How ERP Helps Discrete Manufacturers Remain Competitive

The landscape is changing for discrete manufacturing businesses. Between the pandemic and COVID-related uncertainty to regulatory changes and environmentally conscious customers, there are a lot of challenges facing manufacturers. Fortunately, software and technology help discrete manufacturers remain agile and adapt to market changes.

In this article, we’ll cover four ways that ERP for discrete manufacturing help manufactures remain competitive.

Four Benefits of Discrete Manufacturing ERP

ERP software offers numerous benefits to discrete manufacturers.  The types of benefits they offer will depend on the specific type of software and the needs of your business. That said, here are four main benefits of using ERP software to streamline operations across your business.

1. Regulatory Compliance – Manufacturers deal with a lot of regulations. From regulations on working conditions to regulations mandating supply chain traceability, there’s a lot to manage. It’s easy for compliance issues to slip between the cracks. Adopting the latest technology helps organizations remain compliant with changing regulations, which helps them avoid hefty fees or fines for regulatory noncompliance.

ERPs increase visibility into and control over your business processes. They produce more consistent data and greater workflow efficiency throughout your company.

2. Adaptability – ERPs help discrete manufacturers adapt to market changes. Increased visibility into your own processes and workflows will help you more quickly identify and correct errors, or areas of declining profitability. They’ll help you adapt to changes in customer demand.

Products are becoming more complex. As the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart products become commonplace, and even expected, companies are having to change their approach to customer service. As an example, a coffee maker that the manufacturer once would never have been involved with again after it left the warehouse may now require regular software updates.

Servitization is a strategy where companies shift from focusing on offering products to offering services. It’s impacting the manufacturing industry in a big way. It allows discrete manufacturers to improve customer satisfaction and grow profits at the same time. Of course, attaching services to your products also adds complexity and places new demands on your company. ERPs help companies evolve to accommodate these demands.

For many discrete manufacturers, it’s no longer a choice about whether they want to evolve. It’s a necessity to remain competitive and relevant.

3. Track KPIs – A comprehensive solution for manufacturing automation, ERPs make it easy for companies to set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs). Your ERP installation is a single source for important operational and financial data—the exact data that management needs to make the best decisions for your business. Best of all, all this data is in real-time, so you’ll never be stuck wondering if you’re using last month’s data again.

ERPs allow discrete manufacturers to simplify their financials. They present data in customizable dashboards and reports that makes it easy to identify trends.

4. Increase Profitability – ERPs streamline operations and improve profitability. They increase data visibility, eliminate disparate systems, and increase inter-connectivity across your entire business. They make it easier to make better decisions for your business, allowing you to take advantage of opportunities and adapt quickly to challenges and changes. This allows you to reduce costs and increase profitability.

CertiPro is an expert in discrete manufacturing ERP. We’ve worked with many discrete manufacturers to configure their Sage ERP installations to fit their needs. From managing your supply chain to managing your financial data, Sage has you covered. When you partner with CertiPro, you partner with the best—an experienced partner with many ERP implementations under their belt, and the knowledge to deliver the best software solution to fit your business needs.