Digital Work Orders vs Paper Travelers

Paper travelers have been the backbone of job shop production tracking for decades. But they come with real costs that most shops accept as normal.

Feature Comparison

FeatureFactoryOSPaper Travelers
Real-time job status
Cannot be lost or damaged
Accessible from any device
Automatic status updates
Searchable history
Quality records attached to jobs
Delay alerts
Reporting & analytics
Works without internet
No technology required
Setup cost$299/moPaper & printing

Best For

Choose FactoryOS if you...

  • Want to know job status without walking the floor
  • Lose paper travelers regularly
  • Need searchable production history
  • Run quality inspections tied to work orders
  • Want delivery performance data
  • Have multiple shifts or locations

Paper Travelers might work if you...

  • Run very few jobs (under 5 at a time)
  • Have no internet access on the shop floor
  • Team is strongly resistant to any technology

Why Switch to FactoryOS

Never lose a work order again
Know job status from your desk, phone, or any browser
Build searchable production history automatically
Attach quality records, drawings, and notes to each job
Track delivery performance over time
Reduce time spent chasing down job information

Frequently Asked Questions

Can operators still see job details on the floor?

Yes. Operators see all work order details on any phone, tablet, or screen. No paper needed.

What if our internet goes down?

FactoryOS is web-based, so you need internet access. Most shops have Wi-Fi coverage on the floor.

Will our older operators be able to use it?

Yes. The interface is designed for shop-floor simplicity. If someone can use a smartphone, they can use FactoryOS.

Do we need a credit card for the trial?

No. Start free for 14 days with no credit card required.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Start your 14-day free trial. No credit card required. See your production data in a live dashboard within minutes.