Manufacturing ERP

Discrete Manufacturing ERP

Discrete manufacturing ERP software is roughly defined as manufacturing ERP software designed to facilitate discrete, as opposed to flow or process manufacturing.

What are these manufacturing approaches, how do they differ, and how can ERP software increase the efficiency of the discrete manufacturing process in particular?

First: Flow, or JIT (just-in-time) manufacturing describes he leanest and most efficient form of product production, in which materials, machinery, labor and parts are deployed only in response to specific customer orders, and each order is processed as it is received. This is an efficient process as long as the production facility involved is designed in accordance with the principles of lean manufacturing.

Second: Process manufacturing is characterized by the lack of interruption during the completion of a product run, or between product runs producing similar items. This approach is most often employed to produce batches of similar items, like food, medication, wine, or refined substances like oil. This approach is used in situations that require a high degree of control over ingredients and finished products that are homogenous and measured out in assigned quantities for packaging.

Third: Discrete manufacturing is an approach usually taken to items that are produced using a product (rather than process) layout. This means that the item, as it is assembled, remains figuratively stationary and the processes required for manufacture are carried to it. A product layout is employed for large items with many stages of assembly, such as ships, cars, or large appliances. The more complex the product layout, the more likely the role of discrete manufacturing, whereby components are separately assembled and brought to the manufacturing destination in complete or semi-complete form.

An easy way to remember the difference between discrete and process manufacturing is to consider the differences between finished products produced by both methods. Process manufacturing produces “stuff”, measured by weight or volume, such as paint, flour, or pills. Product manufacturing produces “things”, such as bicycles, washing machines, and cars.

Discrete manufacturing ERP systems are deployed to coordinate sub-assembly, as well as order processing, bills of material, routing and the management of engineering changes. With discrete manufacturing ERP software in place, the assembly of discrete products can be scheduled and stages of production can be tracked and controlled. Discrete manufacturing ERP software can also manage the costing of finished products. Part number and serial number tracking are more efficiently managed with discrete manufacturing ERP software, as are the logistics involving order fulfillment and distribution. 

Enterprise resource planning products are available with industry specific capabilities that are designed to handle discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing and complex hybrids of both models. Industry specific features are in high demand, and ERP applications for all three manufacturing designations are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Written by :

tracey boxer