A study by George Mason University highlighted some of the manufacturing benefits of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system like those we deploy at Accent Software. Here are some of their key findings:

• Inventory management. The study highlighted the advantages for inventory turnover rate data, as well as the management of overall inventory. Due to these advantages, manufacturing and marketing employees are more prepared to manage inventory. Legacy MIS systems, the authors found, could not provide the same quality of information to decision makers. 
• Product line change. Often, manufacturing enterprises rely on customer forecasts to identify demand in the marketplace, which could differ from reality. ERP systems give users a more reliable and timely set of data to assist in changing inventory. Users also enjoy better intelligence on which to base estimation or order commitment dates. 
• Timely delivery. Because data sets are fully integrated in an ERP platform, information like inventory, orders, works in process and production schedules are more easily updated and accessed. This helps speed up organization processes for better partner satisfaction. 
• Information sharing. "One major benefit of ERP systems is the integration and availability of information to employees," explains the study. "Departments such as manufacturing and marketing will receive consistent data to reflect business processes and transactions across functional areas. The information sharing is very difficult to achieve before ERP implementation when information systems are implemented just for one business function at a time creating so called islands of automation."
• Knowledge sharing. Not to be confused with information sharing, this finding addresses collaboration in managerial decision making. With a fuller view of the entire enterprise, executives have stronger knowledge sets upon which to base their decisions. 

As a trusted Microsoft partner, Accent Software helps you define your ERP strategy, working with you to design and implement the manufacturing business software that is best suited to your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions.