Small manufacturers face a recurring challenge. The business has grown past the use of spreadsheets, but at the same time, it’s not yet ready to go all out for a big ERP system. As ERP system might involve investments of tens of thousands of dollars, IT specialists, and downtime during implementation. Luckily, there are no two options for you either chaotic spreadsheets or ERP transition. With the advent of best-of-breed solutions and low-code automation platforms, small manufacturers can create efficient automation on the go, without breaking their budget. Here are the steps you need to take to automate your manufacturing process.
Use a “Best-of-Breed” Approach
Whereas the approach of a comprehensive ERP system is “one system to rule them all,” this may be excessive in case of small businesses. The way forward is to use what is commonly called the “tech stack”. It is a combination of separate applications that are interoperable with each other. Rather than having a manufacturing application within a giant ERP. One can pick the most suitable accounting application (e.g., QuickBooks).
Thanks to a more targeted approach where specialized manufacturing applications are used in place of an overly bloated ERP system. In which Work Orders and Bill of Materials come included.
Integration Platforms for “Gluing”
Perhaps the most compelling case for an end-to-end ERP system is its ability to store all information in a single system. But now, thanks to iPaaS platforms such as Zapier, make (formerly known as Integromat), or Workato, you may be able to integrate your applications without any coding experience.
In other words, you could simply set up some “triggers” to manage your processes. For instance, “Whenever a new order enters our shop using Shopify, instantly create a Sales Order in QuickBooks and a Work Order in our inventory application.” In this way, your sales, accounting, and shop-floor employees can see the same real-time information.
Use a “Lite” MRP System
While you probably don’t require the extensive supply chain forecasting processes required by a Fortune 500 organization. But you will still require an MRP system. Find yourself a “Lite” MRP system geared toward small-batch manufacturing organizations. These solutions are generally plug-and-play systems that cover the basics of inventory control, production scheduling, and shop floor management. They are specialized products and can thus be implemented much more quickly than an ERP, giving you automation capabilities in just a few days.
Digitize the Factory Floor with Barcode Technology
While automation, mainly a software technology domain, is really the process of capturing information. For smaller manufacturers, the primary issue holding them back from full automation is that they have not yet solved the problem of recording production details using the “clipboard” approach.
Using barcode scanners along with a tablet can allow you to automate tracking how time is being used and how inventory items are being consumed. By scanning an item when the production starts, the system will automatically reduce the inventory by the appropriate amount and assign the cost to the production run.
Bottom line
Automation is a process, not an end state. Don’t expect yourself to swallow the whole elephant at once. With specialized applications and intelligent integration, you will be able to craft your very own personalized and streamlined production/manufacturing system. Don’t wait for perfection just start solving your individual problems through automation.
