An ERP manufacturing system helps connect all aspects of a company for optimal visibility. Manufacturing is separate from operations, sales, and accounting in many companies. With an ERP manufacturing system, companies can integrate the entire manufacturing value chain, including material requirements planning (MRP), master production schedule, manufacturing operations management, engineering change control, and traceability.

Valuable Insights Through an ERP Manufacturing System

Accounting, finance, operations, and sales can all be connected in an ERP. But what about manufacturing-specific functions? Here’s a rundown of what may be included in an ERP manufacturing system that can help you improve nearly every aspect of production.

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) Automations

Having the right materials on hand is vital to ensure that production deadlines are met. A material requirements planning system calculates inventory needs for production and works with procurement to ensure all materials are available on time. When integrated into an ERP manufacturing system, an MRP can automatically receive updates from sales. As orders are entered into the RFP, the system sends the information over the MRP, which can assess the quantity of materials needed and work with procurement to fill any gaps. An automated MRP helps reduce or eliminate stock-outs and the frustrations of order delays.

Master Production Schedule Improves Efficiency 

The Master Production Schedule (MPS) allocates available resources to production. It also develops and provides the schedule for items to be produced within a given time frame. This schedule is vital for planning use of factory equipment, scheduling workers, and ensuring that processes run smoothly. 

When the MPS is part of an ERP manufacturing system, it eliminates time delays caused by manual order entry and creates an efficient production process organized around customer orders.

Engineering Change Control Provides Product Improvement Feedback

Another essential aspect of manufacturing is quality control. As a product is being designed, each change must be logged, recorded, and monitored to assess how it impacted product quality. Without a good computer system for end-to-end monitoring, this process can be cumbersome as individual teams make notes and share them manually. When engineering change control is part of the ERP itself, manufacturers gain efficiencies through shared visibility throughout the entire engineering change control process.

Traceability Throughout the Supply Chain

All manufacturers like a certain degree of traceability in components and finished products. Some require it to comply with manufacturing quality standards. An ERP manufacturing system that includes traceability can help identify source materials, such as components or ingredients, back to their point of origin in the supply chain in the event of a recall.

Benefits of an ERP Manufacturing System

As we’ve discussed several components of an ERP manufacturing system, it becomes clear that adding it to your company’s technology infrastructure has many benefits. Everyone gains from the added visibility into all aspects of manufacturing, from the initial order to the finished product. Engineering data and controls help ensure feedback can be incorporated into the product design and iteration stages, creating better products at lower costs. Traceability and supply chain visibility mean that if defects in materials or the final products initiate a recall, you can trace the problem back to its source and identify other products that may be impacted. And lastly, automated throughout the system, such sales orders flowing into the materials requirements planning process, reduce stock outs, manual intervention, and monitoring. 

An ERP manufacturing system adds efficiency throughout every area of the manufacturing process. It provides data and visibility to improve processes and products. Your entire company gains by adding this vital platform.

PositiveVision: SYSPRO Resellers

PositiveVision is a trusted SYSPRO reseller with nearly two decades of experience helping businesses implement and optimize their ERP solutions. PositiveVision provides comprehensive support to ensure seamless integration and customization tailored to each client's unique needs. Our expertise in ERP systems helps businesses streamline processes, improve efficiency, and achieve operational goals. Contact us today for more information about our SYSPRO consulting services.