A New Production Process – the Essential Advice for Setting Up

Our world is developing fast, new markets are emerging and third world markets are becoming stronger. With this comes new businesses – many of which will be manufacturing companies – and the implementation of new production processes.  This is also the case for existing companies in more established markets upgrading or implementing production processes.

There are many reasons why a company may do this, from new technology for an old product to a totally new product completely; there may be a takeover involved, where a factory running in a certain way needs a production overhaul, or there may be a new factory premises to setup along with all the processes usually involved.

In all of the cases above a consideration of the system that is needed from the get go is essential. With many current manufacturers implementing such systems whilst up and running, they do face certain challenges that can be avoided by taking advantage of an event that’s happening anyway to introduce your new system.

An MRP/ERP software system is essential for all companies running any sort of manufacturing process, even with smaller businesses that have relatively small outputs.  By using an event as a change of product, premises or process to implement your MRP system, you can not only avoid many logistical issues but essentially it gives you the ability to choose your MRP software before you purchase your production equipment; it could save you a lot of money, but if not done at the right time could cost you a lot too.

One of the main reasons why it’s essential to choose the software first, is a question of impact. The software choices that are currently available will have an impact on different areas of your production process, so you have to find the right fit for you. The wrong software can impose limitations that may damage productivity and ultimately cost you money. One of our customers owns a knitting factory, they have one machine that can knit two dresses of the same design and specification simultaneously, but it can also accommodate the use of different coloured raw materials. For many MRP systems a complex process such as this represents a challenge too great, and they can’t deal with such complexities. By choosing your software at the start, you will be able to make sure it can handle the demands of your specific needs, and not leave an important area unmanaged.

To implement MRP software from the beginning can be considered as a framework for the setting up of the organizational and production processes as a whole. A good piece of MRP software will guide you through the necessary steps to creating a successful and streamlined process. The importance of having your business processes set up correctly from the beginning must not be underestimated. In the long run, you will not only save yourselves and your team the headaches of making a current process fit your new software, (making the process much easier) but it will also save you money both initially and over time; and that is where the value lies.