Enterprise resource planning (ERP) has become a necessity for manufacturers like you. However, a thriving market for ERP solutions has pulled many decision makers into the so-called ‘paradox of plenty': with so many software choices available to you, how can you make the best decision?
Selecting an ERP can be a time-consuming, confusing and stressful process. The four tips below can help your manufacturing business get to the ERP decision point in less time. We also think that you'll have far greater confidence in the decision you make. Here we go!
1 . Find an ERP that's designed for your industry and business model
The widest part of the ERP ‘funnel' is industry. Sure, you can find an accounting program with a manufacturing module or two; but any manufacturer at scale needs to filter out ERPs that are not specifically designed for the industry. That's because manufacturers need an ERP to manage complexities such as scheduling, work in process, inventory, customer service, financials and so on. There's simply too much at stake for manufacturers to look elsewhere or make do with less.
The next step is to drill into those manufacturing-specific ERP solutions that best align with your business model. ERP manufacturing solutions are available for process and discrete manufacturing; make to order and make to stock; engineer to order and configure to order; and so on. Your company can benefit from using a solution that has been developed over many years with input from manufacturing end users like you.
An important caveat: don't go with an exotic solution that is not well-supported by others. There's no shortage of intelligent people with great ideas in this world, but you don't want to risk being part of a business or technical experiment gone wrong.
2. Make sure the ERP can help your company improve customer service (as you define it!).
Customers pay the bills. The ERP must empower you to work more closely, collaboratively and sustainably with customers. For example, a good customer relationship management (CRM) application is useful for tracking business communications within the customer service, marketing and sales groups.
Manufacturers, of course, have customer service challenges that are greater than most. Most customers won’t award their business unless you can quickly turnaround quotes that include accurate delivery dates. Customers often inquire about job statuses, change orders, compliances and so on. For these reasons, enterprise-wide access to data is critical. When your employees are empowered to quickly, accurately and completely answer your most demanding customer's inquiries, then your business gains advantage over others who can't do the same.
Sometimes, the computer reseller's responsiveness to your request is telling. Are the reseller's representatives attentive? Do they provide accurate, timely information to you? If not, then the reseller may not have the solution you need. After all, how can the reseller credibly implement a best practices solution for you when they can’t do it for themselves?
3. The solution must be adaptable, configurable and scalable
Manufacturers must be able to quickly adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Some events may not be under their control. For example, an environmental catastrophe in a distant land could disrupt the global supply chain in unexpected ways. You might gain an opportunity to win new business as customers scramble to find new suppliers - but you might be presented with that very same challenge, too!
That's why manufacturers demand ERP solutions that are adaptable to changing business conditions, configurable to industry standards and scalable to support your growing business needs.
It's an accepted best practice to ask the prospective ERP vendor fair but tough questions. Ask for an on-point demonstration about how the solution can support you when you need it the most.
4. The ERP must support ‘smart' manufacturing.
At this point, you should have narrowed the list of prospective ERPs in the funnel to just a few. These ERPs are designed for your industry and specific business model. These ERP will help you improve customer service. It's adaptable, configurable and scalable. In short, you believe these ERPs will support your company as it navigates through ever-changing business conditions.
There’s one more thing to consider. The future is arriving fast. Any investment in ERP that is worth making today must include the ability to support your smart manufacturing needs tomorrow.
Most manufacturing industry consultants agree that analytics is a good first step into smart manufacturing. Decision makers can be empowered with real-time access to data that is displayed to them using ‘executive dashboards'. These tools are useful for presenting data to ordinary end users, too. We've seen manufacturers reap significant gains in productivity, efficiency and teamwork when analytics are available on displays throughout the plant in order to help workers stay on task.
Going forward, you'll want to challenge the reseller to communicate the software supplier's go-forward plan to support your long-term factory automation goals. Look for a solution provider who can talk knowledgeably about the challenges your company faces - not just today, but tomorrow, too.
Contact our industry experts to learn how to build a foundation for Smart Manufacturing and gain a competitive edge.
This article is guest content from our Infor ERP Partners, Synergy Resources. Synergy Resources has helped hundreds of manufacturing companies achieve their business goals with innovative, manufacturing-specific ERP software solutions and services.
Necessary social distancing measures are calling for a new way of learning. To obtain safer training conditions, institutions and companies are relying on a remote style of learning. Technology has ensured that the constant need to continue learning is still present in a disconnected world. With remote training, participants receive flexibility to work from any location, companies save on travel, training schedules spread across multiple days, virtual networking opportunities increase, and it allows for continued access to the best resources. These benefits should not be overlooked when compared with the traditional way of education.
With virtual learning students can work from any location, eliminating the time spent and costs incurred to fly people onsite to be with a trainer. Since users will not have to travel to each other’s business locations, contact will be kept to the absolute minimum. While trainees can stay home and cut travel cost to a minimum, they also benefit from flexible training schedules. Training classes can be spread out over longer periods of times to encourage work on training and working on company time. This allows trainees to maintain a balance of learning and working for productivity during this time. With this flexible approach to training, businesses can achieve a lot more with less money.
Attendees of a training or workshop can network with other attendees and thought leaders on subjects important to them. More connections are made with people that would usually never meet in person but have similar knowledge and experiences. Gaining skills from experienced workers and then applying them at their company will boost efficiency. Users can also be positive that they are learning from a skilled instructor in a quality course. When taking a class or training online, users are taken through material that has been tested and proven valuable numerous times. Participants can be sure that they are receiving quality training from an expert instructor.
Take Advantage of Remote Infor Configurator CPQ Training
With these benefits, it is hard to deny that virtual learning has proven its worth. Now more than ever, it is important that companies take advantage of virtual training. At RenaissanceTech, we have utilized remote CPQ training to continue collaboration between the best resources and our customers – all while keeping our employees and customers safe. Our remote infor CPQ training courses are specifically tailored for teaching configurator rules writing as efficiently as possible. If you would like to attend our remote CPQ configurator training, register for expert help today!
Infor CPQ Allows Manufacturers to Harness the Full Power of the Contact-Less Sales Process
Challenges and changes from COVID-19 continue to weigh on manufacturers throughout the nation. Factories have started or will soon start enacting physical and social distancing in their work environments. Upholding social distancing measures will cause less face-to-face communication amongst employees and customers. This raises red flags for many manufacturers who worry that efficiency and output will decrease due to a lack of communication. Luckily, these worries can be negated with the adoption of innovation throughout their organizations.
The manufacturing industry has adapted and will continue to adapt to these striking changes. The health and safety of people are essential in the industry. The way facilities run will evolve into a more sanitary style with a decentralized workforce. Business will rely on technology and software to lead this new way of working. Manufacturers and suppliers will use nonconventional, innovative ways to communicate and connect with each other, dealers, and customers. The software will help facilities collaborate and automate their processes. With Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ) software, manufacturers can streamline their ordering process to be as efficient and safe as possible. CPQ software is a centralized, online ordering system, ideal for remote collaboration and an optimized, contactless sales process.
Simplified Product Visualization: The Invaluable Benefit of Infor CPQ
Sales representatives can communicate and submit orders remotely with Infor CPQ. There is no longer a need for anyone to pass product catalogs and various papers back and forth. Product options are presented in a simple, step-by-step guided selection method, making even the most complex product configurations comprehensible for the customer. When creating a quote, 2D images populate during the selections, giving the customer a visual representation of what the product will look like. With Infor CPQ software customers can feel confident with the design and specifications of the product their ordering, without ever seeing the product in person. When the configuration is complete, the salesperson can automatically send a quote document to the customer. This quick remote communication builds trust from the customer and will ultimately lead to more sales for the team.
Seamless ERP Integrations For Manufacturing Companies
Not only does Infor CPQ connect a sales team with eager customers; it also connects the sales team with the shop floor employees. Infor CPQ integrates with the ERP system of a manufacturer to connect the entire organization. Once the customer is ready to order, the sales representative can submit and send the order to the ERP system, eliminating the need to pass a quote to someone else for order entry. These submissions can include BOMs, routings, instructions, and product details. With straight forward communication amongst the sales team and shop floor, errors dwindle, and resources are saved. Sales representatives and dealers can accomplish all of this remotely, during social distancing for health and safety.
Learn More About Infor CPQ Software & Empower Your Sales Team
Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has changed and will continue to change the way that we live everyday life. It is imperative that manufacturers adapt to these changes for the health and safety of everyone. Producing adequate output while following guidelines is challenging during this difficult time, but innovative software systems make it easier. Engage in powerful sales conversations and send orders remotely with Infor CPQ. Empowering your sales team is essential for manufacturing success in times of hardship.
This Blog is authored by our trusted Infor CRM Partner, Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. By: Jessica Wert, Marketing Coordinator at Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. March 31st, 2020
Often we see manufacturers utilizing the latest and greatest technology in their factories and making the investments in ERP software to keep production efficient. What about where it all begins….the sales department.
Are you arming them with the best tools to generate more orders? Are you able to see all the crucial parts of the quote to order process in one place?
Bringing Infor CRM to your sales process can complete the picture. Infor CRM allows manufactures’ to build a complete sales process customized to their business. With functions like Opportunity, Activity, Lead and Account Management you can create a process that drives sales growth.
Sales professionals have a lot to keep up with; emails, quotes, bid due dates, customer visits and the list goes on. It is near impossible to keep up and remember everything. With an opportunity management process to create and follow up on quotes with customers; leadership and sales can stay in the loop on what needs done and by when. Combined with the activities and alerts in CRM sales staff will never miss a bid deadline or forget to follow up. Infor CRM also gives you mobile and Outlook versions that all sync in real time, making it extremely efficient. Record emails and notes directly from your Outlook with Xbar and have customer information in the palm of your hand with Infor CRM mobile. Using a CRM to control your sales process leads to more closed opportunities.
Another piece that is important to manufacturers is the Infor ION Integration. This Infor CRM out of the box Integration brings CRM, ERP and even your Configure Price Quote (CPQ) software together. Not to mention other 3rd party software tools you may be using. Having your software “talking” back and forth creates a cohesive business environment. Giving access to data across departments for sales, production, accounting and service will lead to increased sales and pipeline visibility. Creating this visibility to quotes, orders and general sales notes helps other departments jump in when needed to help close a sale. Now forecasting, setting quotas and communicating lead times are easier than ever.
Ask yourself; why not invest more in one of the most important departments in your company? Sales! Arm your team with all the tools to succeed. Remove the road blocks of forgotten information so that they can focus on selling. Infor CloudSuite CRM can do some of the heavy lifting for them; making them more efficient and better sales professionals!
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. is a customer relationship management (CRM) business consulting and software development firm. We provide implementation, integration, development and training for Infor CloudSuite CRM. We have been helping our customers develop stronger relationships with their customers through improved sales, marketing, customer service, and support processes since 1994.
Infor CloudSuite CPQ at RenaissanceTech
RenaissanceTech has over 200 successful CPQ implementations and is the only Infor CPQ specific channel partner. The founders of RenaissanceTech worked on the initial development of the infor CPQ solution. If you want to work with the experts in CPQ implementation, servicing, and support, contact RenaissanceTech today.
