Can You More Fully Utilize Your ERP System? Undoubtedly, yes. ERP has always been a core specialty of LMA Consulting, and we have worked with every single client on selecting, utilizing, and upgrading ERP capabilities. In our experience, 100% of clients can more fully utilize their ERP system. Why [...]
Manufacturers utilize less than 20% of the full functionality of their ERP systems. But the key question is, why does it matter? In today’s inflationary and supply chain disrupted business environment, manufacturers need to automate and digitize to ‘do more with less’ and thrive during these volatile times. One important way to achieve this goal is to further leverage your ERP system where it will make a difference.
During times of volatility it is of paramount importance to stay in tune with your customers. Otherwise, you could set and execute strategies that are a waste of limited time, money, and resources as conditions evolve. We are seeing a great reset occur. Baby boomer owners of closely-held companies are selling.
As clients become interested in S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning), also known as SIOP (Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning) to get in front of customer requirements while simultaneously increasing margins and profits, executives want to know if software is required to support S&OP success.
"Our most successful clients are not hiding under a rock and maintaining status quo during these inflationary times," points out Lisa Anderson, president of Claremont, CA-based LMA Consulting Group, Inc. and manufacturing expert known for creating supply chain resiliency."
If there is one thing in common with every client (big or small) in the current business environment which is characterized by significant volatility and uncertainty, it is the increased level of complexity of supply chains. As the old saying goes, you are only as strong as your weakest link in your supply chain!
Every client has an overload of data. Whether using a modern ERP system or struggling with a complex maze of manual spreadsheets, the one item in common is an abundance of data. We have worked with clients with archaic ERP systems, but so long as we can extract data, progress can be made.
Every successful client is experiencing rapid growth and changing customer requirements. To support this growth in a scalable, profitable manner, a modern ERP system is not preferred; it is a base requirement.
2021 was plagued with shortages. As discussed in clients’ demand planning/ forecasting meetings, history is not representative of the future. In one example, the client experienced material shortages and couldn’t sell what customers requested, and so carrying that forecast into the New Year would deliberately carry that issue into 2022.
Technology is a tricky topic. On one hand, almost everyone has put technology and ERP implementations on hold due to concerns about COVID impacts and to conserve cash. On the other hand, it is the best time to gain employees' attention and focus to upgrade technology to scale the business, create a superior customer experience and deliver bottom line results.
