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Blog and Articles

Articles Written for the Shop Floor, Not the Boardroom

Practical reads for people who run metal processing, distribution, and manufacturing operations. No generic thought-leadership. No consultancy waffle. Just articles written for people who care about what actually happens on the shop floor.

Our articles cover the decisions that actually matter for metals businesses:

  • How to cut scrap without replacing your equipment
  • How to stop chasing mill certificates before every delivery
  • How to get real inventory visibility without a six-figure ERP bill
  • How AI is changing the economics of metals manufacturing

You’ll also find articles on industry terminology, compliance standards, and the wider context of digitalisation for metals SMEs. Turns out knowing what’s broken is step one.

If you’re looking for a specific subject, browse by topic or category. The glossary is a good starting point if you’re new to the terminology your customers use on purchase orders.

Audit Panic is Optional: How to Stop Freaking Out Over Lost Certs.

  • Ruth Kearney
  • Blog
  • Mar 19, 2026
  • Updated

Stop typing mill certs and hunting filing cabinets — kill 1985 tech. See how AI extracts heat numbers, auto-links certs to stock and ends audit panic.

Read More: Audit Panic is Optional: How to Stop Freaking Out Over Lost Certs.

BS EN 1090 and NSSS Compliance: Stop Drowning in Structural Steel Paperwork

BS EN 1090 and the National Structural Steelwork Specification require traceable, auditable mill certificate records. Manual management means compliance risk. GoSmarter fixes that.

Read More: BS EN 1090 and NSSS Compliance: Stop Drowning in Structural Steel Paperwork

You Wouldn't Worry About the Price of a Pint if Your Margins Were Better.

  • Ruth Kearney
  • Blog
  • Mar 18, 2026
  • Updated

Stop burning material and hours on 1985 tech and spreadsheets — AI cuts scrap, slashes energy bills and stops downtime dead. GoSmarter.

Read More: You Wouldn't Worry About the Price of a Pint if Your Margins Were Better.

GoSmarter vs Excel for Metals Inventory Management

Excel is the default tool for metals inventory, but it was not built for steel. GoSmarter was. Here is where each one wins and when it makes sense to use both.

Read More: GoSmarter vs Excel for Metals Inventory Management

AI Cutting Optimiser: The Complete Guide to Linear Cutting Optimisation

GoSmarter’s Cutting Plans is purpose-built cutting optimiser software for rebar and long product manufacturers. Generate optimal steel cutting lists, improve cutting plan efficiency, and cut scrap rates by up to 50%.

Read More: AI Cutting Optimiser: The Complete Guide to Linear Cutting Optimisation

Stop Running Your Factory Like It's 1985: The No-BS Guide to AI for Metals

  • Steph Locke
  • Blog
  • Mar 17, 2026
  • Updated

AI for metals isn’t about robots taking your job. It’s about stopping the manual drudgery that’s killing your margins. Here’s the no-BS guide.

Read More: Stop Running Your Factory Like It's 1985: The No-BS Guide to AI for Metals

Cloud MES Software: What It Actually Costs and Whether It's Right for Your Factory

You’re a plant manager researching MES options. This guide explains what cloud MES is, how it differs from on-premise, what the top commercial solutions look like, and how to compare them on TCO without getting sold a lemon.

Read More: Cloud MES Software: What It Actually Costs and Whether It's Right for Your Factory

Rebar Quotation Is Eating Your Week. AI Fixes That.

Rebar quotation is one of the most time-consuming, error-prone jobs in a rebar merchant or fabricator’s day. Here’s how AI rebar systems change that — and what to look for in one.

Read More: Rebar Quotation Is Eating Your Week. AI Fixes That.

Your Scrap Rate Is Costing You Twice. Here's How to Calculate It.

Learn exactly how to calculate scrap rate using the standard formula, work through real production examples in actual £ figures, and find out what a good target scrap rate looks like for metals manufacturing.

Read More: Your Scrap Rate Is Costing You Twice. Here's How to Calculate It.

They Go Home to Nest Cameras. They Come to Work and Time-Travel.

  • Ruth Kearney
  • Blog
  • Mar 13, 2026
  • Updated

Your team uses Nest thermostats and Ring cameras every night. Then they clock in and feel like it’s 2005. Here’s why that gap is costing you more than you think and what to do about it.

Read More: They Go Home to Nest Cameras. They Come to Work and Time-Travel.

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