The Essential Features of an ERP for Manufacturing Industry

In case you are on the verge of taking a call on whether to implement an ERP system for your business or simply thinking in terms of up gradation of existing systems, it is easy to be bewildered by the plethora of options available. This holds true especially for ERP for Manufacturing Industry as this segment is catered to by a number of players.

 But all things not being equal, it is only natural that some ERPs will tend to suit your business activities more than others specifically when you consider particular fields in which the activity of manufacturing takes place. You need to pay attention to how the ERP looks after the control of production, how it enables adherence to stringent levels of quality. It should also effectively manage inventory and materials. Comparatively larger business may have a number of plants and operate from several sites. Do consider process manufacturing vis-à-vis discrete manufacturing. Your ERP needs to effectively govern all of these.

The manufacturing sector in India is projected to reach the US $1 trillion by the year 2025. It is expected that 25 to 30 % of the GDP of the country would come from manufacturing and would create about 90 million jobs. So, manufacturing is a sector that has a large potential for your business. And to optimize your operations you need an ERP. Here are the essentials you want in such a software.

Shop Floor Control or Management

By virtue of shop floor control, you get a database of all the activities going on, on the shop floor in real-time. Such activities are inclusive of new work or work in progress and work that has already been completed. Throughout the variety of processes undergone during the manufacturing, you get real-time feedback that enables you to respond promptly to emerging issues.

MRP or Materials Planning and Costing

This lets you forecast or schedule products. It comes up with a comprehensive material plan which gives you detailed information on the quantity and the delivery schedule of all the necessary components.

EDI or Electronic Data Interchange

This digital process facilitates the invoicing processes, order entry and even goes to the extent of looking after the shipping notice process with granular precision. Conventional filings and forms in the paper medium are made obsolete. Transmission of data is made instantaneous rather than through the mail.

Management of Quality

By management of quality, manufacturers are able to keep an eye on the quality of products produced by the process of manufacturing.

Kanban or Lean

These terms refer to the system of communication that regulates the shop flow and keeps the production levels and customer demand in sync with each other.

Manufacturing ERP modules have numerous features that cater to the diverse needs of a manufacturing business. The list of features above does not form a comprehensive overview but only form the barebone must-have features. It is quite probable that your manufacturing niche absolutely needs a feature not mentioned above. Do your own research and remember the keyword of “Caveat Emptor” or “Let the Buyer Beware.”

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Tips for Implementation of Best CRM for Small Business

Implementation of a CRM demands an in-sync organization. Official guidelines should already be in place. Personal involvement is also often a necessity. The project manager needs to be capable. Internal communication is required to be up to the mark.The following tips should serve small businesses well while implementing an affordable or free CRM software in India.

 

The top management needs to fully back it

In order to make the activity of trotting the CRM path a resounding success, it is of crucial importance that the move has the full support and personal involvements of those in the top echelons of company management. The drivers of opinion in organizations, those who set work culture need to be the early adopters.

The Project Manager

It is obvious that the person in charge of implementing the best CRM for small business, the Project Manager, has a crucial role to play. All needed steps should be taken and it should be ensured that the goals are fulfilled. He or she does not necessarily have to belong in the management but must have the capability of completing the task at hand.

The role of the Super-user

Besides the project manager, another key personnel in this task is the super-user of the new CRM. It is necessary for this person to be enthusiastic as well as inquisitive about the new system. He is the internal support person an employee turns to. He is also often the contact point for vendors and usually has crucial information regarding the CRM system.

Make a big announcement

Like your product or service to your customers, your employees too need to be aware of the new CRM system. Make sure that everyone in the organization knows about it and can’t wait to use it. Build the hype. After the implementation, remember to keep tabs on how things are working out.

Guidelines for your company personnel

As the accuracy of the entered data is crucial to the proper functioning of a CRM take steps to ensure that relevant guidelines exist for company employees to refer to while inputting in the crucial information. Make sure all the relevant personnel is making proper use of the system.

Train you employees

There is going to be differences in how different people approach your new initiative. Some will be all for it and use the new system with motivated enthusiasm. Others will be skeptical and reluctant to adopt the new working style. The project manager needs to take cognizance of this fact and take necessary steps. Third party training is an option. Another is having the super-user train the individual concerned employee. New employees should at once be made acquainted with the way to navigate through the CRM.

·         Make a proper strategy

CRMs are much more than just another tech innovation. It is belief set that needs to be followed. Reconsider your existing routines and those of all employees. Address the fact that their work pattern needs to be modified. This is a difficult task as it will face hurdles on all levels. People are reluctant to change from their comfort zone and that is fact

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