Business intelligence is at the top of the list for IT investments for many manufacturers, but integrating advanced analytics with legacy systems is somewhat complicated. In order to ease this transition and simplify the approach to leveraging BI for improvements in manufacturing, firms are turning to their ERP systems and business management software solutions to align new and old for maximum effect.

According to Automation World, the benefits of business intelligence in the manufacturing industry boil down to cost efficiency. A primary reduction of operating costs will enhance operations, free up resources for further improvements and provider flexibility in work processes. More money to work with means an easier time adopting future technologies and trends.

The advantages manufacturing ERP software provide lie in data availability and access. By improving these two factors, firms will have an easier time implementing analytics, developing insights and reports and turning that data into a valuable resource in their operations. The idea is that increased availability of data will drive its use in more complex ways to deliver value and reduce problems in other areas. From flagging key data sets for future consideration to improving collaboration over reports, businesses will be able to assess their resources and analyze cost and value of any process or change. If a firm wants to invest in new machinery or replace an entire process with a more up-to-date technology, it will be able to assess the financial risks easily and determine the best value for the company as a whole.

Optimizing business accounting systems will provide additional benefits as well, which will add up over time. The combination of business intelligence platforms with ERP solutions will drive many manufacturers into the next stage of business evolution while boosting their ability to adapt to future trends as well. However, these advantages don't come without challenges.

In order to truly embrace business intelligence solutions and leverage them in the manufacturing sector, firms have to align their data to new processes. Simply investing in high-quality ERP software isn't enough — companies need to leverage it in the right ways. This will lend itself toward advanced data analytics and improved utilization.

ERP software serves another purpose in developing stronger business intelligence practices as well. For most companies, it allows for advanced reporting on data before it even enters the BI platform. improved organization of data sets in accounting, inventory management and other key processes will translate into stronger relationships between these departments, the back office and the actual production floor. In turn, firms will be able to embrace productivity improving solutions as well — such as automation — with ease.

The key is to invest in the right manufacturing software in the first place. By aligning operational needs with high-quality ERP solutions, a company can improve its back office, data management and related resources in ways that will align operations for future growth and set a higher standard of operations as a whole.