Manufacturing Solutions

The specific type of system you need depends on what kind of company you are, what problems you’re experiencing, or what objectives you set. Here are a few common situations in which buyers find themselves.

You’re looking to consolidate applications into a single system. This kind of buyer values the seamless integration of data and processes that comes from having one ERP software system for all functions. For example, it can be helpful to have a full-suite system for estimating, work-in-progress management and accounting so you can automatically turn an estimate into a budget for project management, and then match invoices to project status while allocating job costs. If you’re a large manufacturer, you should evaluate enterprise-level suites like SAP, Oracle, Sage ERP or Microsoft Dynamics AX. We recommend systems such as Epicor, NetSuite and MISys Manufacturing for small to mid-sized firms.

You run a subsidiary manufacturing division of a larger company. Businesses running from multiple locations need a way to stay tuned in to one another. Smaller subsidiaries will require a smaller, less robust system to complement the larger system used at the company’s main headquarters. You’re likely looking for a “two-tier ERP.” NetSuite, for example, is a good choice here because of its fast time to deployment, which is useful for a division that needs to get up and running with an ERP system quickly.

You need to improve one process (e.g., shop floor operations). Some buyers will find that they only need a single application, such as manufacturing resource planning software, to improve their production. If you’re in a small job shop industry like sheet metal fabrication, an efficient MRP system that can schedule the production of each customer’s order is key. Job shop specialities have a smaller scope, and need a solution that suits their focus. Exact JobBOSS and Casco ShopVue are good solutions here as they both offer strong MES and job shop control.

You’re a small manufacturer. Small manufacturers often spend too much time tracking information such as inventory in spreadsheets or by other manual means, which is prone to errors. You need an an automated system for small manufacturers that is more reliable than a “pen and paper” method of managing important data, and you are probably on a tight budget. A good solution here is Fishbowl—an affordable program that has the ability to integrate with QuickBooks, which is useful given that many small manufacturers are already using this program for their accounting needs.

You’re a job shop or process manufacturer with unique needs. General systems aren’t specialized enough for you. If you’re a process manufacturer, for instance, you may have difficulty with your bill of materials functionality. You’re the type of buyer who will rely heavily on a system that includes a strong inventory control feature that can adjust to many different kinds of units of measurement.

Be sure to keep in mind some of the points bellow. You want to cover as many of the angles as possible right out of the box. Rigidity is never good, and ability for customization should always factor highly in your decision.