ERP Module

Introducing the Supply Chain Management ERP Module

The Supply Chain Management or SCM Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP module is usually a valuable commodity for manufacturers.  An SCM ERP module is used throughout a manufacturer’s production process.  Some steps included in a production process are:
•    Planning
•    Execution
•    Inventory
•    Forecasting
•    Demand Planning
•    Asset Management
•    Reporting
•    Logistics
•    Delivery
•    Raw Material Management
•    Returns Processing

Planning involves resource and raw material management.  Planning and execution involves monitoring the supply chain process and making sure the system is cost effective, efficient and meets quality control standards.  It’s important to keep an inventory of goods and services received, made, and shipped.  Forecasting and demand planning are essential to ensure manufacturers don’t have too much product on hand or not enough.  Logistics or delivery is the process where finished goods or services are transported or distributed to the buyer.   Returns processing is a necessity to manage defective goods or services returned by the buyer.

Some popular Enterprise Resource Planning vendors with SCM ERP modules are:
•    SAP
•    Oracle
•    Microsoft
•    Infor
•    Epicor

All SCM ERP modules vary by vendor.   Some SCM solutions are scalable and built for any size business while others are built for specific sized businesses (small, medium or enterprise).   It’s also typical for a vendor’s SCM ERP module to be suited for a specific industry.  For example, Epicor’s SCM module is best suited for the following industries:
•    Automotive
•    Electronics
•    Consumer Goods
•    Food and Beverage
•    Pharmaceuticals

There are several Supply Chain Management ERP modules on the market today.  Some must be purchased with an entire Enterprise Resource Planning solution while others can be purchased independently.  When exploring SCM solutions for your business, make sure you like the user-interface, the functionality provided, and the method in which the solution is delivered.  For example, a Supply Chain Management ERP module may be delivered as an on-site solution or as a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution.  Besides proprietary Supply Chain Management solutions, there are also open source solutions.  Open source Supply Chain Management solutions are free and can be downloaded from the vendor’s website.   On-site proprietary, open source and SaaS SCM solutions all have their advantages and disadvantages.  And, typically one type of solution will work best for each manufacturer.

Written by :

kristine H