ERP Systems

Automotive ERPs Aren’t Only for the Big Boys

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems were organically developed for big boys, meaning large fortune 500 companies.  Today however, ERP systems have been scaled down to suit the needs of small to mid-size businesses.  Enterprise Resource Planning vendors that make automotive ERP solutions are adapting their software to meet small and mid-size automotive manufacturers.

All automotive manufacturers, large or small, aim to reduce their time to market.  A rapid time to market enables them to stay in the competitive automotive game.  Automotive manufacturers need efficient supply chains and plant floor production needs to run as smooth as butter to accomplish quick turnaround.

There are several ERP vendors that create automotive software.  Microsoft Dynamics has a comprehensive automotive ERP solution.  The advantages of this ERP solution include; forecasting abilities, lean manufacturing capabilities, customer relationship management, and supplier/vendor management.  IFS Applications makes an automotive ERP solution for mid-size to large companies.  ABB’s automotive ERP solution provides functionality for automotive manufacturers and automotive components. IGMS makes an automotive ERP called EnterpriseIQ.  EnterpriseIQ enables you to perform real-time manufacturing.  FactoryMaster makes an ERP for the automotive industry.  This ERP has traceability functionality, Just in Time (JIT) production functionality, drawing tracking and version control functionality, customer part tracking functionality, and more.  Oracle has become quite a player in the automotive ERP market.  Their Release Management module, Order Management module, and Shipping Execution module have been improved to suit automotive industry needs.  Of course because Oracle is in the automotive industry, SAP must play along.  SAP has a product called Rapid Planning Matrix that works wonder for automotive folks.  They also have a Packaging Logistics module that suits automotive suppliers.

With all these options, the automotive businesses are sitting pretty.  They get their cake and can eat it too, so to speak.  Enterprise Resource Planning vendors realize they can make big bucks going after the automotive industry, so they are going to do what they can to make automotive folks happy.  We’ll probably see a rise in the amount of automotive ERP vendors as they all fight for their piece of the automotive pie.

Recently the declining economy has brought several automotive businesses to their knees.  Automotive folks need to be at the top of their game.  Automotive Enterprise Resource Planning solutions can help do just this.  So, all you automotive folks out there put on your big boy pants and get yourself an automotive ERP.

Written by :

kristine H