Why You Should Explore Industry-Specific ERP Now

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a software solution that integrates core business processes and functions into a single, unified platform. By investing in an ERP system for manufacturing, your organization can achieve better resource management, increase end-to-end visibility, enable better decision-making, and enhance collaboration across departments. In highly competitive, constantly changing markets, maintaining this level of end-to-end efficiency is essential.

Across your manufacturing business, an ERP system serves as a central hub for managing everything from your supply chain and inventory to production scheduling and customer orders.

The best ERP solutions are modular, allowing you to adopt extra features as the needs of your business evolve. Some common modules offered by leading providers include warehouse management, order management, inventory management, supply chain management, and business intelligence.

Thanks to its customizable approach, you can tailor your ERP system to align with your budgets and the demands of the company.

 

What are the Benefits of an ERP System?

ERP solutions help your business thrive in several key areas throughout the organization:

· Enhanced Visibility

ERP technologies represent a more efficient alternative to disparate software solutions. Instead of adopting a separate application for your warehouse management, order processing, supply chain management, and other business tasks, you can implement an ERP system that brings together a big-picture, unified view of all daily operations.

That information will then allow you to efficiently pinpoint the root cause of challenges and resolve them to improve productivity.

· Collaboration

Separate applications make it difficult to get your finance, sales, and production teams on the same page. However, under an ERP model, each department can readily share insights and work together to achieve better outcomes.

With everyone working from the same ecosystem, finding information and tackling joint projects becomes far easier.

· Scalability

Cloud-based ERP technologies offer near-limitless scalability. You can requisition more computing power and data from the cloud in an instant, all while adding new users and adopting new modules as the company grows.

ERP solutions also offer predictable and consistent costs, taking the guesswork out of managing your IT budget and freeing up capital for other potential opportunities.

· Efficiency

The best ERP platforms offer automation capabilities, which can lead to improved efficiency, increased productivity, and reduced operational costs.

· Customer Satisfaction

Moving from legacy tech to an ERP system in manufacturing means you’ll modernize the entire customer journey. By enabling faster order processing, on-time deliveries, and personalized service, ERP systems enhance customer satisfaction and boost loyalty.

· Agility

ERP systems offer the agility and flexibility needed to adapt to changing market dynamics.

With all your core business data in one place, you can easily run predictive analytics in order to  better understand the ebbs and flows of your industry.

 

Standard ERP vs. Manufacturing ERP: What’s the Difference?

A standard ERP solution offers broad functionality to support various industries. These platforms typically include general accounting, order processing, and reporting tools.

An ERP system in manufacturing, though sharing all of these basic capabilities, also offers industry-specific modules and features, such as bill of materials (BOM) management, production planning, and more.

Manufacturing ERP technology also offers greater integration capabilities, allowing you to connect the platform with your equipment and automation systems. This allows you to easily receive real-time information about machine-level productivity, which in turn supports your preventive maintenance strategy.

Perhaps most important, an ERP system in manufacturing places a strong emphasis on supply chain management, including supplier relationship optimization, procurement, inventory control, and demand forecasting. Increasing your visibility into these partnerships helps you forge stronger connections with key suppliers while creating a more resilient business.

 

Which ERP Should You Choose for Manufacturing?

Choosing the right ERP solution for your manufacturing business depends on various factors, including your industry niche, business size, specific requirements, and budget.

During your search for an ERP platform, it’s important to seek out options that offer process-specific tools and applications, scalability, and customization.

Epicor, a leading provider of ERP technology, offers tailored solutions for various types of manufacturing, including:

  1. Make-to-Order (MTO) Manufacturing
  2. Discrete Manufacturing
  3. Process Manufacturing

Our solutions offer a high degree of personalization, increasing time to value and helping improve your return on investment.

Ready to Learn More?

At Epicor, we offer a dynamic array of technologies and resources designed to help manufacturing clients like you realize your productivity goals.

Let’s discuss work together on your journey toward greater scalability, efficiency, and growth. 

Christine Hansen
Director, Product Marketing

Christine Hansen serves as the Director of Product Marketing at Epicor, where she applies over 20 years of industry expertise to drive inventive solutions for the manufacturing sector. She holds BAs in Spanish and business administration from Augsutana College (SD) and is based in Minneapolis, MN.

Read More by Christine Hansen