Blog
Blog
As a provider of ERP software to industrial leaders around the world, we have access to a wealth of knowledge in the areas of technology, innovation, and manufacturing best practices. Read our latest blogs, written by experts within our companies.
Taking Multi-Company ERP To Greater Heights With Cloud
If you have experience managing multiple companies operating in different geographies, languages and currencies, then you already know that an ERP...
Why you can’t force traditional ERP and MRP to run projects
An earlier blog outlined the differences between “regular” order-based manufacturing and project manufacturing. As a reminder, order-based...
Defining PLM
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is the process of tracking and managing a product through its entire lifecycle from the first idea through...
How to Build a Culture of Innovation in Your Plant
Innovation is what provides longevity to a manufacturing company—products do not last forever. And product cycles are shrinking, making it more...
How to Convince a CEO Who Is Saying No
Any system change or improvement project that requires an investment of capital, time or other resources must be approved by senior management and...
There’s Financing New Projects … and Then There’s Financing ERP Projects
Every company must invest in equipment and technology to increase output, improve efficiency, and grow the business. Prudent management will only make...
Succession Planning in SMEs
Many smaller companies (and larger ones as well) have no formal succession plan. Meaning, no real plan at all. This is especially troublesome in...
Bringing Sexy Back to Manufacturing
Manufacturing has an image problem. To the general public, and most importantly to high school and college-aged youths, manufacturing work is...
Data Security and Access Control: Can You Do It On Your Own?
If you have data, and everyone does, you have to be concerned about access – both enabling access to those who need the data and restricting access...
How Mobile Devices Are (And Will Be) Used In The Plant
The recent release of the Apple watch is sparking discussions about mobile technology and when or how it may impact the plant. It’s still early in the...
Lean Manufacturing: Still Relevant?
The basis of Lean Manufacturing is the Toyota Production System that was refined at, well, Toyota and other Japanese manufacturing operations and was...
How to Identify a Project-Based ERP System
Most manufacturing, and the ERP systems that support it, are order-oriented. The primary tracking and data management focus is on individual work...
How Traceability Turns Quality Assurance Into Quality Insurance
A good quality management software application can do a great job of calculating statistical data, managing control limits, documenting test results...
Make or Buy? Recognizing All the Costs
The make-or-buy decision process, while fundamentally the same as it has always been, is far more involved and complex than it was in simpler times...
Procurement Trends: From Outsourcing to Near Sourcing
It wasn’t so long ago that procurement professionals automatically sourced many parts and components (and products) from China without a second...