Job shop manufacturers have found that it is critical to run their operations on a high quality, state-of-the-art, and fully integrated ERP software package to be become more automated and streamlined. A system that allows each user to be more efficient and productive will prove to be a valuable asset and help increase company profits. ERP software is fully integrated and data is generally stored in a secure, central location, eliminating the need for data to be entered more than once over multiple software packages that cannot communicate. A system of this ability, with total integration and automation from quoting to invoicing, ensures that any company’s most unique business processes can be handled with ease.

ERP system

Why would anyone manufacturer anything today without an ERP system? (Part 3 of 3)

As important as the ERP system itself is, the reputation and capabilities of the software provider are of equal or greater importance. This isn’t just some purchase. It is a major investment and the beginning of a long and, hopefully beneficial relationship. So there are several important factors to consider when choosing your solution provider:

Industry experience: Choose a provider with many years of industry experience, a variety of customers and extensive market knowledge. The longer a company has been around, the more changes they have responded to.

Flexibility and scalability: A business system must be flexible enough to suit your unique business needs, as no two businesses are alike, not even in the same industry. Software also needs to grow as your business does so that it will still be useful to your business several years into the future. The ability for the software to integrate with machining and other systems is also important.

Full integration: When the entire business is integrated in one system, a complete, real-time picture of the operation is always available. Scheduling is more precise and customer service is improved. In addition, inventory, accounting and HR functions should also be integrated, improving efficiency.
Continual investment in the software: Technology and business change, so software must keep up. The software provider must be vested in continually enhancing the product so that it remains current.

Training: This is one of the most important factors to take into consideration. Training should be available from those who know the software best to help you get the most benefit from your investment. Training should not end after implementation, but should be available to help you continually improve your knowledge and to learn new features and improvements. A variety of training options (onsite, online, user conferences, etc.) that suit your needs should also be available.

Partnerships: A company that holds partnerships with other companies that can provide further services to customers is a definite bonus. As you require after-market services to further refine your processes, having products available that readily integrate with your business system is much more successful than having to research and integrate those services on your own.

The good news is that job shop manufacturers have a wide array of ERP systems available to them to deliver these benefits. And now that many manufacturers are turning to Cloud ERP, also knows as on-demand ERP or Software as a Servce (SaaS), the cost and complexity of making the move to ERP are lower than ever.