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Decide if enterprise resource planning software is best for your manufacturing systems

The first type of manufacturing inventory control software is ERP. This term refers to a system of programs that consolidate all the departments in your business. It helps streamline every step of the production process, from manufacturing to distribution to sales. Your business will gain from this centralization and become more efficient.

I recommend: Get more information about enterprise resource planning and its advantages for your business by going through what's available at techFAQ; alternatively, get even more in-depth knowledge at CIO, where you can choose different aspects of ERP to discover, or simply read the full essay.

Consider MES software to cover your manufacturing management system needs

Manufacturing execution systems is a term that describes another software package - a package that specializes in bridging the gap between your ERP system and the physical functioning of your manufacturing plant. It brings the relationship between the two aspects of business under a common overview and gives you more control over management of your factory equipment.

I recommend: Strengthen your knowledge of manufacturing execution systems by reading some of the details at a manufacturing software provider like Atos Origin or BCI, vendors that give you basic information about MES. You can also learn about new MES design strategies for more flexibility at Forrester.

Learn about process control for your manufacturing inventory control software

A third term you should know before selecting your manufacturing software solutions is process control or, more specifically, statistical process control. This type of software regulates plant production and output through the analysis of past data and results. With the use of comparative graphs, charts and other statistics, it gives you a picture of the factory's history so that you can analyze where production is most efficient and where improvements are possible.

I recommend: Consider whether you can use manufacturing solutions in the area of process control by developing your knowledge through Engineering Statistic Handbook, which outlines the facets and benefits of statistical process control. Then check further details at CSR, which gives you a fuller picture of what process control manufacturing business software packages do.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to implement more than one kind of process manufacturing software, remember that most companies specialize in one type or another. Discuss which packages are compatible with other distributors' programs so that you can build a system that integrates properly.

Guide to Manufacturing Software

Make your operations more efficient with the right programs

By Tonya Vinas

1. If the problem that needs to be solved is one contained within operations, then software that focuses on scheduling, materials planning and procurement, inventory or other operations-oriented functions is called for.
2. If your company needs more enterprise-wide control, then enterprise resource planning (ERP) or product lifecycle management (PLM) might be more appropriate.
3. If sharing information with suppliers is what is needed, then investigate supply-chain management offerings. To better serve customers, review customer-resource management systems.
4. For any solution, request and expect a trial. Implementations can run from several thousand dollars to several hundred thousand depending upon size of your business and scope of the solution.

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Plant-floor improvement

Production-scheduling software (a.k.a. finite capacity scheduling software or manufacturing planning software) lets users schedule orders for machinery, labor units, inventory space and other manufacturing assets based on the finite availability of the assets.

I recommend: Vendors include Waterloo Manufacturing Software, Preactor International and NETAPS.

ERP and beyond

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is one of the most commonly used software solutions in manufacturing. It manages companies from a financial-metrics point of view. Much consolidation has occurred in the big companies recently.

I recommend: Two of the biggest players are SAP and Oracle Corp. Others include HP and Epicor.

PLM options

One of the fastest-growing areas of manufacturing software is product-lifecycle-management (PLM), which focuses on managing documentation of a product's life from every perspective — suppliers, materials used, logistics, liabilities, etc.

I recommend: Two of the biggest vendors in this area are PTC and UGS.

Making connections

As the importance of supply-chain management has grown in global manufacturing, so have the offerings of software that assist with supply-chain management.

I recommend: Some of the companies that offer this include ClickCommerce, Manhattan Associates and i2 Technologies.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Solutions options vary: a hosted solution in which the actual program resides on an external server (usually the most affordable, but some consider it the least secure), off-the-shelf software (a moderate choice in terms of cost and function) or custom-built (most expensive, best customized functionality).
• •  Many other types of manufacturing software exist, including manufacturing resource planning (MRP), manufacturing execution systems (MES), warehouse management systems (WMS) and a cadre of product design systems such as CAD. Often, the best way to determine exactly what your company needs is to hire a chief technology officer or consult with an outside specialist.

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Discover what is manufacturing business software

Manufacturing management system software is, in essence, a set of programs that runs your manufacturing process. It controls and regulates the various steps in a production system, automating tasks and thereby improving the functioning of your company through faster and more efficient completion of operations. It also brings the whole process under the control of a central system, giving you a better view of your business.

I recommend: Get more detailed information about manufacturing software solutions by checking out Wise Geek and Business Software. Geek runs through the three main types of software - enterprise resource planning, manufacturing execution system and process control - and Business Software provides more info, along with some of the benefits, which will be covered further in the next step.

Learn how manufacturing systems software can provide benefits for your business

By instituting processing software in your system, you can increase efficiency. Your workflows are automated, tasks become streamlined and your business gains a new advantage. Production, packaging and shipping speeds will increase, with the software operating and monitoring the work, giving you more control and the ability to analyze every aspect with greater oversight and accuracy.

I recommend: Find out how you can use process manufacturing software in your business: Manufacturing Software Explained takes you through the steps covered by the software. You can evaluate the advantages it will provide for your company by perusing the list at Manufacturing Integrated Systems.

Round out your manufacturing solutions software information before choosing a provider

Take various considerations into account before settling on a company. Weigh the size of your business and the available budget. Do your manufacturing systems cover an end-to-end process, or just one step? What amount of automation and control do you have, and what level do you want? Consider these, as well as the features of various distributors and their software packages, before beginning your selection process.

I recommend: Learn about your options for manufacturing inventory control software and how to choose the best fit for you by looking at IMEC and CTS. IMEC gives you pointers on selecting the right packages; you can get more info by downloading selection software for free from CTS.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Start preparing your business early for the implementation of your manufacturing software. It will constitute a significant overhaul of your operation, and the more preparation you and your employees have, the smoother the transition will be.

Guide to Manufacturing Software Advice and Ratings

How to select manufacturing software to fit your business needs

By Lesley Graybeal

1. Read reviews of manufacturing software for enterprise resource planning.
2. Compare features of project life cycle management programs for manufacturing.
3. Use ratings to choose manufacturing systems for supply chain management.
   

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Find manufacturing software advice and ratings for enterprise resource planning programs

ERP, or enterprise resource planning software is a common type of manufacturing software. Manufacturing ERP software helps companies coordinate engineering processes, capacity, work flow, quality control and cost management. Enterprise resource planning software should help your business operate more efficiently, and reading software ratings will help you choose the most effective software option.

I recommend: The top 7 software programs for enterprise resource planning are available from 2020software.com. Manufacturing software advice and ratings are also available from the blog Simple Thoughts.

Compare small business manufacturing software for project life cycle management

Another type of manufacturing software is PLM, or project life cycle management software. This type of industrial production software organizes business operations by project to enable management of all aspects of a single project from beginning to end. Ratings for PLM process manufacturing software can help you choose the program most appropriate for managing your project needs.

I recommend: Read ratings of PLM manufacturing systems from Technology Evaluation Centers, where you can produce a report comparing project life cycle management programs for your business. Aras also offers rating information, as well as free access to their own open source software.

Get manufacturing inventory control software ratings for supply chain management

A manufacturing management system can assist your business in supply chain management. These manufacturing systems use features such as inventory tracking, order entry, supply chain planning, inspections and the calculation of commissions. Product reviews and comparisons can help you determine which inventory management options are ideal for your business.

I recommend: Supply Chain Management Review carries reviews of manufacturing inventory control software. Business-SoftwareApproved offers a vendor ratings report on the Top10 ERP Manufacturing Software.