Manufacturing enterprise resource planning platforms do not last forever. Despite their industrial-grade components, these mission-critical solutions fade over time. System lifespans vary depending on the vendor, according to IT Toolbox. Some manufacturing ERP products hold up for more than a decade, while others decline within five years of implementation. However, the signs of system degradation are universal. Manufacturing organizations with longstanding legacy solutions must familiarize themselves with these troubling software symptoms. Here are some of those obvious indicators:

Diminished supply chain visibility
ERP solutions, at their core, are meant to facilitate operational visibility, lending stakeholders at all levels insight into the activities that unfold in the back office, out on the shop floor and inside the facilities of key third-party collaborators. When manufacturing ERP systems cease to provide this information or offer inaccurate numbers, change could be necessary. However, users and production leaders rarely recognize this problem when logged into the system.

This symptom of ERP deterioration often comes to light in the boardroom when executives request total product or job costs, according to Panorama Consulting Solutions. In the event that production staff cannot compile this data or uncover potentially flawed figures, it is likely that the software from which they originated is to blame and requires updating or replacement.

Lack of vendor support
Virtually all manufacturing ERP platforms require consistent system updates to remain viable. This necessitates long-term vendor support as software makers are ultimately responsible for coding these improved components. In the case of cloud-based or Software-as-a-Service installations, vendors also install these updates. However, few technology firms support their products in perpetuity, especially today. Enterprises across all sectors continue to demand bleeding-edge backend technology, leading third-party systems providers to reiterate at an accelerated pace and leave older systems behind, The St. Louis Business Journal reported. When this unfolds, IT teams have two choices: adopt new software or continue forward with unsupported technology. 

Sadly, many choose the latter approach to avoid new system implementation and the costs that accompany it. In reality, keeping outdated ERP solutions in place even after vendor support ends often leads to increased costs as system performance drops dramatically without consistent or proper updates and patches. With this in mind, manufacturing organizations that find themselves with unsupported ERP platforms should embrace replacement and get new, fully-functioning solutions.

Missing industry-standard features
The manufacturing industry is one of the most technologically advanced sectors in existence. Companies in the space continue to push their production limits, leveraging advanced software and hardware to streamline workflows, more effectively meet customer needs and increase revenues. The use of business intelligence among manufacturers doubled from 2016 to 2017, according to research from the software provider Plex. Additionally, an increasingly large number of producers embraced connected supply chain technology in 2017. This year, the push for innovation continues as businesses ratchet up internet of things implementations, invest in more automated equipment and look into augmented reality setups, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers found.

With these developments unfolding, manufacturers must at least consider adoption to keep pace with competitors and this requires taking a look at legacy ERP software. Most of these solutions, even those released within the last decade, do not have the core features needed to support the above technology. Some are not even capable of facilitating workflows featuring now-industry-standard technology, ERP Focus reported. Producers maintaining systems without such components or those needed to implement cutting-edge technology that will soon define the manufacturing space must seriously consider replacement.

The presence of extensive workarounds
When everyday users encounter systems that impede them rather than offer assistance, most create workarounds that allow them to complete critical tasks despite technological interference. Ideally, an ERP system should negate the need for such shortcuts, lending users the complement of tools they need to execute without logging off or introducing supporting platforms. When solutions reach the tail-ends of their lifespans, this often ceases to be the case, forcing workers to create and leverage workarounds, according to St. Louis Business Journal. This is not a viable long-term answer to ERP-created workflow problems as these circumvention methods actually transform into standard processes over time, turning ERP platforms into unused money pits.

Manufacturing firms with numerous workarounds in place should definitely consider implementing new ERP technology – all parties involved, including the chief financial officer, will be appreciative.

Embracing ERP renewal
Businesses in the manufacturing industry staring down these problems might be reluctant to launch full-on system reboots due to the cost of implementation. In the end, this upfront expense, which consumed less than 0.5 percent of the annual revenues for almost half of all the companies that completed ERP projects in 2017, according to Panorama, will certainly make less of a budgetary impact than the costs that come with keeping untenable backend technology in place.   

Manufacturing organizations interested in replacing legacy ERP software with a more modern alternative should connect with Accent Software today. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, we provide vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, giving manufacturers the power to bolster their operations with one of the most advanced and reliable ERP solutions on the market. 

Contact us today to learn more about our offerings. 

The industrial internet of things continues to expand at an accelerated pace. Organizations worldwide invested $800 billion in enterprise connected technologies, with $104 billion of this spend going toward industrial deployments in the manufacturing space, according to research from the International Data Group. Notably, this amount was spread across 86 percent of manufacturing firms, meaning overall IIoT adoption is immensely healthy, analysts for the software provider Bsquare found. However, modern manufacturers are not implementing cutting-edge connected tools in isolation. Backend software solutions are critical to IIoT infrastructure, acting as data storage, analysis and distribution centers for all of the information flowing through shop-floor sensors and other web-enabled fixtures. 

Enterprise resource planning systems are among the most important software supporting IIoT-infused workflows. These mission-critical platforms facilitate optimal data flow from the shop floor to the back office, while also cultivating valuable communication channels between key vendors. How exactly do ERP systems bolster IIoT installations?

ERP-IIoT integration
Innovators in the manufacturing space have, in recent years, developed and deployed early ERP-IIoT integration frameworks to great success. Most of these approaches center on three primary points of operational contact between ERP solutions and connected shop floor tools, according to ERP Focus. The first intersection unfolds on the production floor, where devices built on near-field communication or radio-frequency identification technology monitor manufacturing activities and collect actionable data that is transported to an ERP for storage and review. Usually, users who log into ERP portals filled with production data can view key metrics such as machine usage, materials handling and time-to-completion. Here, the ERP makes data from dozens of disparate devices accessible and ultimately empowers operational stakeholders to derive actionable insights from IIoT equipment.

The second and third points of integration materialize in the warehouse. Manufacturing firms exploring ERP-IIoT integration have deployed the two tools within shipping and receiving areas to track key distribution activities. Normally, this involves installing RFID items that monitor product movement and report this data back to warehousing leaders via ERP platforms. This use case also has partner- and customer-facing components made possible by NFC technology, which allows external users to feed data into ERP solutions via merchant and point-of-sale terminals. The third and final point of connection involves the development of enterprise revenue management matrices, which allow manufacturing stakeholders to maintain responsive bookkeeping and materials management strategies that bolster their bottom lines. How? Various IIoT sensors within the warehouse feed data measuring inventory bin calculations, dispatch-to-load times, delivery-to-customer estimates and other key performance metrics into the ERP solution, giving operational authorities the power to closely monitor holistic organizational performance and plan for improvements. Once again, the ERP makes this sort of workflow possible, bringing the data directly to the decision-makers.

A symbiotic connection
The relationship between these two mission-critical manufacturing technologies is not one-sided. IIoT devices expand the reach of ERP platforms, according to Industry Week. Prior to the emergence of connected enterprise devices, manufacturers could only derive value from their systems via internal activities. The arrival of IIoT technology has catalyzed a paradigm shift, giving firms the ability to collect new data from web-enabled fixtures used by customer service personnel. This creates direct communication channels between the business and the end user, resulting in the creation of truly accurate product usage data that can be used for continuous improvement. In the end, this could lead to the end of forecasting and drastically reduce production inaccuracy – two developments that would drastically reshape the manufacturing space.

Embracing the ERP-IIoT trend
With copious benefits in play, an increasingly significant number of manufacturers have begun rolling out IIoT frameworks with ERP platforms at their cores, according to research from analysts at IFS published by the Internet of Things Institute. IFS spoke with 200 manufacturing leaders and found that 16 percent were using such production models. This figure is, of course, likely to rise as the use cases mentioned above solidify and IIoT technology becomes more accessible.

Businesses in the manufacturing space that are on the outside of this trend looking in would be wise to look to the innovators pioneering ERP-IIoT integration and begin implementation planning. When it comes time to launch ERP-driven connected shop initiatives, consider partnering with Accent ERP. We deploy top-of-the-line manufacturing ERP solutions that work seamlessly with the latest production technologies, including IIoT devices. And, as a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, we provide vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, giving manufacturing businesses the power to streamline their backend systems, boost productivity and bolster their bottom lines.

Connect with us today to learn more about how our offerings can spur innovation in your manufacturing enterprise.

Manufacturing enterprise resource planning technology possesses immense potential, giving producers the power to develop and deploy automated processes that transform all areas of the operation, from the back office to loading dock. However, these solutions come with some risk. ERP implementation requires considerable financial investment and manpower. When serious complications arise during this stage, these once worthwhile investments devolve into resource drains. More than 70 percent of the businesses that adopted ERP systems in 2017 saw such overruns, according to analysts at Panorama Consulting Solutions. Even more disturbingly, 26 percent of firms saw their efforts crash and burn and end in failure due to implementation problems. 

With these unsavory outcomes in mind, manufacturing companies should familiarize themselves with the common pitfalls that line the road to ERP adoption and tackle these hazards ahead of time. Here are three of those familiar ERP implementation problems and the strategies many producers are using to address them:

1. Ineffective product configurations and features
ERP platforms are, by now, common in numerous industries. For example, well over 200,000 businesses are currently taking advantage of the Microsoft Dynamics suite, according to user data obtained by ERP Software Blog. Implementation leaders understand this and logically assume that most vendors support common operational activities in order to remain competitive within a robust industry. In reality, many software providers offer solutions that do not include key components needed for certain manufacturing scenarios, Panorama Consulting found. Many made-to-order and engineered-to-order firms form relationships with vendors with offerings that either lack product configuration engines or include weak components of this kind. Manufacturers that end up selecting such deficient systems due to pricing or the allure of other features find themselves overseeing ineffective ERP systems that do little to catalyze growth.

Manufacturers can easily avoid this pitfall by developing robust requirement lists and carefully vetting potential vendors, CIO reported. These strategies may seem simple but many businesses in the manufacturing space fail to take them seriously or disregard them altogether in effort to pinpoint the cheapest software available.

2. Inadequate training practices
Employee training programs are absolutely critical to ERP success, as employees must know how to properly navigate such technology before they leverage it in their day-to-day work and ultimately drive return on investment. Unfortunately, a large number of adopters fail to grasp the correlation between training and system efficacy, believing users will simply pick up ERP software on the fly. This is an immensely unrealistic and damaging misconception. ERP platforms transform entire businesses and workers should be prepared to weather this change via instructional resources. Adopters that fail to address change management see organization-wide user attrition and experience complete ERP failure.

Manufacturers must prevent this kind of situation from developing by creating strong training offerings. Ideally, these resources should relate directly to daily business processes, according to researchers at the Aberdeen Group.

3. Failure to communicate
Manufacturing executives and information technology stakeholders eyeing ERP implementation are often tempted to launch headlong into the process in an effort to achieve operational gains as soon as possible. In the rush to revolutionize their shop floors, many forego internal announcements, believing that employee communications can wait until deployment is nearer. However, this kind of top-down implementation strategy often creates internal divides that can lay the groundwork for user resentment, attrition and ERP failure, CIO reported. 

Again, this is an easy-to-prevent outcome. Project leaders should involve employees in the ERP selection process from the very beginning and connect with them often as implementation unfolds. With such communication channels in place, manufacturers pursuing ERP technology can expect to install systems that are user-approved and ultimately effective. 

Is your manufacturing firm in need of ERP software that meets the needs of employees, comes equipped with training resources and includes features designed to support modern production methods? Connect with Accent Software. We deploy top-of-the-line manufacturing ERP solutions that meet all of these requirements. And, as a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, we also provide vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, giving manufacturing businesses the power to streamline their backend systems, boost productivity and bolster their bottom lines. Reach out to learn more about how our offerings can revolutionize your enterprise, from the back office to the shop floor.

The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association in 2006 connected with more than 130 manufacturing stakeholders at organizations across the country and asked these production professionals to cite the key performance indicators they use most in their operations. More than 70 percent of respondents attested to utilizing "on-time-delivery-to-customer-request" and "on-time-delivery-to-commit" metrics – two performance measures dependent on effective scheduling.

These figures encapsulate the priorities of modern manufacturing organizations, most of which carefully plan production activities to meet the ever-growing demands of the post-Amazon customer. When adopting new enterprise resource planning technology, these firms must therefore pinpoint vendors that offer solutions equipped with ample scheduling components. What might these be? Here are some of the key scheduling features every ERP solution should have:

Special project management
Market segmentation continues to intensify. Every day, new groups and subgroups of consumers form, forcing manufacturers to take on smaller, more unique jobs. Consequently, many ERP software providers are rolling out products that take this development into account by facilitating one-off project design and management, according to TechTarget. These scheduling modules allow production stakeholders to allocate the required resources toward orders for niche customers and schedule these specialized jobs to move forward, even as larger projects take place in the background. Special project management tools also come equipped with partitioned accounting tools so chief financial officers and other accounting personnel can easily track the costs that come along with one-off assignments.

Finite and infinite scheduling
Manufacturers leverage two central scheduling methodologies: finite and infinite. The first strategy, sometimes called finite capacity scheduling, involves developing production workflows that reflect the amount of work that can be completed depending on preestablished timelines and the availability of finite resources, such as shop-floor equipment with mechanical limitations, TechTarget reported. Operational stakeholders utilizing this methodology often leverage decision support modules within ERP software to create ideal finite scheduling strategies. The second approach entails scheduling work based on the inventory of infinite resources such as staff, according to IT Toolbox. Theoretically, production leaders could schedule personnel to work around the clock, making physical employees an ever-available commodity. 

The best ERP solutions offer scheduling features that can address both of these models and build production calendars based on both finite and infinite resources. Most organizations develop schedules that include a mix of both asset types and should therefore be able to depend on their backend technology to understand the difference between the two and schedule productions workloads accordingly.

Purchasing and procurement
No matter the amount of man or machine power a manufacturer may possess, no work gets completed unless there are physical raw materials on hand. Of course, these components do not just materialize out of thin air – procurement professionals must work with external suppliers to get essential products through the door and onto the line in time to meet existing ship dates. Specialized ERP scheduling modules often buttress this bit of logistical strategy, giving procurement teams the power to coordinate supplier schedules with internal production targets, according to IT Toolbox. And, in most cases, these features also support internal resource issuance processes, ensuring that operational leaders use available materials effectively so as not to create compound scheduling issues.

Manufacturing firms navigating the ERP market would be wise to focus on systems that offer these key scheduling features. Here at Accent Software, we deploy ERP solutions that come equipped with such central components. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, we provide vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, giving industrial businesses the power to streamline their backend systems, boost productivity and bolster their bottom lines. Reach out to learn more about how our offerings can revolutionize your enterprise, from the back office to the shop floor. 

Numerous pitfalls can materialize during the enterprise resource planning implementation process. From flagging executive engagement and support to outright vendor dysfunction, myriad risks have the potential to arise. However, few of these hazards can prove as disastrous as user apathy or resistance. When employees fail to embrace new ERP solutions or actively avoid them post-implementation, the likelihood of project failure rises significantly. In 2016, more than one-quarter of the organizations that embarked on ERP implementations ultimately failed, according to research from Panorama Consulting. It is likely that these outcomes directly correlated to flawed change management techniques, especially those related to end users.

Businesses can void project failure due to lacking employee engagement by implementing user-friendly planning processes and workflows that empower end users and pave the way for long-term ERP success. Here are some of the most effective strategies for accomplishing this lofty yet important goal:

Focus on communication
Like most large-scale enterprise projects, ERP implementation unfolds from the top down as executive leaders offer funding and support, and carefully-chosen cross-functional operational teams execute on the ground floor. This arrangement creates an internal barrier between employees heavily involved in implementation activities and others focused on everyday business concerns. While perfectly logical, this natural division of labor can lead to communication issues that can fester over time and eventually lay the groundwork for employee resistance, according to TechTarget.

Implementation teams can overcome these problems and stave off user engagement disasters by developing and deploying detailed communication plans that keep workers not involved in ERP activities in the loop. These project groups must consistently reach out to their colleagues and offer updates on their progress, as well as field any questions or listen to any suggestions eventual end users might have. In the end, open communication channels help bolster engagement throughout the ERP implementation process and reduce the likelihood of project-killing internal resistance.

Provide effective training
ERP implementation catalyzes organization-wide transformation. As a result, workers must drastically reconfigure their workflows to accommodate system usage. For employees – especially those who have been entrenched in the business for some time – handling such a sea change is no easy task. These individuals need support from ERP project teams in order to embrace new processes and leverage them to generate gains in efficiency and productivity. Should this help never materialize, most are perfectly comfortable returning to their previous workflows and leaving new ERP technology untouched.

Businesses can avoid this unique brand of user engagement failure by providing training resources and working with employees to understand and grapple with change, according to Deloitte. In addition to developing detailed instructional guides for navigating new technology and facilitating real-time support options, project teams should map out how ERP implementation affects each and every role within the organization. This exercise places the topic of user engagement front and center, and provides a guide for all activities centered on this important subject.

Add an element of fun
While exciting, ERP implementation is rarely fun, especially for nervous end users dealing with project-related disruptions and the prospect of completely changing how they work on a daily basis. However, the internal teams tasked with installing new ERP platforms can add an element of whimsy to the process to raise spirits and prevent building workplace pressure from combusting into full-blown user revolt, ERP Focus reported. How? Many organizations embrace gameified employee engagement tactics that not only facilitate fun but also contribute to implementation efforts. For instance, many roll out pre-launch system-continuity challenges where users attempt to test the limits of new ERP technology. This kind of activity allows workers to blow off steam and offers usable feedback that project teams can use to improve the end product.

Strategies such as these can help enterprises navigating the ERP implementation journey avoid user engagement disaster and implement solutions that generate healthy return on investment. Here at Accent Software, we develop ERP products that do just that. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, we provide vendor-vetted services and solutions, rolling out transformative ERP installations capable of boosting productivity and bolstering bottom lines. Connect with Accent Software to learn more about our offerings.