Abstract: A system for assisting operators in electronics manufacturing plants includes a processor, a data storage device coupled to the processor, and a display coupled to the processor, the processor configured to run monitoring software stored in the data storage device and adapted for being run on the processor. The system includes at least one monitoring device, such as a circuit panel magazine feeder monitoring device, a screen printer monitoring device, a component placement machine monitoring device, an oven monitoring device, or a magazine storage monitor device. An assembly line is also disclosed, as is a handheld device for an operator. Also provided is a method for operating an electronics assembly line comprising the steps of monitoring at least two of a screen printer, a first placement machine and a second placement machine so as to generate electronic task data, organizing the task data so as to form a list of tasks, and displaying the list of tasks.