One of the key principles of successful enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation is finding software that perfectly suits your business. This usually means that a comparison of the ERP solutions two companies use will reveal significant differences. Manufacturing companies, in particular, require solutions that can meet the demands of their unique and complex processes and workflows. Manufacturers will typically achieve the best results by implementing a solution that is created with their industry in mind and has the various functionalities required as standard applications.

Many vendors will suggest that it is best for companies to adapt to their chosen ERP's practices. However, the truth is, a solution that cannot be customized to conform to a company's specific needs will quickly become useless. Manufacturer's cannot be expected to overhaul their entire business to suit the limited functionality of standard ERP. With hundreds of unique processes, from customer service to production, and dozens of specialized verticals, all with different requirements, molding the company to an ERP solution would quickly drag the entire business down. 

As an example, industrial manufacturers and distributors work with complex supply chains. These require large capital investments in equipment that must perform perfectly and be unfailingly accurate. The automotive industry has safety and quality control processes they must adhere to, while aerospace companies are required to meet strict military specifications for design and production. Consumer goods manufacturers need to need to be able to collaborate with retail chains. Food manufacturers must be able to track their inventory and shipments and provide specific delivery information to abide by food expiration and sell-by dates and ensure FDA compliance.

It is clear that a run-of-the-mill ERP solutions cannot meet the demands of manufacturing companies. For this reason it is essential to invest in a software that was created to be industry-specific, such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV. For more information on this and other business management software contact Accent Software.