Engineering Changes a Part
BeforeThe binder stays out of date until someone reprints it.
With TraceEvery operator sees the new revision the moment you publish.
Serial SN-0203 In Progress
Step 4 of 12
Torque Check Pass
45.2 Nm
Parts Recorded
- ✓Base HousingLot 2291
- ✓GasketLot 118
- ✓Cover PlateLot 5530
Trace
Available
From paper binders to a complete build record for every serial number
Trace replaces printed work instructions with digital guides and live shop-floor execution. Every measurement, QC check, and remark is recorded against the serial number and step, so when something goes wrong you can trace it to the cause.
No IT project required. Start with one instruction and one production line.
Every Serial, Every StepWho did what and when, on each unit
Measured Against SpecRequired values checked against their range
QC and Spot ChecksSigned off by a certified checker
Problems Traced to the StepRemarks and photos stay on the unit
Every Instruction, Ready for the Floor
Your whole instruction library in one place, with product photos, revisions, and tags, so operators always run the approved version.
The Path From Paper to Proof
Four moments where paper lets you down, and what changes with Trace.
A Unit Fails in the Field
BeforeNobody can say which step or operator it came from.
With TraceTrace it to the exact step, measurement, and operator in seconds.
A Customer Asks Where Their Order Is
BeforeEmails and phone calls to the shop floor.
With TraceThey follow it live through a share link.
An Audit Request Arrives
BeforeDays digging through files and forms.
With TraceExport a PDF or Excel build record in minutes.
Quality Checking
Catch Errors During Assembly, Not at the Customer
Required measurements, manual QC, and random spot checks gate each step. A step cannot be finalized until its checks pass, and every result is signed and stored with the serial number.
Measurements Against Range
Operators enter each required value, and Trace marks it In Spec or out of spec against the range you set.
Manual QC Sign-Off
A certified checker approves or rejects the step. Rejections need a reason and block the step until it is redone.
Random Spot Checks
Sample a share of steps at random, so a rushed step is just as likely to be verified as any other.
Error Tracking
Trace Every Problem Back to Its Source
When an operator hits a problem, they log it on the step with a description and photos. Remarks and the fix stay with the serial number, so the next shift sees what happened and you can see how long it stayed open.
- Problem reports with a description and up to 10 photos
- Remarks and solutions recorded on the step, with the operator and time
- Rejected quality checks stay on record and hold the step
- Open problems and the longest-open one on your Activity dashboard
Digital Instructions
Write It Once, Update Every Operator
Build version-controlled work instructions with text, images, and measurements. Link each part and tool to the step that uses it, and see exactly what changed before you publish.
- Visual step editor with images, video, and required measurements
- Master bill of materials linked to the steps that use each part
- Compare any two revisions side by side before you publish
- Draft changes stay private until engineering is ready
Traceability
Who Did What, When, on Every Instruction Step
Trace keeps a complete history for every serial number. Each check, measurement, issue, and sign-off is linked to the step and the operator who recorded it, so you can audit a unit or answer a customer question without digging through files.
- Operator identity and timestamp on each step completion
- One report per assembly session, with every serial number's steps, QC results, and measurements
- Exportable as PDF or Excel for customers, audits, and internal review
Assembly Sharing
Give Your Customers a Live View of Production
Share any assembly with a link. Your customer sees each serial number, its step progress, QC results, and remarks as they happen, so nobody has to call for a status update.
- A read-only view that refreshes on its own while production runs
- Open to anyone with the link, or protected with a password
- Customers can download the PDF or Excel build report themselves
- Turn sharing off at any time to close the link
Inside Trace
Browse real product screens by workflow area. Pick a tab, then click a thumbnail to see related capabilities.
Digital work instructions
Replace paper binders with a searchable library. Each product gets version-controlled steps, BOM lines, and rich media.
- Drag-and-drop step editor with images and video
- Compare revisions before you publish
- Intelligent AI import for existing documents
Assembly sessions
Turn a published instruction into a live job. Track every serial in the batch from one dashboard.
- Choose revision, PO, and serial number range
- Monitor active and completed sessions
- Publish drafts only when engineering is ready
Shop-floor execution
Operators follow instructions on screen, record torque and other measurements, and hand off steps without losing context.
- Step carousel with per-unit progress
- Request QC from certified checkers
- Remarks and access handover between operators
Build records and proof
Production managers get session overviews, AI summaries, and exportable records for customers and auditors.
- Serial-level step progress and session notes
- AI executive summary from recorded floor data
- Read-only guest views and report export
Team and operations
Admins manage users and roles, monitor live production health, and keep media organized per instruction.
- Role-based access for operators and QC
- Live workers, blocked steps, and open problems
- Central storage with per-instruction folders
Screenshots from the Trace app. Documentation covers setup, roles, and publishing workflow.
Paper to Trace
Your Word Manual In, a Working Instruction Out
Drop in the manual you already have. Trace turns it into steps with images, parts, callouts, and measurements.
WI-4500 Rev DNorthstar Industrial Co.
2. Clean manifold body NSI-4500-01 with a lint-free wipe and inspect all six ports for burrs or machining debris (Figure 1); do not continue if a port is damaged. Fit one O-ring OR-014-70 into the groove of each of the six ports using the plastic pick, never a steel scribe. The ring must sit flat and fully in the groove with no twist (Figure 2).
3. Thread a port fitting NSI-4500-02 into each port by hand until it seats, then tighten the six fittings in the order 1-4-2-5-3-6 shown in Figure 3 using torque wrench T1 set to 35 Nm +/- 3 Nm. WARNING: never exceed 38 Nm, over-torque cracks the manifold body. Mark each fitting with a paint pen after torquing and do not re-torque a marked fitting.
Figure 3. Tightening sequence, front face.
4. Install bleed screw NSI-4500-05 into the top face and tighten to 8 Nm +/- 1 Nm, then apply serial number label LBL-4500 to the right side of the body, clear of the side fittings, and record the serial number on the traveller.
Uncontrolled when printed. Page 3
- 10steps built from one Word file
- 5 of 5images placed in their steps
- 36callouts added across the instruction
Sample manual for the fictional Northstar Industrial Co., imported in about half a minute. Results vary with your document, and every step stays editable until you publish. See how AI import works.
Trace AI
First instruction in 30 minutes, not 2 days
Trace AI speeds up authoring and reporting while keeping engineers and quality teams in control. Every suggestion is reviewable before it reaches the shop floor.
Authoring Import paper SOPs and enhance instruction step pages
Reporting Summarize assembly sessions in plain language
Paper to Trace import
The import from the example above, step by step in the app: upload a Word manual, watch the draft build, then review it before you publish.
- Part numbers and specs are copied verbatim
- Import review flags steps and BOM rows that need a look
Enhance instruction step
Authors start with rough notes and photos. AI proposes structured layout, callouts, part links, and measurement suggestions. You pick what to apply.
- Before-and-after preview with category checkboxes
- Safety and QC suggestions never apply silently
- Preserves your images and integrates with editor undo
AI session overview
After a production run, managers get a readable narrative of what happened: QC outcomes, rework, open remarks, and blocked instruction steps across the batch.
- Generated from recorded floor data, not guesswork
- Highlights rejections and unresolved items per serial
- Regenerate when new data arrives on the session
AI features use company credit balances. Human review stays required before publish and for safety-critical suggestions.
Control and Visibility
Keep Production, People, and Files Under Control
Targets, team access, and company files live in the same workspace as your instructions, so managers see what is happening without walking the floor.
Production Activity
Track steps completed, daily output against your targets, and open problems, with target hit rates for each product.
Assembly Dashboard
See every production session with its status and progress, then open a session to manage its serial numbers.
Team and Seats
Invite teammates, assign roles, and see seat usage at a glance.
Roles and Permissions
Start from the built-in roles or create your own with exactly the permissions the job needs.
Storage Manager
Keep images, videos, and documents in one library and watch usage against your plan.
Built for how teams actually work
Beyond the core workflow, Trace handles handoffs and onboarding so new lines get productive fast.
Hand off instruction steps without losing the record
When shifts change or specialists take over, operators request instruction step access instead of sharing passwords or paper notes.
- Instruction-step access requests with operator identity
- Measurements and remarks stay tied to the serial number
- QC checkers approve critical instruction steps before close-out
Onboard a line in days, not months
Trace guides new teams through setup with a built-in checklist: create an instruction, publish it, start an assembly, and complete a first unit on the shop floor.
- Four-task checklist with a Show Me How walkthrough for each step
- AI import for existing PDF or Word work instructions
- Role templates for admins, operators, and QC checkers
In Production
Running on the Davantech assembly floor
Trace is not a concept. It runs live on the Davantech production line in Dongguan, China, where operators follow digital work instructions and every unit gets a complete build record.
Davantech used to run this line on paper travelers and end-of-shift sign-offs. See what changed: why digital work instructions replace paper on the factory floor.
Start Your Trace Trial
Trace is available now. Start a 14-day trial, set up your workspace, and publish your first digital work instructions.
See Trace pricing for plan details. Trace Pro includes Measure for every user.