When looking for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, manufacturing businesses must consider how their ERP will interact with their manufacturing processes, whether they use discrete, process, or mixed manufacturing.
Here are 5 tips manufacturers can use to get the most out of their ERP's tracking, information management, quality control, and planning systems.
Manage Discrete and Process Inventory Differently
You track discrete materials as single units, but when performing mixed manufacturing, materials are usually tracked in batches. Integrate your software systems to manage both types of tracking as distinct parts of your manufacturing information systems.
Integrate Recipes and Workflow Processes
Mixed manufacturing has processes that include both recipes and manufacturing plans. For example, a manufacturing company might pour part of an engine block from mixed metals and build the rest of the engine using discrete parts from other vendors. In this case, the recipe of the metals needs to be stored, tracked, and accessed independently from the rest of the manufacturing workflow while still being a part of the entire assembly line.
Differentiate Between Depreciating and Asset Inventory
Since most inventory used in discrete processes is long-lasting, it is often an asset that holds value and can be recorded in your accounting and management software long-term. Process inventory, on the other hand, does not hold value over the long-term because the ingredients are often chemicals or foods with a short shelf life. Include a section in your software to account and plan for replenishing inventory at the end of shelf life.
Modern software systems enable businesses to manage their manufacturing processes, whether mixed, discrete, or process, please contact Oates & Company today.
