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Tutorials & Learning

Tutorials and Learning Resources

Practical tutorials and how-to guides for manufacturers who want to understand and use AI tools — without wading through academic papers or sitting through hour-long webinars.

These resources cover the things that actually trip people up: how to read a mill certificate, how to set up a cutting optimisation plan, how to build a business case for digitalisation without a finance degree, and how to get your team using new software without a six-week training programme.

Topics covered in this section include:

  • Understanding mill certificates and EN 10204 certificate types
  • How cutting optimisation software generates cut lists
  • Setting up yield tracking and scrap reporting
  • Building a business case for digital tools in a metals SME
  • Getting started with GoSmarter’s platform

If you’re looking for formal product documentation, head to the GoSmarter Knowledge Base. If you want background reading on industry terminology, start with the metals manufacturing glossary.

Integrated Planning–Materials Alignment for Metals Manufacturers

Integrated planning–materials alignment is the practice of ensuring every production decision — cut plans, job allocations, customer commitments — runs against the same live, verified material data. GoSmarter makes this possible without a multi-month ERP project.

Mill Certificate Automation Software: Which Tool Is Right for Your Business?

A vendor-neutral buyer’s guide to mill certificate automation software for metals manufacturers — covering five categories of tool, an honest eight-tool comparison table, real failure modes on multi-heat and foreign-language certs, deployment patterns, and a scenario map for every buyer profile.

Tier-Based AI Adoption for Metals Manufacturers: Start at Starter, Unlock More as You Grow

Tier-based AI adoption lets metals manufacturers start at Starter for traceability foundations, then unlock compliance automation at Workshop and full end-to-end traceability at Production. GoSmarter is designed for this pattern: each tier delivers value and unlocks more as you grow.

From Excel and Email to GoSmarter in 30 Days

A practical 30-day implementation guide for metals manufacturers moving from spreadsheets and email to GoSmarter. Covers week-by-week steps, common concerns, ERP integration, and what to keep versus what to retire.

ROI of AI in Metals Manufacturing: Real Numbers, Real Payback Periods

AI vendors throw around vague ROI claims. This page shows real numbers: how to calculate payback periods for mill cert automation and cutting optimisation, with benchmarks from a live production trial at Midland Steel.

GoSmarter vs Sage 50 for Metals Inventory Management

Sage 50 handles your books brilliantly. It was not built for tracking steel by heat number and grade across a yard. GoSmarter fills that gap, and the two tools work together rather than against each other.

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.

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.

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%.

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.