Manufacturing ERP Software for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
Manufacturing ERP software helps small and mid-sized businesses manage materials, labour, production planning, work in progress, and costs in one connected system. Instead of relying on separate spreadsheets or disconnected software, manufacturers can bring important production and business information together.
Aquilon’s manufacturing modules include Product Definition, also known as Bill of Materials and Bill of Labor, Work-In-Progress, and Production Requirements and Planning for Manufactured Items. In addition, these functions connect with inventory, purchasing, sales, and accounting within the same ERP system.
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Manage Bills of Material and Labour
Product Definition helps manufacturers establish standard bills of material, labour requirements, and overhead allocations. As a result, teams have a clearer understanding of the materials and work required to manufacture each product.
Keeping product information organized in one system can also improve communication between departments. For example, sales, purchasing, production, and accounting teams can work from related product information when planning and costing jobs.
In addition, accurate product definitions provide a stronger foundation for production planning and cost analysis.
Track Work-In-Progress
Work-In-Progress provides visibility into manufacturing activity that has started but has not yet resulted in a finished product. Therefore, manufacturers can better understand which products or jobs are currently moving through production.
This information can also help teams coordinate inventory and production activities. However, accurate reporting depends on employees entering reliable product and transaction data.
For this reason, proper setup and consistent processes are important when implementing manufacturing ERP software.
Improve Production Planning
Production planning gives manufacturers a structured way to plan the products they intend to make. In addition, connecting production requirements with inventory and purchasing can help teams understand which materials they need to support upcoming work.
Rather than managing production plans separately from other business information, Aquilon connects manufacturing with other ERP functions. Consequently, purchasing, inventory, sales, manufacturing, and accounting can operate within a more coordinated environment.
Manage Standard and Custom Products
Aquilon can also support manufacturers that offer customer-selected product variations.
For example, an interior or exterior door pre-hanger may combine different materials, labour requirements, hardware, and specifications such as handing and swing. A configure-to-order process can capture those decisions during order entry. As a result, production teams can clearly understand what the customer ordered.
Other manufacturers may produce repeat products using standard product definitions. Alternatively, some businesses may combine standard manufacturing with occasional custom work.
Aquilon can support different workflows depending on your products, production processes, and operational requirements.
Connect Manufacturing With Inventory and Accounting
One advantage of an integrated manufacturing ERP system is the ability to connect production with other areas of the business.
Aquilon brings manufacturing together with inventory, purchasing, sales, and accounting. Therefore, businesses can reduce their dependence on separate systems and spreadsheets for different parts of their operations.
For example, production requirements can relate to inventory and purchasing activity. At the same time, financial information can provide managers with greater visibility into costs and overall business performance.
Find the Right Manufacturing ERP Setup
Every manufacturing business operates differently. Therefore, the right combination of Aquilon manufacturing modules depends on your products, shop practices, production processes, and reporting requirements.
To determine the best fit, show us a representative product along with its material and labour requirements. In addition, explain the steps an order follows from sales through your shop.
We can then demonstrate the relevant manufacturing ERP software functions and identify any requirements that need a closer fit review.
See Aquilon Manufacturing ERP in Action
If your business has outgrown spreadsheets, basic accounting software, or disconnected production systems, Aquilon can help you explore a more integrated approach.
Request a demonstration based on your products and manufacturing processes. See how Aquilon can connect materials, labour, inventory, purchasing, production, and accounting within one ERP system.
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Find out if Aquilon is the right fit for your business.