March 12, 2018 Filling in the ERP Gap

Over the past couple of decades, businesses have started utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in order to manage transactions and data over the totality of their supply chain. ERP systems have been able to provide transparency and valuable insights into transaction-level information along the supply chain, enabling the business to make smart choices in terms of workflow, products, and production. However, new applications called ERP-connected applications are being developed to go further and do the jobs that ERP systems often miss. These applications increase the amount and effectiveness of supply chain analysis that executives can use to make decisions that have profound positive impact on the organization.

Handling Supply Chain Differences

Supply chains vary from company to company, with some executives viewing their supply chain operations as simply “utilities” meant to function without effort or investment. This kind of company generally just relies on following industry best practices, including implementing bare bones ERP to determine their supply chain operations, otherwise known as the “follow the leader” philosophy. However, some companies think of their supply chain functions as an opportunity to create an edge over the competition by supplementing their ERP with expansive software tools.

Reducing Schedule Delays

Schedule delays can potentially cripple a small company, and often the cause of these delays can be blamed on a partially integrated ERP system. The consequence of these ERP glitches is a disconnect in organization and communication between resources, employees and departments. This issue is often the result of faulty implementations of an ERP system that is not designed to anticipate the operations of another department. However, there are tools and software that fill this gap and reduce the frequency and impact of schedule delays.

Avoiding Manual Reporting

ERP solutions are meant to streamline business processes, but when you have to generate reports manually, these solutions become ineffective. Supplemental tools enable you to enter data into the system automatically, to calculate and design reports determined by the criteria you specify.

Integrated Solution Success

Using an integrated solution to the ERP system allows the business to fulfill orders and gain a competitive edge while maintaining the value of centralized data and the capacity to effectively handle transactions. But the strengths of ERP can also be supplemented in areas outside of order fulfillment using the flexible power of business optimization tools and processes. Companies can enhance their ERP capabilities through techniques that include integrating data collection, tracking product through serialization and kitting, increasing OEE (overall equipment effectiveness, and streamlining warehouse activity through task scheduling.

To find out more about how you can fill the productivity gaps in your ERP and help your business run more efficiently contact the experts at Radley today.

Subscribe to Industry Today