# Tool Utilization

Effective tool utilization is a key element to guarantee process integrity and product quality through manufacturing cycles.

Understanding which tool was utilized to complete a specific operation is essential in a regulated industry. 

More important, guaranteeing the processes in place are enforced and the utilization of a compliant tool and assembly hardware is hard requirement for an operation guarantees success.

ION Tool Requirements Features include the following:

* Ability to set optional or required tools at a step level
* Ability to set tool validations at tool selection level, such as specifying the exact tool that must be used for an operation

See *Diagram 1* below:

<figure><img src="https://3615148728-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LkRqYp6lJhwxjYdzYG8%2Fuploads%2FfRSzzXzwrxlOwUllkbd5%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=61e2b804-5dea-4ee6-9f97-407ace786024" alt=""><figcaption><p>Diagram 1</p></figcaption></figure>

How to Implement Tool Requirements in ION:

**Step 1:** Complete Tool/Operation Analysis&#x20;

* List all operations in your manufacturing process.
* Identify and list all tools required to perform your manufacturing operations
* Map each operation with their corresponding tool requirement(s)

**Step 2:** Complete Tool Maintenance Analysis

* Identify and list the maintenance cycle and criteria for each tool necessary for your manufacturing processes.

**Step 3:** Incorporate all Tool requirements and validations identified during the Tool/Operation analysis into the necessary ION procedures.

* Create a Field Type: Tool at each step/operation necessary. See *Image 1 b*elow:

<figure><img src="https://3615148728-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LkRqYp6lJhwxjYdzYG8%2Fuploads%2F3C5XW3OPd0bXCgJWeSmd%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=de94dd93-a85f-4216-8c86-4aaf24e0b482" alt=""><figcaption><p>Image 1</p></figcaption></figure>

* Set the proper validations and requirements for the tool field. This is the stage where you tell ION if a tool **MUST** be used for an operation, if so, which tool(s) can be used.

By completing the above tasks, your organization will:

* Identify any gaps between your tool inventory and operation requirements
* Enforce the utilization of a tool at an operation level

### Visualize Tools

To build on top of the in process requirements for tools. Organizations can pull this information into reports to manage tools better.\
\
Here are some dashboard ideas we have seen work for customers:

#### Tracking Tool Inventory Attributes

* Tool
* Serial Number
* Location
* Service Due Date
* Last Service Date
* Service Interval&#x20;
* URI - Universal Resource Identifier
* Status - Available/Unavailable

#### Tool Management Reports

* Automate the delivery of tool inventory reports based on specific parameters, such as cadence or specific conditions. For example:
  * Get a weekly report on all your tools automatically sent to the tool manager in your organization.
  * Never miss a calibration or maintenance date for your tool inventory by get a report of tools 2 weeks prior to their service due date.
  * Get a report of the tool inventory that is currently unavailable and requires maintenance and/or re-calibration.
  * Get a report of tools that have been 'Unavailable' for a certain period of time.&#x20;