Stay lean with cloud ERP

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As a growing manufacturing, you need to be able to do more with less. That means eliminating waste and promoting lean policies. The best way to keep your workflow efficient while enjoying full visibility of your supply chain is with cloud-based enterprise resource planning software. 

For many manufacturers, their on-premise legacy system could be dragging down productivity and growth. The lack of customization makes it challenging to streamline production, and a lack of remote access can hinder accurate data analysis. A modern, cloud-based ERP solution can help your manufacturing company embrace a lean initiative to operate more efficiently. 

Free yourself from the IT infrastructure
Cloud computing allows for more sustainable growth, by taking hardware management out of the equation. Rather than having to maintain and upgrade your on-site equipment as your business grows, a cloud ERP provider manages those details for you, providing the most up-to-date technology for you while your team can focus on more important tasks. Cloud ERP has a lower cost of entry, because your enterprise doesn't need to invest in expensive hardware. Just implement the system and go. 

"Embrace a lean initiative to operate more efficiently."

Find the best fit
Cloud ERP is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The beauty of this technology is its flexibility and customization. Adopt the modules that work for your team, and add more when you need them. Stay lean when necessary and don't worry about investing in a larger ERP than you need.

See commercial impact
Lean manufacturing software solutions make every part of the production process visible, because every part counts. This business management software identifies every process in your workflow and reflects their impacts on financials. Increased visibility lets your team see inefficiencies in your IT infrastructure as well as your manufacturing, and correct them. 

Integrate your silos
Many legacy systems don't integrate communications and data collection between departments. This lack of integration can lead to "silos" between departments and redundant or missing information. Cloud ERP can integrate with existing applications, remove the need to manually input data and improve overall data quality. Cloud ERP serves your whole enterprise, including remote employees. 

Is your company read for lean, smart growth? Accent Software can help! We work with growing companies to implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV, a flexible cloud ERP system that helps manufacturers operate efficiently and make quick decisions with accurate, real-time data. Our team has been helping small and medium-sized manufacturers implement this robust program for over 15 years. Contact Accent Software to learn more about this business management software and the many ways your team will be thankful for it.

U.S. to surpass China in manufacturing

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China may currently be the world's manufacturing powerhouse, but not for long. A recent Deloitte poll showed that the United States is expected to surpass China as the most competitive manufacturer in the world by the year 2020. The American competitiveness ranking was fourth in 2010, so this is an impressive jump. What is helping to bring the U.S. back on top? 

Talent and technology
The survey polled 500 executives at manufacturing firms all over the world in order to determine the most competitive climates. Deloitte researchers highlighted American investments in talent and technology as the game changers. In the past, other nations have dominated the global competition with cheaper labor. China reached the top global rankings in the 1990s due in part to cheaper labor, but it has been falling ever since. Now, American manufacturers are poised to retake the top spot.

"Smart technologies are automating more tasks."

Cheap labor is no longer the deciding factor among competitiveness. Smart technologies are automating more tasks and reducing the number of workers required. Enterprise resource planning software is an example of such technology, which lets manufacturers automate tasks to improve efficiencies and reduce human errors. Manufacturers that use ERP solutions enjoy increased efficiency at every level of the supply chain. 

Advanced technologies and materials are now the most important deciding factors, and the U.S. has these in spades. Manufacturing in America has become an increasingly technical job, and as manufacturers grow it's been a challenge to find individuals with the experiences and the technological qualifications to manage these growing enterprises. 

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an ERP tool built for growing manufacturers. By streamlining processes and improving efficiencies, Dynamics NAV is helping to build the next generation of manufacturers. To learn more about Dynamics NAV and how this business management software can help your enterprise, contact Accent Software. 

Special ERP requirements for manufacturing

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Since every company has its own processes that are a little different from anyone else's, their enterprise resource planning software should also be unique. Manufacturing companies, whether they're of process or discrete variety, require some special tools from their ERP software in order to enjoy the full benefits. These businesses are different, so they need a different kind of business management software. 

Manufacturing companies of all sizes, along with their distributors, are connected by various types of Web platforms. Legacy ERP programs do not have these capabilities, and they often slow down operations. Today's growing manufacturers are better served by cloud-based solutions. Cloud-based ERP tools are better adapted to the types of customizations that members of this industry have to make. In addition, cloud ERP lets small to medium businesses scale more easily, so when they need to ramp up operations there's no need to make additional hardware investments. 

"Efficiencies are particularly crucial in the manufacturing world."

Working with niche verticals
Manufacturers often work as part of niche groups, building highly-specialized products and working with niche suppliers. All of these vendors have specific requirements for every stage of their operations. A customizable ERP solution helps these manufacturers and their partners adapt to the needs of niche verticals and their requirements. 

Staying flexible
Manufacturers need flexibility. While their operations need to be air tight for optimal efficiency, markets can change dramatically and new opportunities can emerge at the drop of a hat. A savvy company needs to be flexible to act on these new opportunities, and can't be bogged down by an old legacy system. Manufacturing ERP has to be able to adapt. 

Planning efficiently
Efficiencies are particularly crucial in the manufacturing world. Every single step in the process needs to be optimized, or else an entire product could fail. This is where manufacturing ERP software shines, because it streamlines every critical step. By automating tasks, this software saves time and money while reducing human error. ERP software for manufacturing also improves demand planning, so manufacturers produce the right amount of goods. This improved demand planning reduces cost by cutting out wasted time and resources while eliminating the need for extra storage space. Additionally, this software helps manufacturing firms manage their brand by delivering on time with accuracy. 

For a customizable, cloud-based ERP solution built for manufactures, Microsoft Dynamics NAV means all your needs. At Accent Software, we help growing businesses implement Dynamics NAV, because we understand the importance of customizable manufacturing software. If your legacy system isn't cutting it, contact us to see the difference a modern ERP system can make. 

Requirements for discrete manufacturing business software

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Discrete manufacturing refers to producing finished goods that are easily countable and sortable. There goods are often made from smaller components. Some examples include furniture, electronic equipment, toys and airplanes. As opposed to process-manufactured goods, discrete goods can be identified as individuals, whereas process goods are difficult to break down because they're usually liquids or powders. 

Discrete manufacturing requires separate characteristics in its business manufacturing software. Combining smaller component into a complex finished product can require sophisticated systems to help manage the whole workflow. An ERP software solution that addresses these requirements can help a discrete manufacturer streamline processes and improve the bottom line. 

Customization
While many discrete manufacturers stick with specific plans for their products, some operations offer more customizable goods. These custom goods can be made to order, and to properly track information the ERP software needs to be able to adapt to new custom workflows. 

"An inventory management system is crucial for discrete manufacturing companies."

Quality management
Since discrete products are usually created by combining components, there are additional steps in the process. ERP software must be able to manage quality assurance checks and help track both the components and the finished products. This tracking can include regulatory requirements and safety inspections. 

Inventory management
An inventory management system is crucial for discrete manufacturing companies. Tracking products accurately helps ensure quantity requirements are met and finished products are delivered to clients. This can also include a demand planning extension, which helps ensure the ideal amount of goods are manufactured. 

Identification of basic components 
In a circular economic model, discrete goods can be broken down into their basic components at the end of the product lifecycle. Ideally these components can be used again for new products. An ERP solution for discrete manufacturers should be able to identify basic components in addition to finished products. While not every manufacturer is part of the circular economy, this is a growing trend. 

At Accent Software, we help growing businesses learn and implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV, a flexible and customizable ERP software that supports discrete and process manufacturers. We understand the importance of smart software for manufacturing to streamline workflows, boost productivity and foster innovation. If your legacy system isn't cutting it, contact our team to see the difference a modern business management software solution can make.

Business management software for process manufacturing

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Process manufacturing is the production of goods in bulk quantities, such as chemicals, paints, food and beverages. These goods are not individually countable. This is opposed to discrete manufacturing, which involves the production of countable goods such as machine parts, cars or electronics.

Goods manufactured through process manufacturing usually can't easily be broken down into smaller components like their discrete counterparts. Process manufacturing's characteristics give it some unique requirements in a business management software solution. It takes more than just any run of the mill inventory management system to handle process goods effectively. 

Units of measurement
As materials developed through process manufacturing are not easily broken down, the ERP system needs to be able to adapt to more flexible units of measurements. Powders and liquids require decimals places in transactions, as well as a wide range or units of measurement.

To meet regulations from organizations like the Food and Drug Administration, every single drop or grain needs to be recorded and measured. That means the ERP software needs to be up to the task of working with very small units of measurement. 

"Every single drop or grain needs to be recorded and measured."

Quality testing
Process manufacturing ERP needs to be able to record the results of the many rigorous tests that goods go through before they're shipped off to clients. An ERP system needs to have its own module for quality standards and test results. This is especially crucial for food and drug materials. 

Special characteristics
In addition to units of measurement, some materials may also have special characteristics that more traditional ERP software may not track. Characteristics such as strength and potency, shelf life or expiration date and quality monitoring for regulatory requirements need to be identified. 

An ability to trace goods
Whether its food products or pharmaceuticals, goods produced through process manufacturing usually have to be tracked after they're shipped to clients. These requirements are usually connected with their environment, their specific batch, or their test results. Tracing process goods requires flexibility and customization in an ERP solution. 

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is not just your run of the mill business management software. It's the ideal tool for process manufacturing, giving the user unprecedented ability to streamline workflow and track goods. Dynamic NAV's customization helps enterprises adapt to the unusual requirements for process goods. That's why at Accent Software, we help growing businesses learn and implement this software. We understand the importance of smart software for manufacturing to boost productivity and foster innovation. If your legacy system isn't cutting it, contact us to see the difference a modern business management software solution can make. 

The Internet of Things and its impact on manufacturing

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While the Internet of Things has changed how businesses operate in every industry, it's impacted manufacturing more than any other sector. Estimated IoT investment from manufacturing firms has grown steadily each year, reported John Greenough of Business Insider. Manufacturers are using investing by adding special integrated sensors to their equipment, allowing them to share information with one another and with the manufacturing business software, all in real-time. This network of connected machines give manufacturers an unprecedented view of the supply chain. 

Connected sensors
Melissa Delaney of BizTech noted, "Factory equipment has long been embedded with sensors. In the past, however, those sensors simply performed a function within the equipment; they weren't connected to anything. As the IoT revolution accelerates, more of these sensors are connecting to the Internet." These sensors are able to gather more data and seamlessly report their findings to decision-makers, helping manufacturers adapt and develop new competitive behaviors. 

Smarter factories
By integrating the IoT, manufacturers are worker more efficiently than their non-connected counterparts. After implementing IoT technology, King's Hawaiian was able to double its food production, reported Kylie Jane Wakefield of Forbes. The baked goods manufacturer  didn't accomplish this by adding new machines to its plants, it did it by adding connected sensors to its existing machines. Allowing its machines to share important data helped King's Hawaiian use these machines, and employees, more effectively. 

Challenges posed by the IoT
As with any big technological development, there are some challenges to be addressed when applying IoT practices. Companies that are taking this next step will need to consider that some functions will be disrupted in the short-term, but the long-term benefits are plentiful. 

  • ROI expectations: Since this is largely uncharted territory, return on investment predictions can be difficult to pin down. 
  • Cyberattacks: The increased reliance on interconnected digital tools raises the risk of cyber crime, so manufacturers will need to consider robust security solutions. 
  • Disruption: Integrating the IoT into a factory setting can be disruptive in the short term. 
  • Jobs: Automation could cost jobs for some workers, but bring in more technically-skilled jobs to manage the more advanced functions. However, manufacturers have had difficulty filling these new technical roles. 

Integrating with IoT with ERP
IoT can help your ERP system become a more effective tool for organizational efficiency. When manufacturing equipment shares real-time data, ERP software can track every business process. This unheralded transparency makes the ERP system and your business, tremendously flexible. 

At Accent Software, we understand the importance of smart software in the manufacturing industry. That's why we help implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV enterprise resource planning software to give our clients the competitive edge. If your legacy system isn't cutting it, contact us to see the difference a modern business management software solution can make. 

Real-time analytics with manufacturing software systems

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In his 2016 outlook for manufacturing enterprise resource planning, Stewart Florsheim of Manufacturing Business Technology identified ERP as a key to turning real-time analytics into a competitive advantage. With the Internet of Things, businesses have access to more data than ever before. A robust business management software system will allow enterprises to take action with this data to reach new markets, optimize production and more.

Florsheim stated that the Internet of Things grants manufacturers "unprecedented access to data on how people are actually using their products, enabling them to refine their offerings to better suit individual customers or markets." Sophisticated ERP software allows the entire enterprise to access real-time data on every facet of the supply chain, from vendors and suppliers all the way to the end users.

With cloud-based mobile technology, employees can access up-to-date information on everything from workflow protocols to customer records. ERP software automates tasks so employees can focus on serving customers and developing better products. The data integrity improvements from ERP software slashes waste from delays or incorrect orders.

Real-time analytics allow enterprises to operate in a smarter, more agile manner. According to Software AG's predictions for technology in manufacturing, companies that use real-time analytics will be able to "transform their operating models and digitally connect processes, events, actions, internal associates and external partners."

Accent Software's team has been helping manufacturers implement powerful ERP software for over 15 years. We walk your team through every step of the process while providing ongoing service and training. Contact us to see how we can help your business. 

How Big Data is changing manufacturing

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Organizations have access to more information than ever before, and they're able to get it instantly. How they use it, though, can make or break them.

Big Data has an enormous effect on every type of business, and the ones that know how to use this data will set themselves apart from the competition. Manufacturing companies in particular can benefit from this influx of business intelligence thanks to business management software systems that allow them to capture essential data. 

Improved forecasting

Louis Columbus of Forbes notes that the access to more data has allowed manufacturers to do a better job predicting customer demand. This includes identifying correlations between customer interactions and using historical data to detect patterns. 

Centralized, accurate data helps manufacturers make good decisions. Centralized, accurate data helps manufacturers make good decisions.

Operations optimization

Thanks to all of the data that's available, manufacturers and distributors have more information on the full supply chain. They can see any inefficiencies in their processes and take corrective action. The more performance metrics manufacturers have, the more educated decisions they're able to make about the process. These metrics allow manufacturers to develop more cost effective production schedules based on machine availability, customer data, cost constraints and supplier schedules. 

Mobility

Sashi Reddi of CSC notes, "As companies become more data-driven, it's only natural that those insights find their way into the hands of people who can put them into action." Mobility amplifies the power and effect of data analytics because decision-makers have more flexibility to access this information wherever they are, and it's instantly actionable. 

ERP software allows manufacturers to harness all of this actionable data in a central hub. All departments can get on the same page and communicate more clearly by accessing the same information. Modern manufacturers rely on accurate and up to date information to stay ahead, making manufacturing ERP software an essential tool. 

Demand planning with Microsoft Dynamics NAV

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One of the most important benefits of inventory management software is the ability to accurately schedule for customer demand. If you're unable to meet your client's volume requirements for a new promotion or product, you will lose business. A manufacturer that can adapt quickly and plan well for its customers' needs will thrive. Enterprise resource planning solutions help small to medium manufacturers to make these smart forecasting decisions.

Accuracy

According to TechTarget, proper demand planning through ERP tools can "guide users to improve the accuracy of revenue forecasts, align inventory levels with peaks and troughs in demand and enhance profitability."  ERP software lets manufactures anticipate customer behavior based on a number of factors, thus improving the full supply chain. 

Proper demand planning helps you manage your supply chain. Proper demand planning helps you manage your supply chain.

The ERP Software Blog notes that demand can often seem ineffective in the supply chain, but the right ERP software can optimize demand planning and help you properly forecast for customer needs. ERP software inputs essential data such as historical sales trends, supplier forecasts, seasonal trends and business constraints to give you the full picture. 

Flexibility

PlannerOne software for Microsoft Dynamics NAV lets manufacturers accommodate customer needs with powerful scheduling systems that are flexible and customizable. This intuitive and user-friendly tool lets Dynamics NAV users fully visualize the entire planning process.Allowing users to implement scheduling systems to fit customer demand is what makes Dynamics NAV the best ERP solution for small to medium manufacturers.

Accent Software understands the importance of accurate demand planning in the manufacturing industry. This is why we work with Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Contact us to learn more about how we can help implement powerful demand planning solutions for your enterprise. 

Automate tasks with ERP software

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At a small to medium-sized enterprise, every employee has to fill multiple roles. Fulfilling timely, accurate orders can mean the difference between success or failure. An inventory management system and an accounting management system, both provided by electronic resource planning software, allow an SMB to automate many time-consuming tasks so employees can focus on providing service to clients. 

Processing orders
The business accounting system generates and processes purchase orders and automatically, so your materials come from vendors promptly and you can fulfill customer orders quickly and accurately. Tom Miller of ERP Focus notes that ERP software allows you to collect a customer's order through an online portal and generate it in the system automatically, cutting down on processing time. 

Invoicing
As an enterprise grows, creating and sending invoices can become extremely time-consuming. ERP manufacturing accounting software can automate the invoicing process, reducing the time it takes to generate and process invoices.This frees up time and resources to focus on more pressing concerns. Improving the invoicing process means issuing payments faster to keep vendors happy and increases cash flow. 

ERP software automates many everyday tasks. ERP software automates many everyday tasks.

Production
Implementing an ERP system applies up to date industry best practices and optimizes your workflow by automating many tasks. This helps eliminate many inefficiencies that lead to idle machines and other types of waste. 

Human Resources
ERP business management software helps HR departments automate everything from generating reports and calculating deductions to updating employee records. ERP systems centralize all of the important data, so HR teams don't have to waste time filling out paperwork with redundant information.

At Accent Software, we can help your ERP implementation go as smoothly as possible, so you can be well on your way to running a more efficient operation. We're proud Microsoft partners, and we help SMBs use Microsoft Dynamics NAV for their business intelligence and automation. Contact us to learn more about the many ways our team of experts can help.