Ways ERP Can Help Reduce Manufacturing Struggles During COVID-19 - ControlERP

Manufacturers are constantly switching gears due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The industry is constantly evaluating work-from-home tendencies, the gap between supply and demand, and constant uncertainties. This situation has brought light to the concept of manufacturing ERP that didn’t exist earlier.

During this phase, ERP has been a helping hand that offers various industries to manage business activities via-

• Remote access
• Electronic data exchange
• Automated reporting
• Real-time factory controls

However, manufacturing is one industry where ERP hasn’t played an exceptional role so far but this has changed during this COVID-19 situation.

Here we have discussed here some common COVID-19 effects that manufacturing companies are currently facing-

• Keeping track on the production units
• Encouraging employees to work from home
• Balancing shifts as per employee convenience

Keeping track on the production units

Managing manufacturing and factory activities from home is a great challenge. Some may also face the struggle of load-shedding while others may experience staff and material crunch. This raises the question of the number of people required to work at a particular time.

Manufacturing ER systems can help streamline this process, eliminate confusion, and help make optimal use of available resources.

You can schedule work well in advance, collect raw materials, discard unwanted materials, monitor equipment and output generated from it. The system can also send you timely reminders for maintenance and services.

You can acquire updates about actual production status and gain control over the manufacturing process. This ERP system is a crucial tool, especially for the current situation.

Encouraging work from home for employees

Regardless of the industry, you are in, businesses are downsizing. A limited number of people to work in plants and from home can restrict the effectiveness of your business.

It has been observed that several organizations have ERP systems in place and have successfully managed manufacturing during this crucial phase. They haven’t experienced major disruptions due to the pandemic.

• The front-end team has adequate access to the ERP system from home
• 360-degree visibility of the working
• Seamless interaction with suppliers and customers
• The system can be accessed through smartphone or any device
• Real-time updates on order status
• Access to progress ensured timely delivery

ERP software can help you run the manufacturing process effortlessly from home during the COVID-19 situation.

You don’t need professional technical assistance to run the modern ERP system. An expert can explain to you the basic flow of the system and you can run the system based on your manufacturing requirements. These systems are easily manageable with the help of the cloud. This is why the system can be easily accessed from home and from almost anywhere.

You can create a separate group in the system to assign resources and work at the factory right from your home.

The system not only helps you to manage a single plant but also coordinate among different plants. Just by sitting within comforts of your home, you can manage, assign, allocate, track and ensure production of plants in Mexico, Brazil, and New York simultaneously.

The new ERP system needs bare minimum local assistance. You can acquire day-to-day reports and updates about production units across all manufacturing units. This system can ensure smooth production of units even during the current COVID-19 situation.

Balancing shifts as per employee convenience

During this pandemic situation, manufacturers are struggling to manage the constantly changing customer demands.

There has been a tremendous drop in demands of certain products, while there is an exceptional surge in few others.

For instance, there is reduced demand for automotive products and increased demand for medical products. In case, you are associated with multiple industries, then you can increase the production of medical products and reduce producing other products that have fewer demands.

During the pandemic, companies are merging together to provide improved services to customers. For instance, you have a packaging business, then you can approach a food or medical business and provide them with secure packaging for their products.

This way, your already produced packages won’t get wasted and also can continue its production. The ERP system can provide you with real-time updates and flow of processes. You can make arrangements for raw materials, alter tools based on the current and future demands.

Manual planning, management of raw materials and shift may be time-consuming. Besides, there is a scope of mismanagement which can cause delays in the process of production.

ERP software can be a lucrative solution for manufacturers as it helps to reschedule, re-plan, and re-provision based on the existing business requirements. The software helps you to accomplish several business functions from home.

Conclusion

ERP software is an effective business tool, it can help survive the COVID-19 situation, as well as circumstances, post this situation. An ERP system can help enterprises to strengthen with smooth business processes and timely deliveries. They can help foresee upcoming events and work effectively towards them.