Essentials for Manufacturing ERP 

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software got its start as material requirements planning (MRP) systems, which focus on ensuring the right materials are available for production. Though ERP has its roots in manufacturing, it has expanded to include broad functionality appropriate for a wide range of organizations, from retail to government.  

For manufacturers, that means ERP can now go beyond production to encompass multiple facets, such as finances, sales and purchasing. However, that also means that not every software system will be a match. Some ERP platforms only includes generic features to fit any establishment, while others are specifically designed for retail and other industries. 

To find the right ERP for your manufacturing business, you’ll want to be on the lookout for some key features. We’re going over a list of a few essentials for manufacturing ERP solutions.  

Operational Visibility 

In manufacturing organizations, data is often siloed in several documents and applications, making it all but impossible to generate an accurate, cohesive view of the enterprise. With ERP, information throughout all these systems is compiled in a single solution, giving you full operational visibility.  

ERP gets rid of all the guesswork in your manufacturing practices. Users will always know what needs to be made and how to make it. An intuitive interface makes it easy to track a wealth of information across locations, including: 

• Inventory levels 
• Equipment KPIs 
• Lean metrics 
• Job status 
• Forecasts and data analytics 

ERP software translates raw data into actionable insights, giving you the real-time information you need to prevent errors, minimize downtime, improve processes and make decisions to drive business growth.  

Supply Chain Automation  

Manufacturing requires a high degree of precision and consistency. The slightest deviation can mean disaster for your bottom line and customer relationships. The job of ERP is to automate the supply chain to maintain uniformity and improve efficiency. This helps you reduce human error while giving employees more time to work on developing strategies rather than performing rote tasks. It also allows manufacturers to sustain productivity in a tight labor market.  

ERP comes with automated workflows out of the box as well as capabilities to intuitively design your own workflows to support specific processes. Some processes you can automate include: 

• Data collection 
• Part suggestions, quantities and suppliers 
• Employee payment 
• Delivery notification 
• Material replenishment 
• Production scheduling 
• Approvals 

ERP automation streamlines your supply chain from cradle to grave. This gives you greater accuracy and efficiency to reduce lead times, mistakes and costs.  

Production Control  

Transforming raw materials into products requires multiple factors to be in perfect alignment. ERP brings together people, processes and machines to give you nuanced production control. No matter how simple or complex your supply chain is, ERP can keep everything on time and on budget.  

Meeting customer demands and industry requirements requires a great deal of agility. Real-time information lets you make changes at a moment’s notice to prevent bottlenecks and errors. For example, if a customer modifies an order, managers are instantly alerted and able to adjust the schedule accordingly. These adjustments are reflected throughout the system to keep everyone informed. Additionally, detailed insights on costing, production performance and waste are always on hand to help you make the right decisions to improve manufacturing performance and cut expenses.  

For total production control, it’s critical to seek out an ERP solution that fits your industry. That way, you have software that includes relevant units of measure, processes and more from the package, so you can minimize customization.  

Wrap Up  

Not all ERP vendors have what it takes to support your manufacturing business. Epicor, however, has nearly 50 years of manufacturing expertise. With vertical-specific solutions and rich functionality, Epicor ERP is designed with manufacturers in mind. 

Datix is an Epicor Gold Partner that knows manufacturing inside and out. Our certified consultants have experience across several industries, giving us a deep understanding of what manufacturers need to succeed. From start to finish, our ERP experts will ensure you make the most of your software to optimize your business performance. 

Get the right ERP solution to drive manufacturing excellence. To learn more about Epicor ERP, download the Epicor Manufacturing Overview and contact Datix today!  

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