With ever-increasing automation and the use of big data in manufacturing businesses, there is a wave of connectivity and supporting software sweeping production facilities to enable them to maintain pace with Industry 4.0.
One thing we are often challenged about is the difference between ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) software and whether having both in place is necessary. Here we take a look at the differences between them, how they interrelate, and the strengths of each.
- Topic:
- Manufacturing
The use of Excel spreadsheets for production planning and scheduling is surprisingly widespread in the manufacturing environment.
The software is familiar to many planners, and it can be seen as a quick and easy option when it comes to production scheduling.
However, there are sophisticated software solutions available which could transform the way you manage production planning. Is it time to leave Excel behind?
In this blog, we discuss how Excel is holding you back and why advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software should be part of your future plans.
- Topic:
- Manufacturing
What is Shop Floor Data Capture?
Shop floor data capture, often abbreviated to SFDC, is a process where shop floor operatives book on and off works orders in real time on the production floor. Many manufacturers are not using SFDC as a tool to help them run production more efficiently and are missing out on a huge amount of data (and therefore insight) that SFDC brings with it. Some benefits include:
- Real-time job progress – identify bottlenecks
- Accurate and complete product costing
- Productivity analysis by employee or work centre
- Planning accuracy improvements
- Topic:
- Supply Chain
A comprehensive guide for SMEs wanting to find out about Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IOT)
If you think artificial intelligence, machine-to-machine learning and automated robots sound like something from a sci-fi film, then you’re probably not alone. The fourth wave of industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0 as it is more commonly known, is often over-complicated when mentioned in trade press, so it is no wonder that many SMEs might be put off or intimidated by the concept of it.
However, in order to compete on the world stage, manufacturing businesses of all sizes will need much better control of their supply chains and processes, which is only possible by Industry 4.0. Not only will it help you secure those big, game changing clients, but it will also help to eliminate any errors that might occur from old fashioned methods like paper records. An example of this was seen recently with a customer of ours, Kirkstall Precision Engineering, who managed to secure a new contract with Rolls Royce during the UK lockdown, no doubt helped by their adoption of Industry 4.0.
- Topic:
- Manufacturing
Inefficiencies in the factory office seem to be tolerated far more than on the shop floor. Maybe this is because excessive admin is often seen as a given in office environments. However, there is such a thing as too much admin, and this leads to time and money lost every week.
- Topic:
- Supply Chain
In the UK, 15% of adults smoke cigarettes and 6% use e-cigarettes. One in four employees in manufacturing is a smoker. Type ‘smokers more breaks’ into Google and you would be barraged with angry employees complaining about their smoking colleagues.
- Topic:
- Supply Chain
In short, both MRP and ERP systems are pieces of software that help you to run your business better based on historical information, forecasting algorithms and your chosen business priorities. The key difference is the scope; MRP has a much narrower, manufacturing-centric focus than ERP, which provides business-wide benefits as well as supply chain management. To give you a better understanding of the components of each, and to help you to decide which one might be right for your company, we’ve set out some of the detail below.
Find out more about MRP and ERP, through a series of articles looking at the differences between these tools and which system is right for you and your business.
- Topic:
- Supply Chain
All you need to know about ERP and MRP before you make a critical business decision. Find out what is ERP and MRP and what they do, as well as what the key differences are between the two and which is right for your business.
When looking to invest in software it is important to ensure that the software can do what you need it to do today whilst taking into consideration that it will need to do what you require tomorrow. Future proof your business with the right tool for the job.
- Topic:
- Supply Chain
An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system is a piece of software that unifies all the information you require to run your business and provides you and your teams with the processing tools to operate at an optimum level in all areas. All departments are integrated into the one system, and therefore a customer’s journey through your company is completely transparent, providing you with real-time costs and status updates to run your business effectively, as well as providing customers with automated, real-time updates.
- Topic:
- Supply Chain
The history of lean may stretch back more than a century, but it’s as relevant today (and will be tomorrow) as it was when first conceived.
Rather than replacing lean, digital technologies are helping to identify previously unattainable efficiency opportunities and augmenting employees’ efforts to unlock unparalleled levels of productivity and innovation. Here’s what your organisation needs to know.
- Topic:
- Manufacturing
