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An Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERP) system integrates and runs all aspects of your business, from tracing raw materials, supply chain management, financial controls, and more. This system allows you to identify where resources are being wasted, eliminate inefficiencies, improve customer relations, and enable live collaboration. Running your manufacturing process using an ERP system will transform the way you manage your business. Here are some tips on how you can make the most of your ERP system.
Enhance Your Strategies with Big Data Analytics
Having a plan is only part of your success as a business —the rest depends on your team’s ability to execute that plan. If everyone in your business understands and works to your objectives, you’ll start seeing the profit. A quality ERP system can translate boardroom ideas into actionable directives using one platform. You will be able to see all your operational planning from one place, so making decisions will be easier than ever. While manufacturers are another option, an ERP system works much faster as it is not limited by manual or legacy reporting tools. It closes the loop to allow constant efficiency by including analytics from big data, which can be used to inform and feed back into your strategy. By implementing real-time big data through this system, you can cut out inefficient manual reporting and reduce the time it takes to receive and use vital information.
Automate Your Supply Chain
Do you want to improve transparency between your manufacturer and their suppliers, while also giving your customers better visibility as they await new products and deliveries? An ERP system can help when you integrate it with your supply chain management. It allows you to track order status, define specifics about items, have clarity that can prevent costly mistakes and penalties, and much more. Additionally, automation eliminates a huge factor in quality issues—human error. As a result, you’re free to focus on more exciting parts of your job, like customer relationships, sales, marketing, and brainstorming new projects.
Optimize Inventory and Warehouse Management
Materials management and product inventory are two sides of inventory management. The first part deals with ensuring your organization has the right materials to complete the manufacturing process. The second part deals with the products created through the manufacturing process, and how they are delivered to customers. If both parts do not work in harmony, you will face many challenges including difficulty gaining the appropriate materials on time, incorrect product levels, and challenges with satisfying orders. An ERP system allows optimum visibility of processes such as billing of materials, tracking materials, and inventory management. Issues in these areas are damaging to your business. It’s not enough to stock up on goods that take up valuable warehouse space. You need to know exactly what materials should occupy that space, based on what customers are looking for on your online store. An ERP system will enable you to see this valuable information automatically, as it changes. This system can reduce human errors, automate inventory requirements, and ensure that you can do your job properly.
Streamline Collaboration with Customers and Suppliers
Another benefit about using an ERP system is that it can optimize procedures and significantly improve response times. As a result, virtual communication across the supply chain and internal communication will be improved, which has a positive impact on collaborating across your business. These close collaborations can address and resolve problems in a timely fashion. A quick response to change is what customers are looking for. If you provide valuable information with satisfaction, you will do a better job at leveraging business opportunities.
Product Configuration
Product producers must be able to stand up to their competition to stay afloat. The product configuration modules that an ERP system offers can help manufacturing companies track and manage orders, make accurate quotes, manage prices, manage distribution, and much more. This important aspect of ERP systems has many benefits including the following:
- Reducing time to market
- Decreasing inventory levels
- Increasing productivity
- Decreasing transaction costs
Boost Global Communication
Aside from automation, an ERP system can also increase your efficiency. To improve your time to market, you can give your entire supply chain access to relevant information such as product deadlines, and shipping instructions. These can be provided in real time to your global locations, suppliers, customers, internal stakeholders, and more.
Get Help Managing Your Manufacturing with Lean Supply Solutions
There are endless benefits of using a single system to manage all your supply chain operations. Studies have shown that companies that implement an ERP system end up achieving greater operational improvements than those who don’t. If you want cost savings, increased efficiency, and a thriving company, an ERP system may be the solution you need. Working with a 3PL partner who provides these solutions can be a time-saving way for you to reap these benefits.
Lean Supply Solutions can help you if you are looking for a 3PL company with the latest technology. We make ourselves aware of the rising trends in the logistics industry and always strive to stay up to date. We commit to being aware of our clients’ operational challenges as they arise and help them get the most out of their supply chain processes. Our 3PL, packaging, and supply chain management can streamline your processes for better success, and by striving to ensure that the right products are provided to the right customers at the right time, we can offer consistent, accurate, and quality results. To learn more about outsourcing to our 3PL distribution team, or to ask any questions, contact us today.
