain English. Explore focused SmartFACT services, plus free tools for everyday checks.

Free tool

ScannerBench

See the text and key events your keyboard scanner sends. Compare them with the value you expected.

Test a scanner
Free tool

PrintBench

Print a known PDF, measure its reference marks and compare scans from the printed codes.

Check a print
Free tool

CardBench

Create 100 × 50 mm bin and rack cards with Code 128 or QR, from one record or a CSV.

Make bin cards
Free tool

CountBench

Count stock by location with a barcode scanner, compare it with a stock file and export the results. No account needed.

Start a free count
Free tool

BarcodeBench

See exactly what a scanned barcode contains, with hidden characters shown and GS1 fields, check digits and dates explained. No account needed.

Inspect a barcode
Free tool

MatchBench

Scan a reference and each label, see an exact match or the first difference, and download the results. No account needed.

Start a free comparison
Free tool

TagBench

Scan an item or location, note what needs attention, print a review tag and keep a review list. No account needed.

Make a free tag
Free tool

FindBench

Load your own parts and locations CSV, scan a code and see every location it lists. No account needed.

Start a free lookup
Free tool

ManifestBench

Check cartons, pallets or serial numbers against a list with a phone or scanner and see what is missing. No account needed.

Start a free check
Free tool

FeedBench

Check CSV and JSON files exactly as written, preview a column mapping and compare two versions by key. No account needed.

Check a file free
Free tool

CycleBench

Time work cycles and changeovers on a phone, record interruptions with reasons and download the results. No account needed.

Start a free study
Free tool

OffcutBench

Label the offcuts on your rack, find a piece long enough before cutting new stock and record what you used. No account needed.

Track offcuts free
Free tool

TraceBench

Load one or two CSV exports and follow a lot or serial forwards or backwards, with the row behind every link. No account needed.

Start a free trace
Free tool

ReclaimBench

Record the parts recovered from each return, label them with a QR code, check them and record the unit each one goes into. No account needed.

Track recovered parts free
Free tier

LabelRules

Describe label rules in plain English. Automatically select layouts, resolve customer codes and check each job before printing.

Explore LabelRules
Free tier

KitProof

Turn plain English component rules into automatic kit checklists, then check scans against the expected parts and quantities.

Explore KitProof
Free tier

WorkSteps

Turn plain English rules into automatic step selection for each unit, with required evidence and a record of completed work.

Start free
Free tier

FactorySpec

Apply approved product rules and calculations automatically to turn dimensions and options into manufacturing requirements.

Explore FactorySpec
Free tier

SmartFACT Data

Maintain reference tables with ConfigSheets or bring shop orders into SmartFACT through reviewed connectors. Check changes and deliver data to the products that use it.

Explore SmartFACT Data
Free tier

OrderRun

Turn plain English rules into automatic order checks and destination selection, with controlled production release.

Explore OrderRun
Early access

ParcelOffice

Scan the work order and the parcel choice to book the courier and print the labels. Approved plain English rules recommend or choose the parcel.

Explore ParcelOffice
Free tier

RefillFlow

Scan an empty container to send the right refill request to stores. Approved plain English rules set the stores queue, priority, ticket printer and escalation.

Explore RefillFlow
Free tier

RemnantRack

Label each offcut, find a suitable length before cutting new stock and record what you used. Approved plain English rules decide what to keep and where it goes.

Explore RemnantRack
Free tier

ToolCustody

Check a shared tool before handover, record who has it and keep damaged or overdue tools out of the next issue. Start free with one crib.

Explore ToolCustody
Free tier

StoresFlow

Receive, put away, reserve and issue stores material with barcode checks, keeping held, reserved and available stock apart. Start free with one stockroom.

Explore StoresFlow
Free tier

LotTrail

Follow a lot or serial number through the records your factory already keeps, with the source of each link and the gaps shown. Start free with two declared sources.

Explore LotTrail
Early access

CheckStation

Scan an identified unit to get its approved final-inspection checks, then record exact readings with their result, holds and release history.

Explore CheckStation
Free tier

ReclaimStation

Book returned units in, recover and label the usable parts, release them independently and record the unit each goes into. Start free with one product family.

Explore ReclaimStation
Free tool

GuidBench

Generate GUIDs, UUID v4 and v7, ULIDs and Nano IDs, format and download batches, or inspect a UUID in your browser. No account needed.

Generate identifiers
Free tool

OctetBench

Inspect and edit text, hex, Base64 and binary bytes in your browser, reveal hidden characters and compare byte sequences. No account needed.

Inspect some bytes
Free tool

PatternBench

Test JavaScript regular expressions in your browser, inspect matches and captures, preview replacements and check expected cases. No account needed.

Test a pattern
Free tier

SmartFACT Purchasing

Collect purchase requests, approve supplier orders and track what is still to arrive. Start free at one site.

Explore Purchasing
Free tier

SmartFACT Automation

Describe, test, approve and audit the automation rules of every SmartFACT product in one place. Included with each product’s paid plan, or on its own.

Explore Automation
Help

SmartFACT Help

Step-by-step guides and interactive demonstrations for the SmartFACT suite. Read the instructions, watch a task or practise with real product screens and sample data.

Open SmartFACT Help