When Should JobPack Become Part of Your ERP Implementation?

If you’re onboarding a new ERP system, ask us to join the conversation sooner rather than later.

In the ecosystem of manufacturing software, ERPs tend to be the apex predator. The big fish. The top of the food chain. If a manufacturer is upgrading their systems, their ERP is where they’re most likely to start. Because of this, manufacturers commonly want to get all the way through their ERP implementation process before turning their attention to other details. That’s an understandable impulse, but it can also lead to some missed opportunities.

We’ve found that manufacturers tend to bring us into the conversation either at the beginning or at the end of an implementation—during the middle, they’re just far too busy with the implementation itself. From experience, however, we have found that the earlier they talk to us the better. That’s because our team can offer insight into how to link your ERP with your manufacturing floor that can guide your process and make sure the solution you settle on meets your needs.

So before decision fatigue sets in and all your attention is absorbed by your ERP implementation, it’s worth taking a step back and bringing in our team as MES consultants to make sure you’re set up for success. Here’s how we can help.

1. Make sure your budget covers your complete solution.

Many ERP systems come with some form of production scheduler, but it isn’t until businesses sit down to use it that they realize it isn’t adequate for their needs. If they spent all their budget integrating an “all-in-one” system, they may find themselves in the unwelcome situation of having no resources left to make that final connection between the front office and their shop floor.

On the other hand, if you have the opportunity to demo our software early on in your decision process, you can compare our features with the capabilities of your preferred ERP. From machine monitoring to data collection to data analytics, we can make sure your budget covers all bases.

2. Discuss details about ERP integration before you commit.

ERP integration is often a highly idiosyncratic process. No two businesses are the same, and for that reason, integration projects have to be adjusted to meet their unique workflows, production processes, and workforces. Understanding the requirements of a new ERP system is the first step toward a successful implementation.

At JobPack, we have extensive experience integrating with ERP systems of all stripes. In fact, we haven’t met an ERP we couldn’t integrate with. Because our knowledge of these systems runs deep, we can offer insight into how we might integrate it with JobPack. Some of the best-known ERP systems we’ve worked with already include:

• E2
• Globe
• Great Plains
• JobBoss
• Microsoft Dynamics
• RealTrack
• SAP & SAP Business 1
• Sage & associated products
• …and more.

We’ve even worked alongside some ERP resellers to offer a paired demonstration of our products. When we have the opportunity to be part of the early sales conversations, it allows us to be more productive during the implementation, because we can jointly integrate both systems.

3. Benefit from production scheduling sooner rather than later.

Finally, you don’t have to wait for your ERP implementation to be finished to begin benefiting from JobPack’s production scheduling solutions. ERP projects can take months if not years to complete, but JobPack can be up and running in a matter of weeks, streamlining your factory floor and eliminating inefficiencies.

Early implementation of JobPack has another benefit as well. While your ERP is getting set up, JobPack is gathering essential data from factory operations, including overall equipment efficiency, order progress tracking, and other KPIs. This data is invaluable in its own right, and can help you put your ERP to better use once it’s up and running.

Don’t let decision fatigue set your operations back.

As tempting as it is during the middle of a large onboarding process to defer some decisions until later, early selection of your MES solution can yield steep dividends faster than you might expect. In fact, working with JobPack can proactively free up your mental bandwidth to focus on the ERP implementation by helping your factory floor run more smoothly:

• More accurate job estimates will reduce your overages and help you meet your delivery dates.
• Real-time machine monitoring will give you oversight over your operations from the front office without needing to make a trip to the factory floor to check on progress.
• Robust scheduling tools will show you your projected capacity, allowing you to make informed decisions about new job orders and scheduled maintenance.
• What-if scenario planning will help you develop response plans so that you can head off threats and respond to opportunities with confidence.

In short, with fewer fires to put out, you can devote your attention to aspects of your business that will help your company grow. And by reducing risks, eliminating waste, and expanding opportunities, JobPack will grow your bottom line—giving you one more reason to sleep easier at night.

We’re not an ERP, but if you’re bringing on a new ERP, you’ll want to talk to us. Our service representatives can schedule a demo with your team to show you the capabilities of our software any day of the week. Request a demo today, and let us show you what efficiency looks like.