Abstract
The maintenance of a large-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an expensive venture that should not lead to failure. Yet this is what happens when companies do not follow the correct procedures. Companies discard essential parts such as risk evaluation, benefit scrutiny, performance objectives, and cash flows. Instead, some companies assume that the computer will change a company into a model of efficiency. Without clear and concise application, the ERP system can be a disaster. Perhaps the biggest reason for the failure of most ERP programs is the old school model of practice. ERP requires a change of thought in terms of business practice. Workers in a company ought to use the ERP software in a manner that best fits the need. Unless required, modification of the software can lead to its infectivity. Second, ERP systems can fail if the workers are not adequately trained to understand the operations of the systems. This report presents a list of ERP softwares that we will feel will be suitable for the success of the company
Introduction
PPQ Parts Manufacturing company is reputed for a being a leading player in manufacturing of hardware solutions. We pride for our generous treatment of employees demonstrated in our generous benefits. This is the reason the company is staying afloat competitively. As part of the management team, I have proposed a plan that aims at selecting the software needs that the company needs to have a grasp on the customers. In addition, the softwares will ensure that the company upholds its niche above all other competitors. The software has been selected because of their special importance to the company in regards of the cost, implementation, and the potential for increasing revenues for the company.
Material Requirement Planning (MRP) is a production planning and inventory control system used in the manufacturing process. In MRP, softwares have become formidable tools of carrying out the practices. Material Requirement Planning is designed for the objective of ensuring that the resources for production are available and that each product is delivered to customers as required. In addition, MRP is helpful tools for maintaining the minimum material levels in the store. Similarly, MRPs help firms plan manufacturing activities, delivery schedules and purchasing activities (Phillips, Haag, & Baltzan, 2005).
Capacity Requirement Planning
The competitiveness of today’s business climate requires that companies have sophisticated useful production sketch for managing material and capacity planning. Capacity requirements enable customers to have the exact details of shipment and delivery of the products ordered. Capacity planning involves the process of evaluating the production capacity that an organization needs to meet the demands of its customers. Capacity planning includes different aspects. First, the CRP assesses the schedule of production of a firm. After assessing the firms planning for the production process, the method analyzes the production capacity and weighs the two against each other. Capacity Requirement Planning is an important aspect of measuring if the company can meets its production expectations. Without an effective CPR, a company cannot know if it can meet the required deadlines set by the customers (Koch & Baatz, 2012).
Applications
ECI MI Soft WARE
ECi M1 is a comprehensive system that offers total efficiency of financials, inventory, production, sales, and production planning. This software is designed for a small to medium sized firm that manufactures back-to-back orders. The software is unique since it offers MRP unique best of breed basis. The software will be helpful for a company is willing to venture into ERP system with little cost spends on the work over time. This software also offers special features for inventory bar coding, shop floor control, reporting for customizers.
The secret features that ECI MI Ware offers include some that ERP vendors do not have. Such qualities include aspects like view only licenses for buyers who just want to see the report and not change anything, smart screen technology, and flexible screen that changes according to the users taste. Because of these features, the user can customize (Software Advice, Inc. (2012).
Exact JobBOSS Software
Exact Jobboss is perhaps one of the most demanded quoting, manufacturing execution systems present in the market. The software is a decent replacement for manual operations or users of quick books and Excel paper folders. Exact JobBosss streamlines operations, improves visibility, and grows revenue for a company that applies it effectively. The functions for the software include sales quoting, job scheduling, MRP, and manufacturing execution. The advantages of the software include the ease in setting up and the easiness in creating job descriptions with it.
The major selling point for the ExactJobBOSS software is the ease that integrates easily with other common software’s such as QuickBooks, and because it has its own accounting module. Moreover, JobBOSS is relatively cheaper than other softwares but still get the job done. If the company would love to reduce an ERP spend, then JobBoss would be ideal software (Software Advice, Inc. (2012).
Finesse Capacity Requirement planning software
Finesse Capacity Requirement (CRP) is software designed to help manufactures identify if they have unused capacity or if the company is working over capacity. Finesse evaluates the impact of MRP against available production capacity. Finesse CRP continuously compares planned, firm, and released orders in line with the production capacity using time-phased options. Finesses then tracks the production load using order status and plans work in the flexible work centers. Finesse graphical work center has the capacity to simplify the load. This make it easy for the runner to see the load and reschedule the load using the drag and drop case.
Module Features
It is a multi company software with plant and warehouse capabilities
It can perform several projects at the same time
It can provide reports in multiple formats including comparison and planning the reports
The user designs the date ranges
It has infinite and finite forward and back planning
VAI North American System Capacity Requirement
This software integrates the rest of the software system such as the shop floor control and control module. The integration provides a tool that is useful in scheduling production that meets short-term demands. This makes it possible to plan the production process effectively. The tool also has the ability to determine the soft and planned demand. Moreover, it can also analyze the projected and actual capacity required to meet the demand.
The ability to have access the summary information let the user have control over the short term or long-term capacity requirement. This way, the user can be able to manage the resources efficiently. The VIA software is also flexible hence analyzes the work center with a lot more flexibility that other softwares. Using this software, the user can have details of scheduling data, view specific orders and constitute demand and production bottlenecks. VIA handles bottlenecks by its ability to calculate the ATP (Available Promise Dates). The software can create the finite and infinite capacity schedules based on state capacity in the shop calendar (North American Systems International, 2012).
. Other features include:
Work Center, Scheduling of Departments and Machine
Analyzes daily work loads
Had independent load capacity
Integrates preventive maintenance and scheduling
Tracks tools
Can operate outside
Has alternative routes
Can attach documents online
Capacity rebuilds functions
Real time updates
Fishbowl Inventory Manufacturing Software
This software is designed for small and medium companies that are looking for inventory management as aspires to replace old school softwares such as Quick book for accounting. The software provides a robust solution to companies not ready for full-blown EPR system. The Fishbowl Inventory Manufacturing is a low cost-system that does not require companies to replace QuickBooks.
The good thing about Fishbowl inventory is that it is easy to implement, and it is affordable for a company in risk of a tight budget. It is also flexible to meet the needs of a company planning for a major MRP and a shop floor control. Like the other softwares, Fishbowl inventory has the features of bar-cording, asset management, raw materials, cycle counting, and customized reporting. The software also has features that practice automatic quoting, ordering, and purchasing processes.
Fishbowl inventory is used in every industry making the most adaptable software for a firm that earns $1000 in yearly revenue. Fishbowl’s is good for manufacturing businesses because of its easy integration with QuickBooks. This makes the process of accounting, distribution, and sales easy. The shortcoming for this software is because it hinders the complete transformation to full EPR systems (Software Advice, 2012).
NetSuite Manufacturing Edition Software
NetSuite Manufacturing edition provides the best software for a company that is willing to combine its warehouse management, accounting and financial management. NetSuite is a cloud-based solution that delivered from the web as software service. It is relatively expensive that the softwares already mentioned because of the services that it performs.
NetSuite is useful for manufacturing businesses that aspire to manage production orders, ensure base inventory level restocking, and ensure success and quality of special orders. The system has the advantage of supporting inventory for many different locations and provides a comprehensive process that includes management requirements, bill of materials, work order, and other services.
Conclusion
This paper has examined six softwares that the company can use to improve the manufacturing process. We have looked at the features of software while putting special emphasis on the cost of all of them. It is upon the executives to choose the software that best fits the need of the company. Our hope is that the best software will be chosen for the purposes of improving the company’s performance.
References
Borek, R. (2011, July 10). Tips to Get More Out of Your ERP Investment. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from http://www.erpsoftwareblog.com/2012/06/tips-to-get-more-out-of-your-erp-investment/
Gallego, G. (2012). Material Requirements Planning (MRP). Retrieved June 27, 2012, from http://www.columbia.edu/~gmg2/4000/pdf/lect_06.pdf
Koch, C., Slater, D., & Baatz, E. (n.d.). The ABCs of ERP [Bussiness]. Retrieved
May 20, 2012, from http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~mgi00011/ERP/abcs_of_erp.htm
Infotech Private Limited. (2010). Capacity Requirement Planning. Retrieved June 22, 2012, from http://www.eresourceerp.com/Capacity-planning.html
North American Systems International. (2012). Capacity Requirements Planning CRP Software provides tools for your company’s ability to meet manufacturing demand. Retrieved June 29, 2012, from http://www.nasi.com/capacity_requirements_planning.php
Phillips, A., Haag, S., & Baltzan, P. (2005). Business Driven Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill/.
Software Advice, Inc. (2012). NetSuite Manufacturing Edition Software. Retrieved June 7, 2012, from http://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/netsuite-manufacturing-edition-software-profile/
