The good news is that the manufacturing sector is seeing an increase in demand, production and, ultimately, profits. As the global economy strengthens, this is driving consumer demand at the same time as we are seeing product specialisation and reshoring trends across the sector.
However, these opportunities do come with their challenges, not least for those companies whose key business applications like their ERP or supply chain management have not been modernised to keep up with the pace of change.
As Business Computing World said in a recent article about modern ERP systems:
“Outdated ERP can leave you dangerously out of touch. A lack of available business information can become a significant problem, no matter how many spreadsheets and workarounds have been developed”.
In their guide to Infor Manufacturing Software Guide, Infor provides some guidance to businesses looking for a new ERP system or making the decision to upgrade their existing application.
Has a flexible achitecture
In a face-paced business environment, Infor argues that “the ability to easily integrate legacy or third-party solutions has become essential”. They also point out that systems should be able to accommodate new, disruptive technologies within their architecture, such as 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and telemetry.
An ERP system, Infor says, “needs to easily accommodate new functionality and technologies”. The fact that Infor’s LX and BPCS applications are IBM i-based has enabled Proximity to integrate both new functionality and technologies into the systems.
We have, for instance, delivered intuitive (and perhaps most importantly, collaborative) sales order management via web, tablet or mobile device using Stream for Infor BPCS application, which makes it easier for their non-EDI customers to do business with them.
Further information about delivering web-based sales order processing on Infor BPCS and Infor LX (or other IBM i-based ERP systems can be found here.
Easily and rigorously accommodates regulatory mandates, reporting requirements, and recall practices specific to your industry
By choosing the right system for your industry, you can avoid the cost and hassle of customising to get KPIs, reports, and data that meet your needs.
Infor LX and BPCS for instance, are specialist ERP solutions for the process, discrete and mixed-mode manufacturing sectors.
Supports specific manufacturing processes and unique modes of operation
As Infor states, the days of mass production are gone, and companies today need to offer more customised products quickly in order to meet market demands. Infor says that companies should look for an ERP system ‘that can support the manufacturing processes you need to meet the demand for customised products’.
Presents information and functionality in a clear, concise format
It is important that businesses are able to meet both customer and internal user expectations when it comes to software systems. Users now expect the same highly intuitive user interfaces (UI) as they experience on their mobile devices.
Communicated seamlessly with various data sources within your enterprise and across your extended supply chain
To integrate business-critical data across multiple systems throughout the supply chain, Infor argues that businesses need powerful middleware that joins these systems seamlessly.
Intuitive UI, the ability to collaborate with external customers and seamless communication across multiple systems were just three of the drivers behind the sales order management for Infor BPCS project for AB World Foods.
With the global market for ERP software to exceed $14 million by 2020, the demand for applications that meet the needs of organisations does not appear to be slowing.
To discuss your process, discrete and mixed-mode manufacturing ERP requirement, why not contact us?
Posted by Paul on 10th June 2015.