Like most companies, manufacturers are aware of the changing technological landscape. According to a recent study by Gartner, use of SaaS-based manufacturing and distribution software will increase from 22 percent in 2013 to 45 percent by 2023. Gartner predicts the catalyst for much of this growth will be two-tier cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) adoption.

If your company is looking to upgrade to or implement cloud-based manufacturing software, there are three questions you should ask before making the final software selection:

Are you running the software? It can be easy to get caught up in a solution that functions in a way vendors think your company should operate, instead of improving processes already in place. Don't make a software choice built on assumptions. The many ERP solutions will all require some adaptation from the company, but  too much means that the software isn't a good fit for your business. 

Have you discussed requirements? Consultants need to understand your company's requirements before they can recommend any software options. No one person should be in charge of deciding what functions a cloud ERP solution should perform. Instead, use a team that represents a cross-section of the organization. That way the vendor is able to understand the needs of the entire business, not just a single department. 

Is it made for manufacturers? This is incredibly important. Manufacturing has a number of complex operations that typical ERP solutions can't handle. Generic business management software will leave gaps in functionality that will eventually snowball into bigger problems. Industry-specific solutions should always a major consideration.

For more information about ERP and the cloud, contact Accent Software.