ABOUT

Small tools for the factory floor

TraceBench is a free utility from SmartFACT: Smart Factory using AI, operated by Obsidian Black Ltd. It helps you follow a lot, serial number or shipment through one or two CSV files you already export, such as production and despatch records, with the row behind every link and the gaps shown.

It is useful on its own. Loading files, tracing, saving, backups and every download are free, with no account, trial or email address required. The tool does not call an AI service: reading files and following recorded links are ordinary, predictable software.

What it is, and is not

TraceBench is a reading of the records you load, within the coverage you declare for them. It links records only where a row states the relationship or where you confirm a pair or declare a shared numbering, never because codes, dates, descriptions or row order look alike, and it does not allocate or reconcile quantities. A result says what the files record; it is not a recall decision, a quality release or proof of what physically happened. There are no recall, hold, stock or customer-notification actions, and no connection to an ERP or any other system. One person works on a project at a time, on one device. TraceBench works locally, and transferring a project directly to LotTrail is not available.

The workbench

ScannerBench shows exactly what a keyboard scanner sends. PrintBench checks that a printer reproduces a known PDF at the right size. CardBench creates 100 × 50 mm bin and rack cards. CountBench counts stock by location and compares it with a stock file. BarcodeBench explains what a barcode contains, including GS1 data and check digits. ManifestBench checks scanned carton or pallet IDs against a manifest. CycleBench times work cycles and changeovers on one phone. FeedBench inspects, maps and compares factory CSV and JSON files. FindBench finds a scanned code's description and locations in your own CSV file. MatchBench checks whether a scanned label matches a reference scan. TagBench makes clear review tags for items, machines and locations. OffcutBench labels the offcuts on one rack and finds a piece long enough before you cut new stock. When tracing becomes regular work for a quality team, LotTrail, the first of the SmartFACT services below, keeps declared sources, reviewed identity links and retained evidence together.

Help and support

The tool's TraceBench Help and practice link opens guided lessons that run the real tool on made-up files, and Try an example loads example production and despatch files to trace. The privacy notice explains what TraceBench keeps and where. TraceBench has no problem-report button: to report a defect or ask for help, use the SmartFACT support form, and to suggest an improvement, use the feedback form. Describe what happened with made-up codes where you can, and review any report or backup before you share it. Help with the tool is free; there is no guaranteed response time, and bespoke integration work is a separate paid service.