4 tips for
choosing
the right
manufacturing
ERP solution
Manufacturing sector
Article
It’s no secret that enterprise resource planning
(ERP) solutions for manufacturing tend to be more
expensive than ERP solutions for other industries. In
manufacturing, organizations tend to face more involved
technical integrations and require higher levels of
customization to achieve the results desired from an ERP
solution. Fortunately, there are a few ways to reduce
the complexity of choosing the right manufacturing
ERP solution.
1 2 3 4
Create a Comprehensive List of
Must-Have Features
The rst step in selecting the
right manufacturing ERP solution
is to create a list of all of the ERP
features your organization wants.
Call it a wish list, because in most
cases, that’s what the initial list
becomes. It usually includes every
features that is both necessary
and nice to have. Then, divide that
list into three parts: must-have
features, highly functional but
not necessary features, and nice-
to-have features. When the list is
complete, you should have a solid
understanding of which features
are required and which are just
nice extras. This list also makes it
possible for competing vendors
to more accurately quote their
products and services.
Evaluate Mobile
Capabilities Honestly
As you’re evaluating features,
keep mobile capabilities in
mind. Tablets and smartphones
have become essential devices
for most organizations, and
they could have value in a
manufacturing setting, as well.
Rather than having to return to
a desktop computer, shop oor
managers and other active users
could access ERP functionality
where they stand on their tablet
or smartphone. This capability
could be a great bene t to an
organization. Just make sure that
mobile really holds value for your
organization before investing in
the capability.
Justify the Necessity of
Every Customization
Manufacturing ERP systems
are typically highly customized
because no two organizations use
exactly the same manufacturing
processes. That said, many
manufacturing ERP solutions
on the market today may meet
your needs without you having
to customize every feature. Look
closely at the customization you
plan to undertake to ensure that
it’s truly necessary, because
customization at installation
also means customization in
maintenance and upkeep, and
it doesn’t take long for that to
create burgeoning costs and time
requirements that can derail any
ERP project.
Integration Should Be Part of
the Selection Process
One more selection criterion
to keep in mind should be
integration. Integrating an ERP
application into existing systems
requires a high degree of IT
management and involvement.
Some applications can be
integrated more e ectively than
others, however, and vendors for
applications already in place may
be able to o er the desired ERP
solution as an add-on or extension
of the product that’s already
installed. Such an option makes
integration faster and easier than
it would be if your organization
were to select a completely
di erent vendor for its ERP
solution. Even if you decide not to
use the same vendor for customer
relationship management and
ERP, for example, consider how
the integration process will a ect
the application you chose and
the environment into which it
is integrated.
At Columbus, we help our customers digitally transform their businesses
and improve the value realization of their business application investments.
We mitigate the inherent risks associated with implementing, upgrading
and replacing legacy ERP systems. We lead our customers with best-practice
consulting services we have refi ned over thousands of engagements. We take
care of our customers and aspire to keep them for life.
To learn more about how Columbus
can help you get the most out of your
Microsoft solution, contact your local
Columbus o ce.
www.columbusglobal.com
4 tips for choosing the right manufacturing ERP solution
It’s no secret that enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for manufacturing tend to be more expensive than ERP solutions for other industries. In manufacturing, organizations tend to face more involved technical integrations and require higher levels of customization to achieve the results desired from an ERP solution. Fortunately, there are a few ways to reduce the complexity of choosing the right manufacturing ERP solution.