Tips

Tips

• 3-D printing evolves, finds unique place in manufacturing

  Despite drawbacks, 3-D printing will continue to revolutionize design, development and production of unique, low-volume complex parts.  Continue Reading

• Procurement and finance: Be partners, not enemies

  Finance and procurement must be partners, working together to contribute to a company's goals, including operational and financial performance objectives  Continue Reading

• Lean manufacturing and lean accounting go hand-in-hand

  Many companies have adopted lean manufacturing to reduce costs and increase efficiency. But traditional accounting procedures don't measure up.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturer finds success with cloud-based ERP system

  When it came time for international expansion, Shaw Industries turned to a cloud-based ERP system. The company couldn't be happier.  Continue Reading

• Managing change key to successful ERP implementation

  The most innovative and successful ERP implementations invest in the organizational change management required to make their projects succeed.  Continue Reading

• CPM tools and BI: A winning combination

  Companies can benefit from further integrating CPM tools and BI, whether they're still evaluating CPM or already use CPM and BI software.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturing operations management merges ERP and MES

  As integrated manufacturing systems evolve, a new term -- manufacturing operations management -- signifies the merger of ERP and MES.  Continue Reading

• Using predictive analytics methods to answer business questions

  Need to know where to put your next store? Or whether or not a promotional campaign will work? Predictive analytics methods may be the answer.  Continue Reading

• How to move from Excel to financial management software

  Before switching from Excel spreadsheets to financial management software, companies need a plan that aligns with their finance processes -- and one that will scale as the business evolves.  Continue Reading

• Tracking too many KPIs is counterproductive

  Don't overdo KPIs -- a handful should be enough to capture the essence. Any more than that dilutes the user's attention, drawing focus away from key measurements.  Continue Reading

• Lean and sustainability strategies meld for supply chain transformation

  Some manufacturers are expanding lean and sustainability strategies to the supply chain to reduce waste and bolster efficiencies, but extending these practices outside a company's four walls won't be easy.  Continue Reading

• Six tips for making the move from Excel to BP&F software

  Users and experts share tips on replacing spreadsheets with specialized software for budgeting, planning and forecasting.  Continue Reading

• SAP SCM expands supply chain management options for manufacturers

  In this expert product review, learn about the modules and implementation options offered by SAP Supply Chain Management.  Continue Reading

• Demand management through S&OP

  In this expert tip, learn how manufacturing demand management can be improved through sales and operations planning.  Continue Reading

• For technology change management, engage employees early and often

  A communication consultant shares proven tips for ensuring ERP project success.  Continue Reading

• Maximize the ROI of ERP projects with an ERP center of excellence

  An ERP consultant with experience helping organizations establish ERP centers of excellence answers some basic questions.  Continue Reading

• SCM systems vs. ERP systems

  In this expert tip, learn how supply chain management systems compare with ERP.  Continue Reading

• Preparing a budget for service-oriented departments in three steps

  HR and IT provide services to other departments, which makes preparing a budget a bit more complicated than usual.  Continue Reading

• Updates of cloud-based applications not as automatic as they may seem

  According to experts, some of the onus still falls on users to update cloud-based applications, despite vendor promises of automatic upgrades.  Continue Reading

• Budgeting process case studies demonstrate how to keep it simple

  Barry Wilderman analyzes two budgeting case studies and breaks down their differences and similarities.  Continue Reading

• Developing an ERP project plan for end-user acceptance

  The long-term success of an ERP project often hinges on how well users adapt to -- and accept -- the new system.  Continue Reading

• Budgeting software vs. Excel: Which one meets your organization's needs?

  To make your decision easier, read expert Barry Wilderman's explanation of the pros and cons of each, plus cloud considerations.  Continue Reading

• Getting senior management on board with ERP projects

  Executives' commitment in an ERP project -- or lack thereof -- can make or break it. Expert Steve Phillips offers tips for getting management involved.  Continue Reading

• Which budget technique is right for your organization?

  Budgeting is not one size fits all. The size of your organization may determine which technique fit bests. Try these techniques on for size.  Continue Reading

• How business process redesign is affecting ERP

  In this expert tip, learn how business process redesign fits into the ERP implementation process and the role that business process management plays.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for ERP and WMS integration

  In this expert tip, learn how to successfully integrate a warehouse management system with an ERP system.  Continue Reading

• Best-of-breed WMS vs. ERP advanced warehouse management

  Adopting the right WMS is critical to warehouse operations. Find out if best-of-breed WMS is right for you.  Continue Reading

• 10 tips for optimizing ERP vendor support

  Getting the most out of ERP vendors means making sure ERP maintenance costs are reasonable and worth the money. Find out how.  Continue Reading

• Comparing ERP deployment options: Rapid vs. traditional

  Deciding which ERP deployment option to choose -- rapid deployment or the traditional method -- depends on business needs.  Continue Reading

• IT Challenge: Preparing for warehouse robotics

  In this IT Challenge, learn how to prepare a manufacturing facility for adoption of warehouse robotics.  Continue Reading

• How warehouse automation can be tightened up with RFID

  RFID can be a powerful tool for improving inventory control and tightening up warehouse automation.  Continue Reading

• Avoiding common pitfalls of mobile ERP platforms

  Deploying a mobile ERP system can be complicated, especially when errors pop up. In these expert tips, learn how to handle -- and avoid -- common mobile ERP mistakes.  Continue Reading

• How to examine and deploy new WMS technology

  Warehouse management systems have evolved over the years. An industry expert offers tips for getting the most out of WMS technology.  Continue Reading

• User site visits aid with ERP implementation prep

  Learn how user site visits and proper executive education are critical to ERP implementation success in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturing PLM tools beginner’s tutorial

  In this guide, learn the basics of PLM tools, including software selection, implementation, and cloud computing options.  Continue Reading

• Building a better ERP implementation strategy

  The first step to a successful ERP implementation is planning. ERP expert Steve Phillips offers his insight into developing a winning ERP implementation strategy and creating your implementation timetable.  Continue Reading