When it comes to software implementations, organizations of all sizes share common goals: rapid deployment and a fast return on investment. However, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in manufacturing face unique business requirements that might not be met by large vendors who typically serve the Fortune 1000 community.
While ERP does a fine job of tracking manufacturing, distribution and accounting processes, traditional ERP systems do not encompass interactions with outside parties such as customers, suppliers and business partners.
More and more manufacturers are implementing lean principles to minimize waste and increase efficiency, stripping out processes that do not create customer value. However, it’s becoming clear that the shop floor is not the only part of the operation responsible for extended lead times.