Everything you need in one place
Over the last few years, we have created a ton of content about ERP implementations. This blog brings our most popular articles together for you in one place! In no particular order, here are our 20 best resources.
Your ERP Implementation & Go-Live Date is the Beginning, Not the End
A little background
When I started as a plant manager, we were running the business with two software systems. One was a well-known accounting package that did what it was designed to do. The other was a home-grown production system and we had no access to the source code. It was a constant problem. Our IT person spent half of his time keeping it running. For all that effort and cost, all it did was produce various lists of orders we had. We didn’t know our costs, our bottlenecks, or our open capacity. (That’s the short list of information we were missing.) Every decision we made was based on gut feel and inaccurate/bad data. The company knew how to make their product, but they didn’t know how to manage a production floor.
Our Top 15 Infor Product Resources from 2019
Manufacturing is our passion
At Visual South, we create a lot of content for our website. We publish at least 52 blogs each year, along with videos and white papers. Our passion is to help manufacturing companies become better, more efficient companies. Not to brag, but we are good at what we do; we know a great deal about our industry and share what we know.
ERP Implementation Timeline & Project Plan
There’s a method
Creating an ERP implementation timeline can be a difficult process. There is no standard template that will magically fit all projects, as every one is unique. No two businesses, even in the exact same industrial segment, are alike. Each has a different scope, team, and availability. However, what’s typically the same for just about all small to medium-sized ERP implementations are the core phases and tasks to get from purchasing your new solution, to going live with it, and beyond. This blog will discuss Visual South’s methodology for an ERP implementation project plan.
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The Hidden Costs in ERP Implementation
Overlooked costs when implementing ERP systems
The Visual South team has over 25 years of experience with implementing ERP applications. We have basically seen it all when it comes to ERP implementations and come to recognize the characteristics of successful implementations, as well as the warning signs when an implementation is at risk. The good news is that the typical implementation goes as planned and is successful. But a common challenge that can derail the implementation process is a failure to identify hidden costs. Companies must have a plan to manage those hidden costs.
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ERP implementation
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The Issue with Using QuickBooks for Manufacturing
QuickBooks & manufacturing have inherent problems
QuickBooks is an accounting-focused application that’s built for small businesses. Offering a lot of great features, it is one of the most commonly used accounting programs for all types of small companies. However, it is not an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. There’s some improved functionality available with QuickBooks Enterprise, but companies tend to outgrow that functionality quickly—especially work-order-driven manufacturers. We have seen many companies struggle when trying to determine how to use QuickBooks for manufacturing.
ERP Implementation in the Manufacturing Industry
What does it consist of?
An ERP implementation in the manufacturing industry typically consists of two companies—the company that provides implementation services and the company that procures them—working together to successfully bring the ERP implementation live.
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Why Visual South is a Good Choice as an Infor Channel Partner
Important decisions take thought
Your ERP forms the backbone of your company. It is the platform that people use to support and execute the processes that make your company work. ERP software is a “tool” for a job, but how you use that tool is what separates good companies from great ones. ERP is also a large, often one-time investment. The partner you choose to help you bring this tool to life and apply it to your business to get the most out of your investment is of vital importance and should be carefully considered. Of all the Infor Channel Partners, here are some reasons we think Visual South is the best.
ERP Implementation Strategy: Advice From 30+ Years of Experience
Attitude isn’t everything
I’m a fan of a “can-do” attitude. Having a positive attitude helps you overcome obstacles and get through anything life throws at you. If a new ERP implementation in a manufacturing industry is something life will be throwing at your organization, a can-do attitude is the right attitude for the implementation team to have.
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What We Look for in a Consultant at Visual South
Experience in manufacturing
Visual South’s number one criterion in hiring consultants is experience in manufacturing. Almost all of our customers are responsible for making or repairing something, and the entire business usually revolves around work orders. With this being the case, our consultants have to understand manufacturing. Typically, they held a leadership position in a manufacturing company, such as controller, CFO, plant manager, CIO, COO, or other similar titles.
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ERP implementation
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