Nowadays, ERP systems have now become a very important tool for all businesses for many decades. ERP software can automate critical business functions while acting as a central database to carry all operational and functional data throughout the organization. The software fetches data from different modules to assist various departments, including accounting, human resources, supply chain, inventory control, etc.
Every ERP module is specifically designed for particular business processes while offering data and supporting the manufacturing processes that will aid employees in executing their jobs.
However, every module fuses in the ERP system such that the manufacturing ERP software can offer a central point of precise data even when added new modules are added. Manufacturing ERP modules are the driving elements having different uses in the ERP software structure.
Uses of Manufacturing Industry ERP Modules for Businesses
Today, ERP software has become ubiquitous and is all set to fulfil the shifting demands of the business. However, a company in the manufacturing industry can buy erp modules as required by their business models and functions. The company can also address new challenges per an organisation’s growing needs.
Core Manufacturing ERP Modules to Consider
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Finance Module
The finance accounting module is the essential module of the modular erp software since it aids businesses in grasping the present financial state and future trends. The most important features of this module include General Ledger Management, AR (Accounts Receivables) & AP (Accounts Payable). It will also create and store important financial documents like payment receipts, balance sheets, and tax statements.
The finance accounting module in the manufacturing process field is one of the leading manufacturing ERP modules that can also automate all business processes, including billing, cash management, vendor payments, etc. It helps the accounting department make the closures quickly while also complying with the present recognition standards.
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Procurement Module
The procurement module is known by another name of purchasing module, which aids companies in securing varied products and raw materials to sell or manufacture goods.
Organizations can, however, keep a checklist of specific vendors in the purchasing module and can attach that supplier to particular items (for example- motor vehicles), assisting supplier relationship management. The manufacturing erp module can help automate the requests while also tracking and analyzing them.
The procurement department of manufacturing industries sends out purchase orders after accepting a particular quote. However, it can track the purchase order once the seller executes the sales order while shipping the products and updating the inventory levels once the order comes.
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Inventory Management module
The inventory management module of the ERP solution helps to get inventory control by monitoring product quantities and the location of personal SKUs. The module delivers an extensive scene of current and internal incoming inventory via the procurement tool integration.
The software can assist companies in managing their inventory costs while ensuring that they have enough stock.
An inventory management module of manufacturing ERP software can check sales trends with respect to the available product to assist companies in making informed decisions to enhance inventory turn. Businesses lacking SCM modules might also use an inventory management application to manage sales, shipping, and purchase orders.
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Order Management
Order management is one of the most critical manufacturing erp modules to consider. It can track every order from receipt to delivery and takes care of all warehouse operations, retail stores, distribution centres, and more.
The modules also help prevent orders from getting lost while boosting timely delivery to satisfy customers and remove unnecessary expenses for extra shipping.
However, some tech-advanced management applications can assist an organization in checking the most efficient option to fulfil an order.
<<Also Read: Top Five Benefits of HCM and ERP Integration>>
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Warehouse Management
The warehouse management module is another one of the best manufacturing ERP modules that can help deliver a quick ROI for organizations running their own databases. It can effectively guide warehouse executives through various business operations depending on the facility’s layout and industrial equipment.
The module can also assist companies in planning more labour based on the predicted volume order.
Additionally, the module can aid various picking strategies, including wave picking, zone picking, batch picking, and more. The types of picking strategies would depend on which one suits the business.
Whenever the module integrates with order management apps and inventory management apps, the team executives can detect the perfect products and then finalize the shipments faster. Undoubtedly, the faster a delivery gets, the more the chances of increased customer satisfaction and manufacturing output.
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Customer Relationship Management
The CRM module stores all critical customer and prospect information along with the company’s communication history with the date & time of emails and calls.
The CRM module enhances customer services to a great extent so that the executives can get easy access to all the data needed while collaborating with a customer.
Many companies utilize CRM modules to conduct sales opportunities and leads and can easily track communication with suggestions and prospects that are required to be targeted.
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Human Resources Management
The HCM module has all the required workforce management features and offers extra functionalities. The module might work as a CRM for manufacturing industries’ executives.
The HRM module includes all detailed records of employees and saves varied documents like offer letters, JDs (job descriptions), performance checks, and more. It can also track the hours spent by employees along with the sick days and other leave types’ up-to-date information.
The best advantage of having an HRM module for the manufacturing industry is that it removes a lot of data redundancies that might be saved in different spreadsheets.
<<Also Read: Difference Between Discrete and Process Manufacturing?>>
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Ecommerce
Some ERP vendors offer a specific module among other manufacturing ERP modules for companies to sell their products/services online. This module helps companies quickly launch B2B or B2C websites.
The most recent commerce apps in the manufacturing sector include eco-friendly and user-friendly tools that help employees quickly add new products while updating product information and changing the website’s feel and look.
Once the eCommerce application is completely integrated with the rest ERP applications, then every payment data, inventory data, and order data fetches from the e-commerce module in a centralized database.
It ensures that all transactions are successfully added to the ledger and out-of-stock items are eliminated from the orders and shipped on time.
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PSA Module (Professional Services Automation)
The PSA module is also one of the main Manufacturing ERP modules, which is also called a service resource management module that assists businesses in making a strategy and managing projects well. The most frequent use of this kind of module is in the service-based manufacturing modules.
Here, it monitors the project status while also managing human and capital resources. It also aids managers in approving the timesheets and expenses as well.
The module among the rest manufacturing ERP modules also makes collaboration between the different departments easy while keeping every document centralised. Moreover, the PSA module can prepare the essential bills of the client depending on the billing cycle rules.
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Production Management
The module is specifically used to design and provide detailing of the large-scale production process that must be followed to manage raw materials in finished goods/ products.
The production management module includes a process master feature that aids create a wide list of functions used to produce products.
This module of an ERP system also embraces other features like item machine relation, process characteristics, job card, consumption details, wastage details, breakdown details, production output, manpower & material usage, etc.
<<Also Read: The vital role of ERP in Manufacturing Industry>>
Wrapping Up
Today the world is full of applications and software that can be used to carry out the most critical tasks. So, it is pretty impractical and outdated to use traditional methods and outdated manufacturing ERP modules in the manufacturing industry. However, the above-mentioned manufacturing ERP modules can help you achieve your manufacturing business goals and can offer high profits.
Sage Software Solutions is a leading IT company with an array of advanced ERP Software solutions. Our proprietary products — Sage X3 and Sage 300 will help you cut your operational expenses, improve business productivity, increase operational efficiency, forge robust customer relationships, and strengthen association with vendors, suppliers, and distributors. So, if you are looking to reinforce your business fundamentals and emerge as an industry leader, then please schedule a call with one of our sales representatives.
