For any manufacturing company to actively compete, it must be able to maximize productivity and workflow. Manufacturing businesses that have full control and a complete overview of all operations, are ones with the visibility and power to diminish costs, increase profitability and make informed strategic decisions.

Many manufacturing companies are turning to ERPs for greater efficiency and a boost to their competitive advantage. An integrated ERP system can manage all aspects of your workflow and costs. In the complex world of manufacturing, businesses have many moving parts. The greater the complexity, the more employees involved in a processes, the more margin for error. Conversely, the greater the opportunity for optimization and innovation.

Automating specific manufacturing tasks  

ERPs automate specific tasks in the manufacturing environment, providing management with the business intelligence needed to make informed decisions. By automating tasks, manufacturing companies also reduce their dependence on manual processes. This accelerates the production process, minimizes errors and improves productivity. A complete ERP drives automation for manufacturing companies, ensuring the wheels keep on turning.

Streamlining processes, reducing cost  

In a competitive manufacturing environment, a major reason for deploying an ERP is cost reduction. Robust ERP solutions which automate processes allow manufacturing companies to reduce overall operational costs. Increasing employee productivity through automation minimizes labour expenses and enhanced precision reduces production costs. Additionally, the ability to track inventory accurately eliminates excess inventory and warehousing costs.   

Data in a centralised database gives complete visibility of all functionalities and allows business processes to be streamlined increasing efficiency. This includes development, design, inventory, procurement, production, finance, sales, delivery and more. Streamlined processes increases efficiency and helps companies maintain their customer commitments.

Strategic decision making and respond to market conditions quicker 

A comprehensive ERP solution also provides manufacturing companies with strategic decision-making capabilities. ERP systems provide real time data analysis helping businesses estimate, plan, adjust and respond to market demands and capitalise on customers purchasing trends. A 360-degree view into all operations provides managers with thorough insights into all business processes, helping make informed, quicker decisions, aligned to business goals.

Supply chain visibility  

Excellent supply chain management is crucial to success, hence control and visibility are mission critical. Should your supply chain fail, the follow-on effects can be catastrophic for a manufacturing business. A sophisticated ERP solution allows manufacturers to have a complete view into every aspect of your supply chain allowing you to make decisions in real time, based off accurate data.

Overall strategic advantages of an ERP allow manufacturing companies to:  

• Identify bottlenecks in the supply chain and production processes 
• Identify problematic areas of workflow and address them  
• With a 360-degree view, it is easier to configure the whole plant for maximum productivity.
• Reduce costs by automating tasks and streamlining processes.
• Maximize the productivity of your plants giving far greater operational insight.
• Enhance overall customer satisfaction by improving on-time delivery of products, a critical performance metric.

Interested in exploring the benefits of an ERP for your manufacturing business? Get in contact with us today for a free no-obligation chat.   

Source: ERP Focus