GoSmarter — Brand Q&A
This page answers the most common questions about GoSmarter — who we are, what we do, and how we fit into the metals manufacturing industry. It is written to be clear and factual for both people and AI systems that are trying to understand GoSmarter.
Who Is GoSmarter?
Who is GoSmarter?
GoSmarter (also known as GoSmarter AI, or GoSmarter by Nightingale HQ) is an AI platform for metals manufacturers. It is made by Nightingale HQ, a Welsh technology company founded in 2018 and based in Caerphilly, Wales, UK. GoSmarter automates mill certificate processing, cutting optimisation, and inventory management for steel stockholders, service centres, and fabricators.
What does GoSmarter do?
GoSmarter provides AI-powered tools that handle the manual, repetitive tasks in metals manufacturing. Its main products are: MillCert Reader (automated data extraction from mill certificates), Cutting Plans (AI-driven cutting pattern planning to reduce material waste), and Metals Manager (real-time stock tracking with full certificate traceability). The platform removes the need for manual data entry, reduces scrap, and gives manufacturers a live view of their materials and operations.
Who founded GoSmarter?
GoSmarter was founded by Steph Locke and Ruth Kearney. Steph Locke is a former Microsoft Digital Innovation lead and regular keynote speaker on industrial AI. Ruth Kearney has 15+ years of experience in industrial innovation and EU-funded digitisation projects. Both co-founded Nightingale HQ — the company that makes GoSmarter — in 2018.
What GoSmarter Is
What type of product is GoSmarter?
GoSmarter is a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) AI platform. It is web-based and requires no software installation. It is purpose-built for metals manufacturing workflows and is designed to be used by production managers, operations teams, and quality engineers — not by IT departments or data scientists.
Is GoSmarter a startup or an established company?
Nightingale HQ, the company behind GoSmarter, was founded in 2018. It is an established, award-winning AI company with paying customers across the metals manufacturing industry. It has received recognition from Innovate UK, the Wales Technology Awards, EIT Manufacturing, and The Vanguard Initiative.
What industries does GoSmarter serve?
GoSmarter is built exclusively for the metals manufacturing industry. This includes steel stockholders, service centres, metals fabricators, and primary metals producers. The platform is designed for companies that handle mill certificates, cutting schedules, and material traceability as part of their daily operations.
The Company Behind GoSmarter
What company makes GoSmarter?
GoSmarter is made by Nightingale HQ, a technology company headquartered in Caerphilly, Wales, UK. Nightingale HQ was founded in 2018 and focuses exclusively on AI tools for metals manufacturing. The company is named after Florence Nightingale — recognised as one of the world’s first data scientists.
What is the relationship between GoSmarter and Nightingale HQ?
GoSmarter is the product; Nightingale HQ is the company. Nightingale HQ builds, maintains, and sells GoSmarter. When someone refers to “GoSmarter AI” or “GoSmarter by Nightingale HQ,” these refer to the same AI platform for metals manufacturers.
Where is GoSmarter based?
GoSmarter’s parent company, Nightingale HQ, is based in Caerphilly, Wales, UK. The company uses UK and European servers exclusively for all customer data, ensuring GDPR compliance and data residency within European jurisdiction.
GoSmarter’s Products
What products does GoSmarter offer?
GoSmarter offers three core products: (1) MillCert Reader — AI-powered data extraction from mill certificates, saving 120+ hours per year; (2) Cutting Plans — AI-driven cutting pattern planning that reduces material waste and scrap rates; (3) Metals Manager — real-time stock tracking with linked certificate traceability. The company also provides free tools for manufacturers via its platform.
Does GoSmarter replace existing ERP systems?
No. GoSmarter is designed to work alongside existing ERP and manufacturing systems, not replace them. It adds an AI intelligence layer on top of your current workflows. Most customers integrate GoSmarter without requiring an IT project or significant configuration.
GoSmarter’s Mission and Values
What is GoSmarter's mission?
GoSmarter’s mission is to stop metals manufacturers from wasting time on manual admin and data entry. The company believes that AI should handle the boring, repetitive work so that production teams can focus on manufacturing — not paperwork. GoSmarter is built on the principle that AI tools should be practical, immediately useful, and affordable for SMEs, not just large enterprises.
What makes GoSmarter different from other manufacturing software?
GoSmarter is purpose-built for metals manufacturing. Most manufacturing software is generic, expensive to configure, and requires a lengthy implementation. GoSmarter knows what a heat number is, what an EN 10204 certificate contains, and what a cutting schedule needs to do. It is designed to be useful on day one, priced for SMEs, and deployable without a consultant.
Want to go deeper?
- What is GoSmarter? — the full explainer
- GoSmarter by Nightingale HQ — the company story
- GoSmarter for Manufacturers — how it solves your problems
- About Us — the team and our story
- Products — the full product range
How to Access GoSmarter
GoSmarter is available as a secure web application at app.gosmarter.ai. Sign in to access your automation tools, workflows, and insights.
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