Overview
Ensuring that only trained and approved personnel operate critical workcenters is essential for safety, quality, and compliance in manufacturing environments. Plex ERP provides robust configuration options to enforce training requirements at both the workcenter and part level. This article outlines how to enable these features, the business case for using them, and best practices for implementation.
Business Case: Why Training Enforcement Matters
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Safety Compliance | Prevents untrained personnel from operating machinery, reducing risk of injury. |
| 📈 Quality Assurance | Ensures only qualified operators handle sensitive or complex parts. |
| 🔒 Audit Readiness | Maintains traceable records of operator training and approvals. |
| 🔄 Operational Continuity | Supports temporary overrides with part-specific training when approved operators are unavailable. |
⚙️ Configuration Steps
To activate training enforcement, follow these steps:
🔧 Enable Required Settings
| Module | Setting |
|---|---|
| Control Panel | Training required for login |
| Training Session | Training Approval Use |
| Training Session | Part Specific Training Add |
These settings ensure that:
- Operators must have approved training records before logging into a workcenter.
- Part-specific training can be granted temporarily for specific operations.
Disable Conflicting Settings
| Module | Setting |
|---|---|
| Workcenter | Approved Operators Selection = 0 |
| Control Panel | POL User Login Link |
| Control Panel | Badge Login |
⚠️ Note: Badge login does not currently support validation of trained operators at the Control Panel.
Setup Table: Training Approval Types
Create approval types (e.g., Supervisor, HR) in the Training Approval Type setup table. Associate these with user permissions such as Training Admin.
- If two approvals are required, configure both types.
- For single approval workflows, only one type is needed.
This ensures that training records are validated by authorized personnel before operators gain access.
Using Part-Specific Training
When no approved operator is available:
- A supervisor trains an employee on a specific part and operation.
- In the Training Records module, click “Add Part Specific”.
- Enter:
- Employee name
- Class name
- Part
- Operation
- Workcenter
- Approvers validate the training.
- The employee can now log into the workcenter for that part until the training is locked out or inactivated.
Security Overrides
To allow exceptions:
- Enable UX Action → Login Security Override (Application: Operations).
- Assign override permissions to Security Auditor users.
This provides flexibility for urgent operational needs while maintaining control.
Best Practices
- Audit Regularly: Review training records and approval workflows monthly.
- Use Role-Based Permissions: Limit override capabilities to trusted roles.
- Document Exceptions: Log any use of part-specific training for traceability.
- Train Approvers: Ensure HR and supervisors understand approval workflows.
- Avoid Badge Login: Use standard login methods to enforce training validation.
Summary
By configuring training enforcement in Plex ERP, manufacturers can uphold safety standards, ensure quality, and maintain operational flexibility. The combination of required training and part-specific overrides provides a balanced approach to workforce management—especially in dynamic production environments.