Manufacturing Software Explained: Frequently asked manufacturing software questions
How much does manufacturing software cost?
You can buy some simple manufacturing software (see links below) for a few hundred dollars. Much manufacturing software costs thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to install and setup, however. Note, too, that manufacturing software for really large manufactring firms can cost millions of dollars.
Does manufacturing software really deliver a high return on investment?
Well, it really should be. Manufacturing software at the very least should reduce inventory costs. Manufacturing software, for example, should mean that a manufacturing firm carries less inventory and makes fewer inventory mistakes. Manufacturing software that integrates with sales order systems should mean that customers get better service and faster order turn-around times. Manufacturing software can also help a firm's cost accountants get a better handle on manufacturing costs.
One thing to keep in mind is that, in a sense, it is manufacturing software that allowed successful manufacturers such Toyota, Dell Computer, Intel and General Electric to become the super-efficient manufacturing firms that they are. These lean manufacturing firms operate much more efficiently and with very low inventory requirements as compared to old-style manufacturing firms.
Is manufacturing software difficult to install or setup?
The manufacturing software installation and setup part isn't difficult. What's challenging is getting all of the data into the manufacturing software system (such as inventory information, bill of material information, and so on) and then training people how to use the manufacturing software. Note that with manufacturing software, many people actually use or interface with the system: engineers designing products to be manufactured, purchasing agents working with vendors and suppliers, factory floor personnel responsible for making products, and customer service people taking sales orders. All of these people need some degree of training in how to use the manufacturing software
Does manufacturing software replace my regular accounting software?
Maybe sort of. What you may do is buy a system that includes all the traditional manufacturing software functionality and in addition traditional general accounting functionality. Note, though, that this doesn't mean a firm would roll out a completely new system all at once. Typically, firms roll out systems in pieces, one module at a time. Perhaps the manufacturing software components would get rolled out first. And then after that, other information software components are rolled out.
Where can I get more information about manufacturing software?