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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.

Why Metals Manufacturers Need a Phased Approach to Digital Transformation

Big-bang digital overhauls blow the budget and stall. Here’s why metals manufacturers should phase transformation: back-office first, factory floor last.

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What Is Digital Transformation in Manufacturing?

Most metals manufacturers stop at digitisation and wonder why the improvement feels thin. Here’s the plain-language difference between digitisation, digitalisation, and genuine digital transformation — with concrete metals examples at every level.

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ERP vs Spreadsheets: Multi-Warehouse Inventory for Metals

Spreadsheets are costing your metals business. Learn how ERP solves multi-warehouse inventory - and why GoSmarter gets you running in a day, not months.

Read More: ERP vs Spreadsheets: Multi-Warehouse Inventory for Metals

UK negotiates EU agreements to counter steel tariffs and EV regulations

British steel and EV makers face a tariff crunch. Here’s what the UK government is doing about it and what it means for manufacturers.

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Smart Sensors and IoT: Security Best Practices

Practical IoT security best practices for smart sensors in metals manufacturing, covering device hardening, PKI, mTLS, encrypted updates, real-time monitoring, and GDPR-compliant data management.

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Real-Time Data vs. Manual Tracking in Manufacturing

UK manufacturers waste £200,000 a year on manual production tracking. Real-time data cuts errors, slashes downtime, and makes compliance effortless.

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The Bone Yard Is Killing Your Margins: The Metal Waste Paradox

Forgotten yard stock drains margin and space. Learn a practical clean-up and offcut workflow that cuts buying, waste, and planning delays.

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GoSmarter vs Jonas Metals for Metals Distribution Management

Jonas Metals is purpose-built for the metals distribution industry and has been for decades. GoSmarter approaches the same problems with modern AI. Here is the honest comparison between two tools that both know steel.

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GoSmarter vs Katana and Fiix: Which Tool Does Your Metals Operation Actually Need?

Metals manufacturers evaluating inventory and cert traceability tools often compare GoSmarter with Katana and Fiix. They are not direct competitors. This post explains what each tool actually does, where they overlap, and how to decide which one (or which combination) is right for your operation.

Read More: GoSmarter vs Katana and Fiix: Which Tool Does Your Metals Operation Actually Need?

Shop Floor Planning Software for Metals Manufacturers

GoSmarter is shop floor planning software purpose-built for metals manufacturers. Generate live cut plans, allocate stock to orders in real time, and give your floor team the information they need without chasing it from a spreadsheet.

Read More: Shop Floor Planning Software for Metals Manufacturers