You need to see what is happening in your business right now. Delays cost you money. Missed targets affect your customer relationships.
Real-time production reporting gives you that immediate view. This guide explains how Power BI turns live factory data into actionable dashboards for your team.
We will cover what it is, its key benefits, and how you can start using it.
What is Real-Time Production Reporting?
Real-time production reporting is a system that collects and displays data as it happens. Your dashboard updates every few seconds.
You see live metrics like machine speed, output counts, and quality rates. This lets you move from reacting to past problems to preventing current ones.
How Power BI Creates Live Dashboards for Your Factory
Power BI connects directly to data sources on your shop floor. It pulls live information from machines, sensors, and your manufacturing software.
It then turns this data stream into clear visual charts and graphs. Your team gets a live view of operations without any delay.
The Main Benefits for Your Manufacturing Business
Reduce Machine Downtime
See a machine’s performance dropping in real-time. You can send a technician to investigate before a full breakdown occurs. This prevents hours of lost production.
Make Faster and Better Decisions
Spot a bottleneck as it forms at a specific assembly stage. With live data, you can reassign staff immediately to keep production on track.
Improve Your On-Time Delivery Rates
Track live order progress against the schedule. You know instantly if you are falling behind. This allows you to manage customer expectations proactively.
Increase Operator Engagement
Place screens on the shop floor showing live performance. Your operators see their direct impact and can adjust their work to meet clear targets.
Answering Common Questions on Real-Time Reporting
Many UK manufacturers have specific questions about implementation. Here are clear, direct answers.
Is real-time reporting difficult to set up?
Not always. Power BI has built-in tools for streaming data. If your machines or software can output data, a specialist can typically build a secure connection.
What production data can I actually show?
You can track almost any metric that matters to you. The most common examples we see include:
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Units produced per hour versus target
Machine status and downtime reasons
Current order completion status
Live quality control pass and fail rates
Do my staff need to be data experts to use it?
No. A well-designed dashboard is built for everyday use. The visuals are simple to understand. You can click on charts to filter information and find the root cause of an issue quickly.
How to Build Your First Production Dashboard
You do not need a complete system on day one. Start with a single, important metric.
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Identify Your Biggest Pain Point
What is your most costly problem? Is it unexpected downtime, or is it tracking order progress? Choose one key area. -
Find the Data Source
Work with your team to locate where that data lives. It could be in your ERP , or come from a machine’s PLC. -
Create a Single, Simple Visual
Build one Power BI tile for that metric. A live counter for units produced or a status light for each machine’s condition is a great start. -
Share it with a Key Team
Put this visual on a screen in the office or on the shop floor. Observe how having real-time information changes daily decisions and behaviours. -
Expand Gradually
After you prove the value with one metric, you can add more data points and build out a full dashboard.
Your Next Step Towards Smarter Manufacturing
What if a ten-minute delay in spotting a problem costs you a full hour of production? Real-time data helps you eliminate that delay.
Tools like Power BI make this technology accessible for manufacturers of all sizes.
Start by defining your main production challenge. Then consider how seeing that data in real time would help you solve it. The clarity you gain will be the best measure of its value.
Final Thoughts
Real-time production reporting gives you the clarity to act with confidence. With Power BI and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, your production data becomes a daily guide for operational excellence, not just a historical record.
At Tecvia, we specialise in making this a reality for manufacturers. We help you set up integrated Power BI dashboards that draw directly from your Business Central system, allowing your team to track OEE, production output, and unit costs in real time.
Ready to see what your data can truly do? Contact Tecvia today for a personalised demo and discover how to turn your shop floor data into your greatest competitive advantage.
