Enhancing Safety Management with New Tool Check Mode in i-Repo Scan

In the world of manufacturing and maintenance, an oversight as minor as leaving behind a single tool can lead to significant problems, including contamination of products, equipment malfunctions, or even injuries to workers. To tackle these serious safety management issues, Simtops Inc., based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has unveiled a new feature called "Tool Check Mode" in its innovative field reporting system, i-Repo Scan.

Addressing Tool Management Challenges

Within these environments, confirming the status of tools before and after work is a crucial responsibility for safety management. If any tool is inadvertently left at the site, it poses major risks such as contamination accidents, equipment failures, workforce injuries, and even complete halts in production lines.

Despite the critical nature of this task, many workplaces still rely on manual checks and visual inspections, which often results in missed confirmations or incomplete records. This challenge is especially prevalent in settings where dozens of tools must be managed, adding to the burden on workers and increasing the risk of human error. Keeping accurate records in paper-based logs that detail "who checked what tool and when" can also be nearly impossible.

The development of the Tool Check Mode stemmed from feedback from companies already utilizing i-Repo Scan's precise bulk scanning capabilities, which highlighted the need for a more efficient method for verifying tool presence.

Features of Tool Check Mode

1. Visual Confirmation of Tool Presence

The Tool Check Mode leverages i-Repo Scan's high-precision bulk and continuous scanning abilities to specifically check for tools that are laid out on boards or in cases, verifying their presence with just one scan.

2. Verification via Barcodes

By placing barcodes (including QR codes) at tool storage locations, users can simply scan with i-Repo Scan to automatically confirm whether the tools are correctly positioned. If a tool is in place but its barcode cannot be read, it will indicate "Tool Present"; conversely, if the barcode scans appropriately, it will show "Tool Absent," visually differentiating between the two.

3. Simplistic Operation Focused on Tool Verification

The Tool Check Mode features a dedicated user interface designed solely for verifying the presence of tools. Operations unrelated to confirmation, such as changes in tool quantity, are not displayed, alleviating concerns about accidental errors during use. The result is a straightforward operation where users simply scan and confirm.

4. Seamless Integration with i-Reporter for Record Keeping

Scan results are directly exported to i-Reporter reports, allowing tool check records to be automatically accumulated as digital data. This generates a clear audit trail detailing who checked which tools at what time, enhancing their role as evidence in safety management initiatives.

About i-Repo Scan

I-Repo Scan functions as an optional feature within the field reporting system i-Reporter, enabling fast and accurate reading of multiple barcodes simultaneously. Utilizing the standard camera on iPhones or iPads, this system is capable of high-speed and high-precision barcode scanning. Incorporated with Scandit's advanced scanning technology, it supports various on-site operations needing barcode usage, such as inventory management, shipping and receiving, picking, and preventing operational errors.

With the introduction of the Tool Check Mode, the applications of i-Repo Scan extend beyond inventory management to include significant improvements in safety management. The evolution of i-Repo Scan as a versatile barcode scanning solution continues to address various operational challenges faced in the field.

Discover the Digital Evolution of Field Reporting with i-Reporter

I-Reporter is a leading field reporting system in Japan, utilized by over 4500 companies and more than 220,000 users. This platform enables the digitalization of familiar paper and Excel reports such as daily reports, inspection logs, and action check sheets without requiring programming knowledge.

Adopting i-Reporter leads to significant efficiency improvements, such as:

- Eliminating 200 minutes of paperwork organization each month
- Reducing analysis time from 15 days to just 2-3 minutes
- Lessening report management hours by 37.5 monthly

Additionally, the system can accurately record site conditions through photos, voice notes, and barcode inputs, achieving both real-time sharing and automation for improved operational efficiency and quality.

About Simtops Inc.

- Company Name: Simtops Inc.
- Headquarters: 2-25-2, Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021, Japan
- CEO: Takashi Mizuno
- Founded: October 1, 1991
- Capital: 165 million yen
- Sales (FY2024): 2.087 billion yen
- Employees: 94 (as of March 2026)

Business Focus:

- Development & sales of production scheduling and management systems for custom production.
- Development & sales of the no-code field reporting paperless solution, i-Reporter.
- Development & sales of various i-Repo family products/services.
- Development & sales of the BOP process editor, MPPCreator.

Simtops has been at the forefront of local production scheduling since 1991. We continuously leverage our extensive experience in building and operating production scheduling and process management systems to enhance our product offerings, including manufacturing solutions, IoT data collection, and electronic systems for field reports, facilitating digital transformations in businesses.