Does your ERP system deliver?

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The manufacturing industry is always changing and with it comes a demand for software that can keep up. 

Undoubtedly the idea of procuring, installing and implementing a brand new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is overwhelming. Your current system has been precisely customized, tailored to every operation. The stress, expense and business disruption involved in changing ERP systems is enough to give some an ulcer. However, eventually your legacy system will begin to cost much more than it is able to deliver. 

Experts suggest that the best time to make the change is when you begin to see that your business needs more than the current ERP system can offer. At this point your company can still function well — users can work around problems to get their jobs done, IT officials still champion the system and customers aren't transferring their business to the competition — but the threads are beginning to fray. You do not want to wait until something snaps entirely and your ERP system fails to consider a replacement.

It's a good idea to regularly define your businesses goals, the issues you face and the problems you are trying to solve, and compare these to the level of performance your current system offers. You, your stakeholders and value chain partners should ask the following questions to decide if an ERP system requires an upgrade:

  • Does the hardware provide a firm foundation for growth? 
  • Is machine technology fast, accurate and reliable?
  • Is the current solution scalable and does it offer interoperability?
  • Does the current platform meet company needs?
  • Has the current software reached the limits of available upgrades?
  • Does the solution in place keep up with industry requirements and demands?

If you believe it is time for your business to make a switch, contact Accent Software. We are industry experts and have been providing businesses with top-of-the-line business management software, such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV, for a number of years. 

4 more manufacturing ERP innovations

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In our previous blog post we discussed three current innovations in enterprise resource planning software. Today we are expanding on the topic to include four more innovations businesses should keep an eye on:

Complex event processing (CEP): Complex event processing is a growing area of advanced analytics, which allows the identification of compounding events and can reveal cause-and-effect patterns, by using financial, geospatial or streaming control data from equipment. Many ERP systems offer rich analytics packages, including CEP. While it was originally used in finance and investment, manufacturers are now adopting the system in their own solutions.

Digital manufacturing: Digital Manufacturing is a process which complements traditional production by enabling manufacturers to produce prototypes, tools and final parts directly from PLM/CAD data, through the use of 3D printing. Digital manufacturing can also be used to design models, and create one-off custom parts. New ERP systems have begun to include design-to-manufacturing modules, PLM/CAD and 3D visualization technology. This innovation can dramatically reduce  delivery time and production costs.

RFID: Radio-frequency identification is moving beyond barcodes to provide a wide variety of business applications. RFID is used for asset tracking, electronic kanban, access control and manufacturing inventory management. It also has a number of security and control applications.

Wearables: The gut reaction is to question the use of wearable technology in traditional manufacturing. However, wearables are extremely useful for hands-free operations, when operational data still needs to be recorded and analyzed. Users can wear tech devices, such as Google Glass, while assembling products. Google Glass can scan to assure the right parts are being used and offer assembly instructions.These technologies can be connected to ERP systems.

For more information, contact Accent Software. We are a leading manufacturing ERP software provider, dedicated to offering our clients the most advanced solutions available.

Recent ERP innovations and manufacturing

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Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are undergoing a reinvention. After years of stasis the migration from mega systems to new platforms has begun, and it brings innovations and new technology to the forefront.

For a time, technological innovation was put to one side. On-premise solutions were booming and ERP vendors had their hands full developing platform tools and fixing critical technical issues. Today, the market has changed. Consumer demand for modern tech and off-premise solutions has increased and vendors have taken note, choosing to adopt capabilities such as cloud computing in their new offerings.

Here are three areas that are currently experiencing growth:

Social collaboration: Enterprise social networking is coming to ERP. Offered as an add-on or as a native capability, this function allows team members internally and externally, to stay connected. Collaboration is essential in a number of industries, such as architecture, construction and education. For manufacturing, product design, procurement and demand planning become much simpler with the availability of social networking.

Internet of Things (IoT): The Internet of Things is not a new concept, but it's use is becoming a reality as other technologies evolve. Mobility, GPS, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensor technology, e-inks and other new materials allow for a greater application of IoT throughout a company. A few examples of uses include monitoring and controlling energy consumption in buildings, remotely monitoring work sites such as construction areas for safety, and optimizing transportation and service management by tracking assets on the move by using smart asset management technology.

Geospatial context awareness: The days of simple GPS technology are in the past. Instead of only knowing the location of workers or items businesses can now use geospatial context awareness to find out real-time data about the environment, such as weather, traffic and geopolitical conditions. For manufacturing companies this context is important for efficient operations involving people and processes, and can also reveal new areas that need improvement.

Technology is always evolving and ERP solutions will follow, updating and upgrading as new and innovative capabilities come to light. At Accent Software we are committed to providing the most advanced business management software available. For more information about ERP, such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV, do not hesitate to contact us.

Does your ERP solution support manufacturing functions?

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Before investing in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution it is critical to ask your vendor if their proposed software effectively supports manufacturing functions. Many manufacturers focus on the wrong issues when considering ERP solutions and lose sight of manufacturing functionality when assessing a software's business fit. 

Instead of learning to live within a narrow set of constraints, ask the right questions before making a big purchase:

How are lean principles supported in the system? There are many excellent stand-alone solutions available that perform lean planning. These are highly specialized, periodic analytical functions. Find out how the proposed ERP solution optimizes value streams and supports lean execution. Does it offer electronic kanban? Are transactions poka yoke'd at the point of origin? Are pull systems part of the core solution? Is heijunka available? Also make sure that all these functions are supported across the supply chain, from customers to suppliers. The best system will be designed to embrace lean principles from the ground up.

How is detailed data input into the system? The availability of detailed data about production, scrap, downtime, labor and quality inspections affects profitability and success in the manufacturing industry. Everyone in the organization should have accurate and timely information to support decision-making. The best ERP solutions tend to have a single portal to capture and validate information as it is created. Workers should have all the data they need at their fingertips, whether it be drawings, material requirements or customer alerts. 

Are inventory records directly tied to physical reality? An accurate inventory management system can make or break a manufacturing company. In high-precision/high-liability industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices or food it becomes essential to track product genealogy, which means that inventory must be tracked and traced accurately and on time. Records should reflect what is happening to a product at that moment — whether it is in production or has already begun to accumulate cost.

At Accent Software we are dedicated to helping you find the perfect business management software for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about manufacturing software systems such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Why small and medium businesses should adopt Microsoft Dynamics NAV

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Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a popular enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that supports over 85,000 companies and more than 1.3 million users around the world. 

NAV offers its users an array of amazing features which greatly simplify management functionalities of organizations, regardless of the nature of their business. Despite NAV being one of the most cost-effective ERP solutions available in the market today, many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) question the worth of the software for their enterprise. Here are a few reasons SMBs should consider investing in Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP:

One platform: Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers a single platform for multiple business operations. The solution has a number of modules for processes such as financial, accounting, manufacturing, supply-chain, BI (Business Intelligence), sales & marketing, service management, project management and HR (Human Resource) management. All of these departments can be integrated and centralized for automation that makes it easy to share information between departments.

Increased productivity: Dynamics NAV offers a simple user interface that anyone who has used other Microsoft applications will be familiar with. The intuitive operations allow all employees, regardless of their level in the company, to use the software and streamline their key processes.

Decision making: NAV allows managers to make prudent business decisions through the use of real-time business data and reporting. There are a wide range of analysis tools available in the software so that leadership can get a better visualization of where the company is and how it is doing. Enterprises will be in a better position to make the most of opportunities that come their way by using these features.

Easy to implement and customize: A highlight of Dynamics NAV is that it can be implemented at a wide variety of companies, irrespective of industry, size or geographic location. Implementation time is also short, reducing business downtime. NAV can also be easily customized to meet the unique requirements of a range of organizations, allowing easy adaptation in the future.

To learn more about Microsoft Dynamics NAV and other business management software contact Accent Software. We would be happy to answer your questions.

Questions to ask a manufacturing ERP vendor

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The process of qualifying potential manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors is a critical phase in the ERP implementation process. It is essential to ask vendors the right questions as you evaluate them and their expertise in providing cutting-edge service.

Does the proposed solution support the style of manufacturing? 

Manufacturing is not a homogenous environment. It includes everything from job shop systems and cell-type organizations, to complex automated systems and robotics. Manufacturers exist in a variety of industries (e.g. automotive, medical, food processing), and there are hundreds of different processes that are employed by these industries (e.g. stamping, forging, assembly). Selected solutions must fulfill each combination of manufacturing style, process and the industry's unique set of requirements 

For example, companies that create highly-complex machinery that depends on precision for accuracy will not use the same ERP as organizations that use high-speed automated equipment to create thousands of small pieces every hour. It would be impossible to optimize a single ERP to suit the specific needs of both of those businesses.

Supporting the style of manufacturing means supporting the employees who help create that style. When evaluating ERP ask for system demonstrations or reference visits which allow plant workers to judge ease of use. If workers will not or cannot use the software the return on investment will be compromised.

Can non-programmers develop new business processes in the system?

Programming difficult-to-use systems can cost hundreds of dollars per hour. It is important to vet ERP solutions to find out which ones support point-and-click or drag-and-drop interfaces that allow advanced (non-programming) users to create new processes without writing code. If a vendor does not support this type of development find out the precise operation involved in creating new screens or reports. Will you required to consult a third-party or does the vendor offer growth services?

Does the system support the extended enterprise?

Manufacturing is not an isolated process. Suppliers and customers, located around the globe, often require direct access to data from the enterprise. Business management software should be able to quickly and securely expose transactions to customers and suppliers, without the need to install extra software on the trading partner's end. The interface should also be user-friendly so that customers and suppliers do not need training to understand how to use it.

Many ERP solutions offer web browser portals that allow access to reporting and data, or simple included clients, such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV's SharePoint. This simplifies the procedure, and makes it unnecessary to build a separate point of access, considerably shortening deployment time.

How is the software licensed?

Avoid vendors who offer licensing on a per-user basis. While this might keep the price low, many companies find out after deployment that ERP can only be fully functional when a lot more employees use it. Manufacturers tend to fall into this trap more often than most, because they are not used to so many people using a software and therefore underestimate the number of users.

Flexible licensing models will allow deployment throughout the business and will allow you to add users and remove them as need be. There are a number of flexible licensing options available with Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a worthwhile solution for manufacturing companies. The versatile ERP software offers industry-specific optimization and a variety of features that can be tailor-fitted to your business's needs. To learn more, contact Accent Software today.

Choosing the best ERP implementation partner

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Expertly-handled enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation benefits almost every aspect of a business. On the other hand, failed or extended implementation can impede positive results and become costly. ERP deployment teams are crucial to the success of a new system. Without them you cannot hope to plan, configure and install the software you've purchased. The best consultants will help you get up and running quickly, explain the benefits of your specific system, provide training and will undoubtedly save time and money.

If you are planning on employing ERP in 2015 read on to understand how to choose the top implementation partners in the business:

Partners are as important as software: If you thought deciding on software was difficult you will be in for a surprise come implementation time. Picking a partner is about finding a company that is competent, reliable, a good fit for your business expectations and an expert in Change Management. When searching for consultants, request reference customers and speak to businesses that implemented similar-sized systems. Try to meet teams before they begin work, and ask them how they plan on helping you. Look for responses that are tailored to your situation. Generic answers tend to mean that a team hasn't taken the time to think the project through. Occasionally software managers will choose to keep all of their process in-house and offer a corporate team to manage client implementations. While this can be an advantage, particularly when implementations are exceptionally large, it also means that you may not have a choice about who shows up to help. Keep these factors in mind as you choose your software.

Expertise: ERP application is not only about technology expertise or business management knowledge. Professional and capable ERP consultants will specialize in and understand ERP itself. The organization you choose should understand the product, how it can help your business and how to customize implementation strategies to fit your company's needs. ERP solution experts will combine their knowledge of tech and business management to bring you the best of both worlds. They will understand how to maximize the benefits of the software to improve your organization's operations.

Long-term partnerships: ERP implementation is an immersive process which, upon successful completion, will affect most aspects of your business, from warehouse management and product tracking, to budgeting and forecasting. ERP partners should be dedicated to delivering ongoing training and support resources, and frequently check in to ensure that the software is bringing in a positive return. This means that ERP consultants should embrace a long-term partnership and be prepared to offer 24/7 assistance. The best partners want to make sure that ERP is promoting business success over a number of years, not only on the days of installation. Select implementation partners who are informative, cooperative and driven. They should care about your company and the challenges you are facing and should be devoted to forming an alliance. Remember that successful launches don't close the book on the project.

At Accent Software we have decades of experience to back our business and technological expertise. If you are in the market for business management software, such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV, or are looking to begin the implementation process, do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Executive ERP selection

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With a wealth of options now available, ERP selection can be an overwhelming and confusing process. New solutions have increased market depth, and brought competitive price points, but they have also made it more difficult to narrow down the precise ERP system that will bring the most benefits to an organization. Even experienced IT personnel need guidance as they rifle through the endlessly evolving technologies available. Due to the nature of the decision being made, it is often best for executives to take the reigns when it comes to ERP selection. Here are three areas where company executives should take the lead:

Cost Evaluation: ERP implementation inevitably comes with certain indirect costs. Business leaders often overlook how the new software can impact end users across the company, in matters of productivity, flexibility and efficiency. The actual cost of deployment is only one part of the price of ownership. Executives should acknowledge the far-reaching implications of switching to ERP business management software, and factor in things like training and consultant fees as they evaluate the total cost of ERP deployment.

User Adoption: Even today, many ERP solutions are complex and can be difficult for staff members to utilize. Take learning curves and end user-friendliness into account when selecting an ERP software. The tougher it is to achieve a self-sustaining system, the longer integration will take. Instead of waiting endlessly for a positive return on investment, ensure the chosen solution is easy to adopt, for all employees.

Long-Term Solutions: Software that is constantly going out of date will put unnecessary strain upon company budgets, end users and executives. Take the time to hunt down ERP software that will remain resilient in the long run.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a great solution for businesses searching for cost-effective, user-friendly software. If you would like to learn more about Microsoft Dynamics NAV contact Accent Software. 

Common ERP mistakes to avoid

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Implementing a successful integrated business solution like Microsoft Dynamics NAV is kind of like scaling and reaching the top of Mount Everest: It's a battle. An ERP project is one of the most expensive and complicated tasks an IT department can undertake, with obstacles at every corner waiting to thwart the unsuspecting. After hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of work, it can be devastating to find out that an ERP system does not meet expectations or deliver tangible benefits. It is, therefore, incredibly important that businesses get it right the first time.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV can function as the backbone of a company's operation and the foundation upon which business performance is built. The success of a project is much more than simply choosing the right solution, vital though that is.  How the implementation is planned, structured and carried out is just as important.

One way to avoid any mishaps is to understand the most common pitfalls organizations encounter when they embark on an ERP implementation project:

Lack of planning: Never play ERP by ear. Kevin Beasley, a leading chief information officer, told CIO.com, "Many organizations do not do enough up-front planning before they begin an ERP software evaluation. This often leads to confusion down the road because they might not fully understand their current processes and how to evolve them to maximize business benefits and efficiencies." It is essential for organizations to conduct audits before selecting an ERP system to discern where the software is needed most and what features would be beneficial. ERP systems should also be evaluated. The employees who will be using the software most are the best bet for this job.

Not screening vendors: It is a vendor's job to sell you their system. Without testing it you cannot be sure that the system has all the benefits or capabilities they promise. Of course, ERP systems cannot be taken to the office, tested and returned if there are any problems, so it's important to vet vendors before making a purchase. Request names of reputable businesses that the vendors supply to, and find out if you can contact those organizations and talk to them about their experiences with ERP implementation. A vendor should be able to provide at least three or four names. If they can't, consider it a warning sign.

Not understanding or using features: John Hoebler, managing director of a business consulting company, told the source that their annual ERP survey found that only 46 percent of respondents understood what features they were using in their system. That means that a whopping 54 percent of survey-takers had invested millions of dollars into a software without knowing its features. Without knowledge of what your ERP is capable of you can not fully harness it's potential. When the time comes for maintenance or upgrades there will be no way to guarantee their effectiveness because you won't know which features are most helpful and which are redundant. Experts suggest that organizations create master lists which outline salient attributes, and track their usage. The list should be reviewed regularly to determine which parts of the ERP system are being used.

In general it can be difficult to implement ERP like Microsoft Dynamics NAV successfully without a dedicated team or consultant. Accent Software can help your business understand the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics NAV and how it can help your company. If you are interested in finding out more about this and other business management software contact us today.

Should manufacturing adopt cloud-based ERP?

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Manufacturers are under immense pressure to increase process speed, improve accuracy and leverage internal business intelligence to make every company interaction count. Like on-premise enterprise resource planning systems, cloud-based manufacturing software can help companies bring innate knowledge into every sales situation, but has the added benefit of being easier to deploy and implement. 

It seems like a no-brainer: Why shouldn't manufacturing companies adopt cloud-based ERP? Current manufacturing managers and experts believe there are a number of reasons.

Undoubtedly there are a few typical cloud-related issues such as security, but in general manufacturing business are extremely complex, with tailored workflows, business rules and data structures. There are concerns that multi-tenant applications do not currently offer the level of customization manufacturers would require. Many enterprises have been in the industry for decades, and have invested in complex ERP systems that have been upgraded over the years to create a software that fully supports all their process. Walking away from the kind of work that was put into most legacy systems is difficult for companies.

Robert Kugel, senior vice president and research director at Ventana Research told TechTarget, "There isn't a company on the face of the earth that would decide to replace their ERP system just to be able to move to the cloud. A tipping point will only come when there's some breakthrough in ERP system design that enables a large number of manufacturing companies to configure and script in a multi-tenant environment without having to make too many concessions."

Cloud computing can, however, revolutionize manufacturing, and while many older companies may choose to stick with what they know,  younger generations of manufacturers who do not have legacy systems appear predisposed to adopt cloud-based strategies. For these companies, software like Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which offers cloud-based SaaS hosting, may be an excellent solution.

If you are intersected in learning more about Microsoft Dynamics NAV and its various deployment options contact Accent Software today.