See where work slows down and what to improve first
Operational problems rarely arrive with a clear label. They appear as late orders, repeated data entry, unclear priorities, machines waiting for information, quoting delays or people constantly chasing updates.
The Workflow and Bottleneck Review provides an outside view of how the work currently moves through your business. It separates the visible symptoms from the likely underlying causes and gives you a practical, ranked plan for what to address first.
The problems this review helps uncover
In a growing manufacturing business, information and responsibility often become fragmented as more orders, people and systems are added. Common symptoms include:
- Quotes, orders or production details being entered into more than one system.
- Jobs waiting between stages because the next person does not know they are ready.
- Priorities changing without the new plan reaching everyone involved.
- The office and production team working from different information.
- Operators or machines waiting for drawings, materials or instructions.
- Managers spending too much time chasing status updates.
- Spreadsheets and chat groups becoming unofficial parts of the operating system.
The underlying cause may be the process, ownership, information flow, software or a combination of several factors. The review helps identify which problem should be addressed first.
What the review is
This is a structured initial review designed to help you make a better decision about what to improve next.
Depending on your situation, we can examine the complete flow from enquiry to dispatch or focus on one problem area, such as quoting, order entry, production tracking, cutting preparation, stock or delivery.
The review is carried out by Pawel Jankowski, whose background covers production, warehousing, logistics, quoting, scheduling and building the operational systems that manufacturing teams use every day.
During the review, we map how work currently moves, identify where information or responsibility breaks down and determine which changes are likely to create the most useful improvement.
What you receive
Within one week, you receive a concise written report containing:
- A current-state map showing how the selected workflow operates today.
- The three to five most important bottlenecks, handover problems or information gaps.
- An explanation of the likely operational impact of each issue, based on the information available.
- Quick improvements that can be introduced with little or no software development.
- A ranked recommendation for what to address first.
- A sensible next step, whether that is a process change, a standard product, a system integration or a focused custom build.
The report is yours to use. You can implement the recommendations internally, with another provider or with Apslo.
How the remote review works
1. Initial information
Before the call, you complete a short questionnaire and, where useful, share examples such as spreadsheets, job documents, screenshots or workflow notes.
2. Workflow session
We hold a two to three-hour video call with the people who understand or manage the selected process. You walk us through how the work happens today, including the exceptions and workarounds that are not documented.
3. Analysis and report
We organise the findings, map the workflow and rank the most important issues. Your written report is delivered within one week.
4. Findings call
We hold a short follow-up call to explain the findings, answer questions and discuss the recommended next step.
Remote reviews work particularly well for quoting, order processing, information flow, handovers, production visibility and system integration.
When the suspected problem depends heavily on physical layout, movement, machine utilisation or working methods on the floor, an on-site review may provide better evidence. If that applies, we will explain why and agree the scope and cost before proceeding.
What it costs
- €450 for Ireland and the UK
- 1,900 zł for Poland
Prices are net. If you begin an Apslo implementation within 60 days, the full review fee is credited toward that work.
Who the review is for
The review is a good fit for manufacturing businesses that:
- Have several jobs or orders moving through the business at once.
- Experience recurring delays, repeated work or unclear responsibilities.
- Depend heavily on spreadsheets, whiteboards, email or chat groups.
- Have information split between the office, production floor and existing software.
- Know that something needs improving but are not yet certain what should be changed first.
- Want an independent view before investing in software or a larger improvement project.
The review may not be the right service if:
- One person manages the entire workflow comfortably and there is little coordination between people or departments.
- You already know exactly what needs to be built and only require implementation.
- You need a formal engineering study, compliance audit or detailed time-and-motion analysis.
- You need a full ERP selection and procurement exercise.
- The immediate problem is a machine fault or another specialist technical issue.
If you are unsure, contact us first. We will tell you whether the review is a sensible use of your time and money.
What may happen next
The review may recommend:
- A process or responsibility change your team can implement internally.
- A standard software product that already solves the problem.
- A Quoting System for pricing, product configuration and order creation.
- A Production Board Setup for live job and production visibility.
- A System Integration connecting the tools you already use.
- A Custom Build for a workflow that requires a focused tool or wider operational system.
There is no requirement to continue with Apslo. The report belongs to you either way.
Common questions
How much of our time is required?
Usually two to three hours for the main workflow session, plus a short follow-up call. We may also ask for example documents or screenshots before the session.
Do you need to visit our site?
Not always. Reviews of quoting, information flow, order processing and production visibility can usually be completed remotely. If the problem depends on physical movement, workstation layout, machine utilisation or working practices, we may recommend an on-site review.
Is the price fixed?
Yes. The remote Workflow and Bottleneck Review costs €450 or 1,900 zł. Any on-site work would be discussed and priced separately before it is arranged.
What if the answer is not software?
Then the report will recommend a process, ownership or working-method change instead. The purpose of the review is to identify the right next step.
Do we have to continue with Apslo?
No. The report belongs to you and can be implemented internally or with another provider.