ERP Software Protects Your Supply Chain 

As supply chains grow more complex and global, the risk of extending lead times, running out of stock, delaying deliveries or halting production increases exponentially. But there is a way to protect your supply chain from these challenges: an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation. ERP software is designed to give you control over even the most complicated supply chains by automating processes and expanding insight. Below, we explain three ways that ERP mitigates supply chain risk.  

Supplier Trust 

Globalization has enabled manufacturers to access raw materials at lower costs, but working with foreign suppliers also introduces uncertainty into the supply chain. It’s hard enough to manage the quality and efficiency of your internal processes, let alone an external supplier. That’s why you need to seek out an ERP system that will help you find the best suppliers for your specific requirements. 

Epicor ERP includes a Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) module to address this issue. The system allows you to sort request for quotation (RFQ) criteria—such as lead-time, price, quality rating, ISO certification and on-hand inventory—to give you the right supplier for your materials. Additionally, Epicor tracks lead time and delivery to produce a detailed receipt of supplier performance history. These tools enable users to find the ideal partners for their business without wasting time.   

On-Time Deliveries 

With customer expectations at an all-time high, manufacturers and distributors can’t afford to tarnish their brand by delaying deliveries. Unfortunately, supply chain complexity makes it difficult for managers to pinpoint interruptions, resulting in a pattern of late or inaccurate order fulfillment that goes unresolved.  

ERP is designed to automate processes throughout your supply chain to facilitate efficiency and precision. But to fully streamline production and delivery, you need a solution designed for a variety of modes and techniques. After all, few organizations manage only just-in-time (JIT) production or make-to-stock (MTS) processes. Most companies merge different techniques to meet their distinct business needs. 

After over 45 years of creating manufacturing and distribution solutions, Epicor understands the unique qualities of each client. The system supports make-to-order (MTO), configure-to-order (CTO), MTS and other production processes with built-in flexibility, so businesses can utilize the exact tools they need to refine their strategies. Its sophisticated Kanban tools enable pull production and automate material replenishment. Utilizing advanced predictive analytics and forecasting technology, the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system will order the precise quality and quantity of supplies to fulfill customer demand.  

With this functionality in place, businesses can streamline their specific processes, so that every product is made in line with customer demand and delivered right on time.  

Global Visibility  

Broken machinery at one of your production sites, poor inventory lot tracking at an off-shore warehouse, unknown status of raw materials—a plethora of problems can plague a global enterprise, especially when you lack visibility into the distinct operations of each location. An ERP instance should include the scalability and functionality to fuel end-to-end visibility, no matter how far-flung your operations are. 

There’s a reason that businesses from over 150 countries trust Epicor. Its user-friendly modules facilitate insight across your entire enterprise. From a single login, users have access to updated data, orders, reports and more throughout every site. Raw material forecasts are automatically sent to suppliers around the world and can be transported into an MRP forecast to ensure that production lines are never started without all the necessary materials. Epicor’s scalable infrastructure removes barriers to global business success, empowering visibility and automating processes no matter how many servers and databases make up your organization.  

Wrap Up 

Don’t let the added complexity of modern supply chains slow down your business. ERP software provides users with the agility to manage even the most far-flung operations with finesse. Epicor proves particularly adept at handling an array of manufacturing and distribution needs. With its comprehensive modules and flexibility, the system can powerfully transform your supply chain to meet growing consumer demands. 

To help you get the most from your ERP software, team up with the expert consultants at Datix. Datix is an Epicor Platinum Partner with over 20 years of experience in providing manufacturing and distribution solutions. We manage implementations, integrations, upgrades and more from start to finish, working closely with our clients to optimize their processes. Reach out to us today to learn more about our enterprise software solutions and services! 

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