ERP Features: A Complete List of Key Functions
Gone are the days when ERP systems were the exclusive playground of corporate giants. According to current forecasts, the global ERP software market is poised to surge from USD 53.77 billion in 2022 to USD 123.42 billion by 2030. And the main drivers of growth are small and midsize manufacturing businesses.
Why? Without an ERP for manufacturing, a barrage of operational challenges could be knocking on your door daily. From sluggish and error-prone data collection to unreliable reports, subpar quality control, and haphazard planning – the absence of automation can erode efficiency and leave your business vulnerable to fierce competition.
In this article, we'll explore the crucial ERP features for manufacturing businesses, and provide you with valuable insights on how to choose the right deployment method for an effective manufacturing digital transformation.
Let’s get started.
What are ERP systems
ERP software for manufacturing is unique in the way it connects all these different parts of your business. It collects data from various sources, clears it from duplicates, and organizes into a single, reliable source of information. It's almost like a control center for your company.
Benefits of ERP software
While the benefits of ERP software depend on the range of ERP functions, some of them are universal.
- Data Quality and Security. ERP systems standardize, centralize and secure your data, which reduces fragmentation and the risk of breaches. This consistency makes data more reliable. As a result, you get faster, more accurate and actionable reports.
- Compliance. ERP systems support a wide range of financial standards and regulations, and allow you to customize reporting tools. As a result, you can keep your records up-to-date and easily accessible for audits.
- Visibility. ERP makes all aspects of your business visible. Features of ERP allow teams to access real-time data and get rid of bottlenecks in various processes.
- Productivity. ERP automates repetitive tasks, reduces time spent on searching for information, and frees up employees for higher-value projects. This helps to motivate your employees and avoid additional hiring.
- Cost Savings. Features of ERP software reduce administrative and operational costs through task automation. On top of that, your system can provide insights on cost-saving opportunities, and help you prevent rush orders or overproduction.
ERP features and functions
An ERP system consists of a set of interconnected modules that communicate with each other and share a unified database. This section delves into the ERP system features that are crucial for manufacturing enterprises.
Automation
ERP software can automate business tasks like payroll, invoices, order processing, etc.
For instance, a company might need to place a purchase order for raw materials and pay the bill fast to stay in line with credit terms and deliver the product quickly. Your ERP system can easily automate the payment process or send you bills for approval. This ERP functionality will contribute to greater customer satisfaction and bigger revenues.
Integration
ERP integration brings all the crucial financial, operational, and business data into one central hub that everyone in the organization can access. This feature sets ERP apart from other software solutions and helps to prevent confusion and errors.
Businesses that use ERP systems get a unified source that helps them make better decisions, spot opportunities, and keep everything running smoothly.
Finance
A finance module covers essential financial operations, assists companies in monitoring both accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR), and facilitates financial closure. It can generate comprehensive financial reports, ensure adherence to revenue recognition standards, manage financial risks, etc.
BOM
Bill of Materials (BOM) is a document that describes components, quantities, and production stages needed for completion of your product. With features of manufacturing module in ERP, you can easily distribute BOM across your production facility.
A good module can include support for single or multi-level BOMs, revision tracking for audit purposes, and import of BOM data from design software or Excel. These functions of ERP can provide valuable insights into production costs and profitability for various departments.
Inventory management
A robust ERP system can include multiple features of manufacturing inventory management software.
For instance, it can use the information on resource capacity, minimum inventory levels, and sales forecasts to predict production needs. Then, you can automatically generate purchase orders for raw materials and production orders. These features of ERP help you reduce manual effort, improve inventory control, and consistently meet production deadlines.
Sales order management
ERP sales order process makes sure that products are delivered to customers on time. It monitors the entire order lifecycle, from order entry to final product delivery. Many ERP systems simplify tracking of customer orders and quotes, and provide information on invoices and billing details. This helps to address potential issues that could cause delays.
CRM
A CRM module consists of a database with customer details, such as contacts, order history, purchase orders, and prospect statuses. A CRM module can automate PO completion and send prospect-related notifications.
For example, when a prospect progresses to a predetermined stage in the sales pipeline, the system triggers alerts for account executives to initiate follow-ups. As a result, this ERP feature improves the performance of your sales and customer relationship teams.
Supply chain management
ERP systems can help to manage purchase orders and work orders, as well as transfer orders across different locations. With supply chain predictive analytics, you can also set inventory targets and spot areas where you can improve control over supply chain operations. These features of ERP system help companies become more responsive and efficient in supply chain management.
HR
Custom ERP software often comes with an HR module that covers fundamental HR tasks like time tracking and payroll. You can also extend ERP capabilities with add-ons or suites that help you manage employees and oversee payroll, recruitment, onboarding, compensation, and time management. Complex HR functions such as tax deductions and benefits management can also be automated.
Batch management
Identification of production lots is one of the crucial ERP system features in industries dealing with materials like chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
A batch process ERP can assign a unique batch number to each quantity of the material in a plant. This batch number, along with the material number, becomes the identifier for tracking these stocks.
With a batch manufacturing ERP, you can identify critical materials whenever there's a goods movement. These features of ERP systems enhance quality control and traceability in production.
Asset management
An asset management module in ERP isn’t commonplace, but can be a part of a custom ERP system. ERP asset management module oversees the entire lifecycle of complex physical assets, such as machinery, vehicles, and equipment. The common ERP software features cover maintenance, monitoring, management, and predictive forecasting.
How to choose an ERP system
In this section, we discuss the most common types of ERP systems. This will help you navigate through the options and choose the best ERP software for a manufacturing company.
Cloud ERP
Cloud ERP is usually delivered as a subscription service over the internet. Since there is no substantial upfront expenditures, it is considered highly-cost efficient, especially as a short-term solution. Cloud ERPs are easy to integrate and need minimal infrastructure management.
However, cloud ERP’s monthly cost is higher compared to on-premise solutions. This makes your expenses roughly identical to on-premise solutions in the long run.
On-premise ERP
Traditionally, ERP solutions were deployed on-premise. In this model, you install and maintain the ERP within your organization's own data center. This gives you a lot of control and autonomy, which is highly important for businesses in complex and specialized industries.
On-premise ERP systems are even more easy to customize compared to cloud solutions. This allows you to fine-tune the system without making a lot of changes to existing processes and workflows. Also, your organization gets full responsibility for data security. This gives you full control over sensitive information.
Hybrid ERP
Hybrid ERP represents a pragmatic combination of both cloud and on-premises ERP systems. More and more enterprises recognise that on-premises ERP, while solid and reliable, may require significant investments to align with evolving business needs.
To address this, organizations integrate cloud ERP solutions into their existing on-premise framework. As a result, they can expand their solution with ERP features like eCommerce, CRM, collaboration tools, and more.
This strategy offers a low-risk balanced approach, since the established core of on-premise ERP continues to function reliably. At the same time, the cloud is used to incrementally introduce specific, limited functionalities one project at a time.
Why choose custom ERP development?
In this section, we’ll talk about the benefits a custom ERP can bring to the table.
Flexibility and scalability
A subscription-based system can't always grow as your business does. Even if you pay more, you might not get all the functions you need, and adding extra ERP features can be difficult.
Custom ERP system is different. It's designed to work just right for your business and can adapt as you grow because of its modular structure. With custom ERP, you're in control, and you can add or change things to fit your needs.
Adaptability
Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, custom manufacturing ERP software is tailored to meet the specific needs of each business. Developers create these systems to match the company's unique workflows, applications, and internal divisions. For example, you may develop customized systems for different teams, which can boost efficiency throughout the organization.
Minimal workflow change
Custom manufacturing software automates various operations within your existing company systems, databases, infrastructure, networks, and applications. Importantly, this happens without extensive changes and modifications.
This means that there is a minimal gap between your current systems and ERP, which ensures smooth transition. Outsourcing ERP implementation to a trusted partner can also help to implement new software without disruptions.
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A Case Study
The Client: Conexwest is a leading container manufacturer in the United States that specializes in production and supply of a wide range of shipping containers for domestic and international markets.
The Solution: ProjectBoard manufacturing production app is a tool that combines features of ERP such as tracking tasks, team communication, and file sharing, all wrapped up in an easy-to-use interface. With Apiko’s software engineering services, Conexwest managed to consolidate tasks into one user-friendly dashboard.
Here's how ERP system development improved Conexwest's operations:
- Optimized Inventory Management: Precise control over inventory allowed for proactive planning and reduced excess stock.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined processes boosted operational efficiency.
- Informed Decision-Making: ProjectBoard.io provided actionable information and helped to make well-informed business decisions that maximized profits and minimized errors.
- Resource Allocation: Custom ERP development for manufacturing improved the allocation of resources which ensured effective use.
- Greater process control
- Increased revenue
- Reduced wastes (asset misuse, workforce downtime)
- Effective human resource allocation
Download our PDF guide and gain insights from Conexwest's success story.
Conclusion
For manufacturing businesses, ERP features such as inventory management, BOM, finance, and sales order management are key.
If you want to develop ERP software, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apiko. We can consult you on how to build an ERP system and will provide a dedicated team for ERP development. It’s time to start your enterprise digital transformation!
And the list of cases where the native apps work best for:
- businesses that consider the store presence a must
- the app requires tight integration with the device's hardware
- the apps with a subscription model or those with in-app purchases
- AR rendering solutions and games
- the apps using biometric authentication
The bottom line: once you define the best platform for building an application, the choice of the development approach becomes obvious too. You never know what might grow out of a wild idea. If you have one that deals with PWA or native apps, get in touch with Apiko. We are current with technological trends and experienced in building both types of apps.