Advances in technology are bringing changes in every industry, including manufacturing. As a result, there’s an opportunity to increase productivity by incorporating key elements of the digital revolution, including automation, machine learning, and interconnectivity.
You get all that when you make Microsoft Dynamics 365 for manufacturing your enterprise resource planning (ERP) choice. The platform allows companies to improve customer satisfaction and gain more comprehensive visibility into warehouse and supply chain operations.
The Importance of ERP Solutions for Manufacturing
The past few years have brought about many challenges for manufacturers. While things are improving, the impacts of those global shocks are still being felt widely. As a result, it’s more apparent than ever that organizations need a way to adapt to future changes in a way that lets them adjust quickly and still achieve company goals.
Making Dynamics 365 your ERP solution for manufacturing lets you connect your business systems to data resources across your organization. Centralizing your information into one source of truth makes it easier to gain insights that help you spot potential issues in your manufacturing operations before they affect your business processes.
What is Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing?
As the digital landscape becomes more complex, you’ll need tools capable of handling the introduction of new machine technology, labor resources, and more complicated supply chain processes. The business management solution seamlessly tracks and manages supply chain issues. In addition, the platform provides access to tools capable of streamlining operations and increasing employee output.
With Dynamics 365, manufacturing businesses can harness the power of future-facing technology like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT). For example, you can add sensors to the manufacturing floor to track inventory flow. That way, you can have real-time updates on the movements of different products and know when you’re running low on the essentials.
Distributors and manufacturers can obtain a holistic view of everything from the supply chain to delivery schedules. Dynamics 365 for manufacturing uses automation to eliminate the manual repetition of tasks. Providing a common platform for employees makes it easier to analyze, troubleshoot issues, and solve problems that typically arise in various manufacturing processes.
Challenges for Manufacturers
Manufacturers constantly deal with problems like bottleneck issues, labor shortages, and the need to keep data secure from cybersecurity threats. Technology like Dynamics 365 gives organizations what they need to move beyond legacy systems and overcome the risks of operating in the digital age.
Other problems that manufacturers are looking to overcome by investing in a quality ERP system include the following:
- Better efficiency — Dynamics 365 can inform you of what you have in stock and if it’s enough to fulfill customer orders. In addition, manufacturers can automate everyday tasks, which helps with resource scheduling and reduces downtime.
- Data spread everywhere — The spreadsheet struggle is real, and you can eliminate it with the right ERP solution. Instead of pulling together multiple spreadsheets when you need information, Dynamics ERP’s centralized database lets you bring everything together, enabling you to obtain real-time data to inform business decisions.
- Human error — Too often, manufacturing companies have a lot of different systems that don’t talk to each other. These standalone platforms can lead to data inconsistencies, especially when relying on humans for data entry. You can replace your manual processes with automation, ensuring the information gets pulled into one system and spread throughout the business.
Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing Functionality
In addition to integrating with other Microsoft products and services, Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing provides users with a suite of business applications.
- Finance and operations — Automate your essential finance processes and back-end operations.
- Human resources — Manage complicated HR functions and end-to-end employee processes.
- Supply chain management — Use the cloud ERP to collect data up and down the supply chain and from within your warehousing facilities.
- Production — Control and manage production schedules processes like equipment, market demand, and labor.
- Customer service — Track all communications between customers and vendors across different channels.
- Business intelligence — Use the built-in analytics to manage performance, track finance, and keep up with your supplier network.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Dynamics ERP for Manufacturing
Get rid of siloed and spread-out manufacturing processes. With Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing, you can integrate core functionality like customer service, sales, and supply chain processes into one unified platform. As a result, your organization can increase transparency and improve customer experience. Let’s look at other benefits of utilizing a well-designed ERP for the manufacturing industry.
1. Flexible Management
Use Dynamics 365 to manage your end-to-end manufacturing processes. You can also monitor operations and performance using the reporting tools or integrating with Power BI and taking advantage of the dashboard capabilities. The manufacturing ERP also lets you keep up with critical key performance indicators (KPIs), access the availability of resources at any point, and use data-driven insights to inform your supply chain decisions.
2. Increased Visibility
Dynamics 365 for manufacturing lets you gain more clarity into your business’s essential supply chain and warehousing activities. That 360-degree view of what’s happening in your company helps you identify places where you can increase efficiency. You can also leverage the platform to set up structured business process workflows and connect essential operations. In addition, companies can obtain accurate metrics that help with performance improvement among the workforce.
3. Better Employee Engagement
Dynamics 365 can help you make the workplace more positive. It provides tools that help employees improve their ability to complete work tasks efficiently. In addition, you can use the platform to provide continuous feedback on employee performance and collaborate on ways to make the environment more enjoyable.
Optimize Your Manufacturing Operations
Manufacturers can’t afford to sit still and let the digital revolution overwhelm them. Internet eBusiness Solutions can help you transform your company into a modern manufacturing institution. Find out more about how we can help by scheduling a session with one of our technology consultants.
