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Essential Features of Manufacturing ERP Software
Scott Priestley | June 04, 2010

Introduction
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can seem like giant beasts when yourealize how integrated they can be with nearly every function in your business. From the Sales and Quoting process through Material Planning, Procurement, Scheduling, Shop Floor Control, QualityManagement, Outside Services, Shipping & Logistics, Customer Service, Finance and Human Resource Management, an integrated system can be tied into nearly every function. This brief will help you understandhow the functions link together, help reduce the overwhelm and highlight where you can realize the most value.

Analysis
The Five Building Blocks of an Integrated ERP System: When doing processanalysis it’s imperative to identify your requirements from beginning to end - from Quote to Cash. However, when looking at the overall components of ERP, its helpful to segment it into the five buildingblocks - customer relationship management (CRM), manufacturing execution systems (MES), quality management systems (QMS), supply chain management (SCM) and executive information systems (EIS).Customer Relationship Management: Effective management of the Customer experience certainly begins with Sales, but includes touch points throughout the order cycle. Typical CRM functionality includes: •• • • • • • • • Lead/Contact Management Sales Process Management Quote and Order Entry Contract Management Order Status Shipment Tracking Customer Service Field Service / Performance TrackingReturns/Exchanges/Warranty Service

Manufacturers can improve pre and post-sales processes as well as the entire customer experience by integrating some or all of these functions.

Focus Research©2010

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Manufacturing Execution System: This portion of the system enables the manufacturer to reduce material, inventory and labor costs through demand-driven procurement, lean scheduling...