A technology card is a document that describes the composition of a product and the sequence of its manufacturing. Components, stages, equipment, consumption rates — everything in one place. Without it, production runs “from memory”, and memory fails.

Why is Excel a trap for technology cards?

Most companies start with an Excel template. At first it’s convenient: a spreadsheet, formulas, printing. But over time, problems appear that turn a handy tool into a source of errors.

• Versions multiply. Someone copied the file, changed the recipe — and now there are two “correct” versions. Which one is current — nobody knows.
• No connection to inventory. The technology card says “need 2 kg of flour”, but the warehouse has 500 grams. You find out during production.
• Manual costing. You calculate costs separately, in another spreadsheet. Prices changed — forgot to recalculate. Margin “on paper” doesn’t match reality.
• Scaling is impossible. 10 cards in Excel are still manageable. 100 — chaos.

When do technology cards become critical?

There are industries where you simply can’t work without them. Here are the main ones:

• Manufacturing — from furniture to electronics. Each product has a specification, and a component error means defects.
• Food service — recipes with portioning standards, calorie counts, and finished dish yields. Health inspections require documentation.
• Service centers — equipment repair by protocol: which parts, how much time, what sequence.
• Construction — technological processes accounting for materials, equipment, and work sequences.

What does automation change for technology cards?

When a technology card lives in an ERP system rather than a separate file, capabilities appear that Excel simply cannot provide.

Inventory connection

Create a production order — the system automatically deducts components from inventory. See stock levels in real time, not after a stock-take.

Up-to-date costing

Component prices update automatically. Product cost recalculates instantly, without manual formulas.

Single source of truth

The technology card is linked to the product record. Changed the recipe — everyone sees it: production, warehouse, and accounting.

Templates for reuse

Created a card once — use it for every order. New employees work from ready-made instructions instead of asking colleagues “how was this done”.

How does it work in ERPJS?

In ERPJS, the technology card is part of the Production module. You create a card with unlimited components and stages, link it to a product, and the system handles everything automatically: inventory deductions, costing, document printing, export to Word, Excel, or PDF.

No need for separate spreadsheets for inventory, separate ones for recipes, separate ones for accounting. Everything in one system.

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