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Sure, ERP can manage finances and help everyone at corporate offices, but what can the software do for the shop floor? Manufacturers tend to be skeptical of the software’s ability to support what’s happening inside the factory.
However, manufacturing ERP solutions can serve as one of the most valuable assets in your plant, providing integral capabilities not only for accountants and executives but also for every single shop floor employee. As proof, we’re explaining how ERP supports four different manufacturing roles.
Production Manager
The production manager oversees manufacturing operations, ensuring everything is running smoothly and developing strategies to optimize performance. Unfortunately, far too many production managers lack the visibility to maintain end-to-end control. They often aren’t able to get around to strategic decision making because they’re too busy manually tracking and managing operations using spreadsheets and sticky notes.
ERP gives them the information they need in one place. Scheduling, material planning, cost analysis—all the data and tools required to keep an eye on production processes are located in the software and easily accessible through intuitive search features, personalized dashboards and even AI voice assistants.
Have excess materials? ERP provides lean metrics and Kanban functionality designed to minimize waste. Not sure how much inventory is available? ERP provides real-time inventory tracking to help users avoid overstocking or stock-outs. Experiencing a stall in production? ERP will notify users of the issue, so production can get back on track and steer clear of bottlenecks. The software provides the full visibility that allow production managers to not only keep up with customer demand but also drive continuous improvement.
Quality Inspector
According to 92% of manufacturers, product quality is the standard of manufacturing success for customers. This makes the quality inspector a critical part of your plant floor. But quality inspectors have trouble identifying defects and upholding compliance when they can’t make sense of data or waste time manually checking every single product and material.
ERP software provides real-time quality metrics as well as statistical process control (SPC) and statistical quality control (SQC) to help inspectors quickly identify issues. With sophisticated reporting and full traceability, they can also measure cost of quality, locate causes of scrap and rework, and evaluate supplier quality. Furthermore, automated workflows and notifications enable users to standardize processes and improve efficiency. ERP gives inspectors granular control over quality and greater productivity and accuracy, so they can prevent costly errors and waste.
Machine Operator
Shop floors are buzzing with activity from machines, equipment and robots. It’s up to the machine operator to ensure these assets are running at peak efficiency and churning out quality parts. Keeping up with all these machines requires real-time visibility across the factory.
With ERP, users can closely monitor assets across the production floor through intuitive dashboards. Epicor Advanced MES lets machine operators use touch-screen technology to view real-time data from equipment, giving them the insights to detect issues and schedule preventative maintenance. Shop warnings, OEE metrics, process variations and more are instantly delivered to allow operators to address issues at a moment’s notice.
Epicor IoT extends this visibility, displaying machine metrics in a user-friendly dashboard. ERP’s actionable insights allow machine operators to avoid unplanned downtime and protect investments in shop floor equipment.
Assembler
Assemblers are responsible for bringing together all the discrete parts to create a finished product. When assembling products, timing is everything. If scheduling isn’t perfectly in tune with demand, assembly lines could be overworked, underworked or rushed. This jeopardizes manufacturing quality and efficiency.
ERP gives businesses the long and short-term planning and scheduling tools to ensure assemblers aren’t strained. The software generates forecasts from multiple sources to support accurate production planning. Agile scheduling control enables on-the-fly changes, while automated alerts notify schedulers of material availability and other factors that could impact the schedule.
Users can also schedule by their choice of capabilities or constraints, ensuring that schedules are in line with resources, materials and skills. When assembly lines are appropriately arranged, employees can work effectively to uphold operational standards.
Wrap Up
Whether you’re the CFO or a quality inspector, ERP software is a vital asset for streamlining your daily manufacturing tasks. For over 45 years, Epicor has specialized in developing scalable ERP solutions that support roles across manufacturing enterprises.
At Datix, our certified consultants have experience across multiple manufacturing environments. We understand how to implement ERP in line with your specific goals and provide training to all your end users. Additionally, Datix offers a full range of ERP consulting services and reliable support to drive business growth. This dedication has helped us earn the status of Epicor Gold Partner.
From the top floor to the shop floor, ERP can transform your manufacturing business. Find out more about Epicor ERP by contacting one of our experts today!
