OptiPro Manufacturing Blogs
Get the latest insights, advice, tips and industry best practices in one place, all while empowering your manufacturing business at the same time.
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October 26, 2026
Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence with OptiPro Manufacturing and SAP Business One
Manufacturers today need more than financial management and basic inventory control. They need visibility into production capacity, materials, resources, scheduling, shop floor activities, quality, and...
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September 7, 2026
Improving Manufacturing Efficiency and Inventory Accuracy with OptiPro Manufacturing integrated with SAP Business One
A common production challenge: At 8:30 a.m., a production manager discovers that a machine scheduled for a priority order is waiting for a critical component....
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September 7, 2026
Discrete, Repetitive, or Mixed-Mode: Choosing the Right Production Approach
A production manager at a growing manufacturing facility faced a critical challenge: selecting the right production approach to support business growth, control operational complexity, and...
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September 7, 2026
7 Ways OptiProERP Improves Inventory Accuracy and Production Performance
Inventory accuracy affects nearly every aspect of a manufacturing operation. When inventory records are unreliable, purchasing may order materials the company already has; production may...
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June 29, 2026
What is Production Planning and Control (PPC)? A Complete Guide to Modern Manufacturing
Production planning and control manages and schedules the allocation of human resources, raw materials, work centers, machinery, and production processes. It finds the most efficient...
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June 18, 2026
Types of Bill of Materials (BOMs) Explained
In our last post, we focused on the advantages of automated BOMs vs. manual spreadsheet-based systems. Today, we’re going to drill down a little further...
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July 28, 2025
What is MRO Inventory? A Guide to Maintenance, Repair, and Operations Management
In the world of manufacturing and distribution, managing raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods often takes center stage. But there’s another critical category of inventory...
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July 14, 2025
Supply Chain Planning: Strategy, Processes, and Practices for Growing Manufacturers
In today’s fast-paced global market, manufacturers face mounting pressure to deliver products faster, more cost-effectively, and with higher efficiency, without compromising quality or compliance. At...
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July 11, 2025
How SAP Business One Is Embracing AI – And Why That’s a Game-Changer for OptiPro Manufacturing Customers
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it has become a business imperative. Companies of all sizes are turning to AI to work...
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December 12, 2024
SAP Business One: Roadmap Insights 2025
SAP Business One, in which OptiPro Manufacturing is natively embedded, continues to be at the forefront, offering an agile and scalable ERP solution tailored to...
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June 24, 2024
The Many Advantages of Modern Cloud ERP Over Legacy Systems
Is your ERP software unable to support new technologies or incorporate new functionalities? Are your ERP maintenance costs high? Legacy ERP systems don’t provide the...
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June 5, 2024
Outgrowing QuickBooks? Modern ERP Helps Manufacturers Maximize Productivity
For many small and mid-sized manufacturers, QuickBooks has been a lifesaver. It's a familiar, affordable solution that handles basic accounting needs. However, as your business...
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May 15, 2024
How ERP Improves Inventory Accuracy, Visibility, and Management
Inventory is a major current asset in business and should be maintained efficiently to avoid excess stock and unnecessary inventory-carrying costs. In this blog, you...
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May 15, 2024
Benefits of an ERP System for Manufacturers Over Disconnected Systems
When businesses use disparate systems that don’t “talk” to each other, it takes a lot of employee time to gather the data needed to see...
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April 15, 2024
What Are The Benefits of a Product Configurator in Manufacturing?
For manufacturers that offer their customers configurable products or made-to-order products, a product configurator helps speed and streamline order processing. It also creates automated BOMs...
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April 10, 2024
How to Track All Quote-to-Cash Steps to Produce a Final Product
From the moment a customer requests a quote to the final product delivery, a complex web of processes is in play. Managing these processes requires...
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February 14, 2024
What is Extended Reality, and How Does It Affect Manufacturing?
Digital transformation is aggressively scaling up across all sectors of the manufacturing industry. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, 3D printing, Virtual Reality, and Augmented...
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February 9, 2024
Additive Manufacturing and ERP: Enhancing Efficiency and Integration
Additive Manufacturing (AM), often called 3D printing, has emerged as a revolutionary technology potentially transforming traditional production processes. As this innovative approach gains traction across...
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January 19, 2024
ERP Security in Manufacturing: Safeguarding Data and Operations
In this tech-driven world, data is the driving force for every business, many of which use Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. ERP software is a...
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December 21, 2023
How ERP Impacts Product Life Cycle Management
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have evolved into indispensable business tools to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Traditionally associated with functions such as finance, human...
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December 19, 2023
What Are the Differences Between Procurement and Purchasing in Manufacturing?
Acquiring goods from vendors and suppliers is one of the critical and routine tasks for manufacturers. Managing, planning, and tracking finance is very important when...
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November 22, 2023
Smart Manufacturing Trends to Expect in 2024
With 2024 on the horizon, more manufacturers are adopting smart manufacturing technology. It is helping them capture benefits across the entire manufacturing value chain. Key...
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November 15, 2023
Why Sustainability is Becoming Critical for Manufacturers in 2024
In an era where environmental concerns are taking center stage, sustainability has emerged as a critical driver of success for manufacturers, big and small. Governments,...
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October 25, 2023
Why Technology-Driven Manufacturing SMBs Outperform Their Peers
A recent study published by the US Chamber of Commerce noted that small businesses that utilize technology platforms outperform their competitors and are more optimistic...
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September 22, 2023
An Overview of Inventory Forecasting
Inventory forecasting, or demand forecasting, estimates future inventory levels needed using past data, upcoming events, and market trends. Inventory forecasting ensures manufacturers have the proper...
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September 15, 2023
What Are Inventory Carrying Costs and How to Calculate Them
Inventory management is a critical aspect of any business that deals with physical goods. Keeping track of your inventory, ensuring you have the right amount...
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August 16, 2023
Optimizing Production: The Art of Line Balancing
In the world of manufacturing, efficiency is the name of the game. Wasted time, resources, and materials can eat into profits and hinder growth. This...
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August 8, 2023
OptiPro Manufacturing’s Latest 2023 R2 Release: New Functionality for Container Management, Supply Chain Planning, and Estimation
2023 R2 OptiPro Manufacturing has new features to help manufacturers make their day-to-day tasks easier and more efficient. Read further to learn the key functionality...
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July 20, 2023
How SMBs are Harnessing Powerful Data on Their Plant Floor
The manufacturing industry constantly strives for higher productivity, superior product quality, and cost optimization. In recent years, the rise of the "Smart Manufacturing" revolution has...
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June 23, 2023
How does the supply chain differ from the value chain?
In today's globalized and interconnected world, businesses operate in complex environments where efficiency, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction are paramount. To crucial frameworks help achieve these...
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June 19, 2023
Why ERP Implementations Fail and How to Ensure Yours Is Successful
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are powerful tools that integrate various business processes into a unified system. ERP projects can benefit organizations significantly when implemented...
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May 18, 2023
Creative Ways Manufacturers Can Overcome the Skilled Labor Shortage
The manufacturing labor shortage or skills gap is a major issue in the manufacturing industry. A labor shortage occurs when there is more need for...
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May 18, 2023
8 Steps in the Procurement Process and How to Optimize Them
So what is procurement? Procurement cycle in supply chain is the process of acquiring goods, services, or works from an external source. It involves sourcing,...
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April 25, 2023
Critical Logistics KPIs Manufacturers and Distributors Should Track
You may ask yourself why KPIs are important. As a manufacturer, tracking logistics key performance indicators (KPIs) can help you identify areas of improvement and...
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April 25, 2023
7-Step Action Plan to Improve Delivery Performance
As a manufacturer, timely delivery of goods to customers is crucial for business success. Meeting delivery deadlines helps maintain customer satisfaction and repeat business, while...
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March 21, 2023
Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: Differences and Changes for Manufacturers
We live in an era where it is hard to imagine the manufacturing industry without robots, sensors, and computer-enabled software systems. But, before discussing the...
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February 23, 2023
OptiPro Manufacturing’s Latest 2023 R1 Release: New Container Management and CAPA Functionality
2023 R1 OptiPro Manufacturing is now available with a new application and valuable features for more significant user benefits. Read on to learn the key...
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January 25, 2023
The Difference Between Configuration and Customization in ERP Implementation
Selecting the right ERP system is a major decision for manufacturers. The greater challenge is determining whether the system can support modern manufacturing processes without...
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January 17, 2023
9 Critical ERP Features for Discrete Manufacturers
Manufacturers need specific functionality to run their businesses effectively. When looking for a solution, you need to find ERP software with features that will fully...
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December 13, 2022
6 Difficulties Faced by Industrial Machinery Manufacturers That ERP Solves
Over the past few years, industries have undergone significant transformation driven by supply chain disruptions, shifting demand patterns, and evolving global dynamics. Manufacturers have had...
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December 9, 2022
7 Challenges ERP Helps Electronics Manufacturers Overcome
The electronics industry changes at a fast pace with constant innovations. Electronics are used in consumers’ everyday lives, both at work and at home. Electronics...
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November 23, 2022
7 Top Concerns for CFOs in 2026
The role of the CFO has evolved significantly, extending beyond financial oversight to strategic leadership and digital transformation. Today’s CFOs are responsible for evaluating financial...
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November 21, 2022
Manufacturing Trends: How to Stay Ahead in 2026
Recent years have been both transformative and challenging for the manufacturing industry. Ongoing supply chain disruptions, economic fluctuations, and workforce constraints have pushed manufacturers to...
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November 3, 2022
8 Manufacturing ERP Use Cases That Can Help Your ERP Decision
It’s difficult to determine if an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is right for your business. It provides many advantages, including a unified database with...
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October 26, 2022
Trends, Impacts, and Benefits of Industrial Connectivity for Shop Floor Machines
Remote monitoring and control of machines are growing, and according to Research and Markets, it should reach $31.7 Billion by 2026, up from $23 Billion...
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October 26, 2022
How Can Manufacturers Build Resilience and Become Sustainable?
Did you know: 90% of manufacturing leaders see a positive relationship between their performance and the sustainability transformation of their organization? 84% of consumers claim...
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September 22, 2022
7 Ways to Reduce Manufacturing Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
Saving on operational costs is one of the biggest goals for manufacturing companies. Most manufacturers look to streamline systems, reduce production costs, and increase profitability...
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September 21, 2022
The Differences Between Job and Process Costing and How to Keep Both Profitable
What is Job Costing? Job Costing is how much it costs to complete a job. It is used in manufacturing for custom orders. Getting job...
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August 24, 2022
OptiPro Manufacturing 2026 – New WMS Enhancements
We recently came out with a new product release that includes two Warehouse Management System (WMS) mobile functions using the WMS scan feature that will...
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August 19, 2022
7 Proven Methods to Increase Manufacturing Throughput
What is Throughput? Throughput is the time it takes for a product to pass through manufacturing processes on a machine-by-machine basis for a defined period. Throughput only...
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August 18, 2022
The 12 Most Important KPIs for Manufacturing Production
What’s covered in this blog: What KPIs are in manufacturing The difference between KPIs and metrics What determines a good KPI Why manufacturers should use...
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June 14, 2022
6 Reasons Why ERP Systems Are Critical for Unified Business Insight
In today’s dynamic manufacturing environment, achieving operational excellence is essential. With rapid technological advancement and heightened consumer expectations, manufacturers must adopt innovative solutions to gain...
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May 24, 2022
How to Modernize Your Supply Chain to Ensure On-time Deliveries
Supply chains have been disrupted for over two years now, beginning with the pandemic and, most recently, international conflicts. Having supplies delayed can wreak havoc...
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May 23, 2022
4 Hidden Costs of Using Outdated Technology Amid the Digital World
In the words of Henry Ford: “If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.” The manufacturing sector is...
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April 19, 2022
How Advanced Planning and Scheduling Helps Manufacturers Streamline Production
30 Second Summary APS synchronizes thousands of resources to create accurate production schedules It lets you react fast to market changes and deviations in production...
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April 18, 2022
5 Ways an Industrial Machinery Manufacturer Transformed Their Shop Floor
The shop floor is the cornerstone of the manufacturing process. It is the place where machines are set up for production, parts are assembled, raw...
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March 24, 2022
How SMBs Receive Substantial ROI from Cloud ERP
Some form of cloud technology is used by 69% of businesses according to a study by the International Data Group. Much of today’s business operations...
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March 16, 2022
5 Key Things You Should Know About Safety In the Cloud
30-Second Summary Cloud computing is the future. It is the foundation of digital transformation. Cloud ensures data security by storing datasets on robust and encrypted...
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March 14, 2022
Juggle Better: 6 Ways Production Scheduling in ERP Helps Manufacturers
Before getting into production scheduling and how it helps manufacturers, let’s have a quick look at the functions of the production department in a manufacturing...
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December 28, 2021
ERP System Price: Breaking Down ERP Software Costs
Trying to select an ERP system is complicated and so is comparing pricing. That’s because there are so many variables that affect the cost. If...
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November 19, 2021
The Progression Leading to Industry 4.0
Innovations have brought about some significant milestones to industries over the years. In 1765 the first industrial revolution began when the use of coal and...
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October 26, 2021
How ERP Helps Businesses Accelerate Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is the integration of innovative digital technologies into all areas of a business to improve the customer experience and core operations. It’s about...
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October 21, 2021
What Is Digital Transformation and Can It Benefit Manufacturers?
The manufacturing industry is constantly changing and is often at the forefront of utilizing new technologies. For example, many manufacturers are now using Industry 5.0...
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October 1, 2021
Cloud ERP vs. On-Premise ERP
Companies are not only acknowledging the advantages of effective ERP systems, they’re also increasingly adopting these solutions such that the market will be worth $60.23...
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September 10, 2021
Understanding ERP Modules and Their Business Benefits
Gone are those days when growing companies used to manage their data on spreadsheets. Modern businesses rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to help...
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June 4, 2021
The Essential 5 Steps to Selecting the Right ERP System for Manufacturers
It’s more important than ever for manufacturers to find ways to effectively manage their operations in the face of Covid-19, supply chain disruptions, inflation concerns,...
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May 3, 2021
ERP Software Selection: 6 Things to Consider for Supply Chain Management
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions are now a dime a dozen. It’s for this reason that careful attention is needed when selecting the right ERP...
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May 14, 2020
How AI and ML Will Enhance ERP and Its Impact
Scenarios in which the entire production cycle is managed with just a few clicks and taps and are not limited to science fiction movies anymore....
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January 29, 2020
8 Ways That Cloud ERP Helps Manufacturers Create Value with Exception Management
Cloud ERP creates value by saving time and resources with exception management. Management principles often focus on optimizing a system. Exception management is focused on...
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January 8, 2020
Delivering a Best-in-Class Customer Experience with Cloud ERP
This blog is part of a three-part series on how cloud ERP enables manufacturers to achieve operational excellence. In the series, we also cover how...
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January 8, 2020
How Accounting Visibility from Cloud ERP Improves Cash Flow
This blog is part of a three-part series on how cloud ERP enables manufacturers to achieve operational excellence. In the series, we also cover how...
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December 23, 2019
4 Steps to Value Creation with Intelligent Cloud ERP for Manufacturers
The OptiPro Manufacturing team is constantly reading and sharing industry articles so we can point out those of particular value to you. This piece, "The...
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November 14, 2019
How Shop Floor Execution Software Supports a Customer-first Focus
Many small and mid-size manufacturing businesses think of shop floor operations as an internal-facing process. As a result, the tendency is to view their shop floor...
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October 21, 2019
The Jump from QuickBooks to ERP Accounting: What Management Needs to Know – Part 4 ERP Analytics/Reporting and Finance Control
By: Allan Lessing, Director of Customer Success Part 4: ERP Analytics/Reporting and Finance Control As I finish up this series of blogs, I want to...
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October 21, 2019
The Jump from QuickBooks to ERP Accounting: What Management Needs to Know – Part 3 Competitive Advantages of a Single ERP Platform
By: Allan Lessing, Director of Customer Success Part 3: Competitive Advantages of a Single ERP Platform Management at small and midsize manufacturing companies are cautious...
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October 21, 2019
The Jump from QuickBooks to ERP Accounting: What Management Needs to Know – Part 2 ERP Benefits and Value of the Cloud
By: Allan Lessing, Director of Customer Success Part 2: ERP Benefits and Value of the Cloud We are constantly monitoring what managers want to know...
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October 17, 2019
The Jump from QuickBooks to ERP Accounting: What Management Needs to Know – Part 1 Growth and Business Needs
By: Allan Lessing, Director of Customer Success Part 1: Growth and Business Needs Throughout my career, I’ve seen it countless times. Managers of growing small...
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September 13, 2019
SAP Ranked No. 1 ERP Solution – What It Means for Us and Our Customers
I’m excited and proud to announce that SAP, with whom we have a strategic partnership, has been ranked No. 1 ERP software by revenue for...
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August 27, 2019
5 Ways ERP and MES Integration Makes Manufacturers Agile
In our last blog post, we explored the differences between Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and how together they help provide...
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July 8, 2019
Machine Learning Use Cases in Manufacturing
To understand how machine learning will impact manufacturing, it’s first useful to understand what the term means. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence...
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July 3, 2019
Top Reasons to Use an ERP System for Accounting
I know you’re already accustomed to using your favorite accounting software that stores your company’s financial data. But the problem most manufacturers face is that...
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June 18, 2019
ROI of an ERP System: What Returns to Expect From a Manufacturing ERP Investment
The decision to implement or upgrade an ERP solution can help take your business to the next level. A modern ERP solution reduces operating costs,...
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June 4, 2019
Forecasting made easy for manufacturers with intelligent ERP software
Predicting future demand contributes to making well-informed organizational decisions. Forecasting helps businesses plan for future endeavors by evaluating historical data and analyzing trend patterns. It...
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May 22, 2019
How Manufacturing ERP Scales-up Productivity and Reduces Costs?
In today’s high-tech world, all manufacturing businesses strive to stay ahead of the competition and handle growth driven by customer demands. To gain customer loyalty,...
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May 20, 2019
ABC Analysis of Inventory: Optimize Business Bottom Line
The most common concern supply chain management experts struggle with is accurately identifying the causes of inventory inconsistencies. If a discrepancy is identified when users...
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May 15, 2019
Maximize Operational Efficiency with Smart Manufacturing
Manufacturing businesses demand versatility, adaptability, and resourcefulness. In this tech-savvy world, every small and large-scale organization needs to gain greater visibility of data and operations...
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May 1, 2019
What is Material Requirements Planning and Manufacturing Resource Planning Software?
Manufacturing companies convert raw materials into a form that is of more value and use for the consumer. Developed in the 60s and 70s, material...
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April 17, 2019
OptiPro Manufacturing: The ‘Rising Star’ Manufacturing Business Solution
OptiPro Manufacturing, a modern and end-to-end ERP solution for manufacturing and distribution has been awarded the Great User Experience and Rising Star awards by FinancesOnline, an independent software review...
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April 10, 2019
MRP vs MRP II vs ERP: An Introduction for Manufacturers
Manufacturing is complex. There are many tasks involved in the manufacturing process, from maintaining accurate stock levels to controlling production functions. Manufacturers used to manually...
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March 27, 2019
What Is MRP? Why Is It Important for Manufacturing Businesses?
Recently OptiPro Manufacturing attended an international exhibition about manufacturers. Our marketing executive met Harper Sheldon, operations head of a leading manufacturing company and one of...
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March 21, 2019
Is Intelligent ERP Right for Me?
Digital Transformation Is Sneaking up on You! I received a bit of a shock on the September 27th , 2018. I discovered it was Google’s...
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March 20, 2019
What Does Intelligent ERP Do?
The possibilities are endless with digital transformation, limited only by an ability to think about your business – what you do, how you do it,...
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March 4, 2019
What is Intelligent ERP?
You may have heard about Intelligent ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), but what is it? In two words, CONNECTIVITY and ACCESS. IDC defines Intelligent ERP as...
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February 26, 2019
5 Key Benefits of ERP for Accounting and Financial Management
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software has become an inevitable part of modern businesses. It provides business functionalities that are designed to address inventory requirements, the quality...
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February 26, 2019
5 Main Differences Between ERP and Accounting Software
Accounting software typically covers the management of areas such as financial reporting, accounts payables and receivables, banking, and recording of basic revenues/sales ERP solutions include multiple modules with accounting being one of...
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January 17, 2019
How OptiPro Manufacturing Integrates SAP Business One With Magento
Transformation depends on the way businesses satiate the needs of their valuable customers. Understanding how to do it is a big task. Right now, e-commerce...
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January 15, 2019
How Does a Manufacturer Automate Logistics Operation in Their Warehouse?
Envision an automated forklift running down an aisle, stacking inventory into huge racks that tower 60 feet above the floor of your warehouse. Or an...
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January 8, 2019
Why Small Manufacturing Businesses Need More Than Accounting Software
Here’s what you need to know 6 min read… If you are a SMB that plans to grow, you need more than just accounting software...
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December 28, 2018
Tips and Warnings for Implementing an ERP System
Back when I was virtually full-time working with clients on ERP implementations, I had a trick that seemed to work to overcome many of the...
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December 26, 2018
What Are the Benefits of Upgrading ERP Software?
In today’s tech-driven world, manufacturers embrace rapidly evolving technology to remain competitive and protect critical business data. If you’re working on an outdated version of...
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December 24, 2018
What Are Some Cutting-edge Developments in Connected Manufacturing?
Digital transformations are driving the manufacturing industry on a moment-to-moment basis. Just the way the industrial revolution impacted manufacturing, the digital transformations worldwide are responsible...
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December 13, 2018
7 Key Manufacturing Trends to Watch in 2022
Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing has been the force that has pushed industrial and societal transformations forward. Today, we’re amid another industrial...
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December 12, 2018
Demystifying cloud computing for small and midsize businesses
Cloud computing is a great euphemism for centralization of computer services under one server.” – Evgeny Morozov, author and technology skeptic Do you use cloud...
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December 7, 2018
The price and intelligence of business applications in the cloud
Cloud computing is a prevalent buzzword among businesses and technology professionals. The real question for many IT technologists is whether the cost of transitioning to...
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November 30, 2018
Agile Manufacturing vs Lean Manufacturing
Lean and Agile are two of the most commonly discussed and debated principles of manufacturing, particularly when there’s a transformation underway. While there are many...
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November 27, 2018
What Is the Difference Between Manufacturing and Fabrication?
Manufacturing vs. Fabrication – Overview Just walk into a manufacturing facility on a Monday morning, and you will quickly see where the pressure comes from....
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November 21, 2018
How Much Does a Typical Implementation Cost?
Achieving extraordinary business transformation through the implementation of an ERP solution isn’t a matter of luck. It requires careful planning and a commitment to the...
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November 16, 2018
Basic Modules of an ERP Solution in the Manufacturing Sector
ERP software provides some of the most up-to-date modules for manufacturing businesses today. ERP modules for manufacturing industry help you meet the business requirements by...
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October 29, 2018
What is a Manufacturing Execution System (MES)?
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is an information system that connects, monitors and controls complex manufacturing systems and data flows on the shop floor. The...
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October 26, 2018
How Cloud ERP is Transforming Manufacturing Businesses
What is Cloud ERP? Cloud computing has fundamentally changed the way organizations work. As long as your data resides in the cloud it is always...
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October 23, 2018
How Can ERP – Help Apparel Manufacturers Save Time and Money?
The textile and apparel industry is one of the most dynamic and crucial industries across the world that was worth approximately $3,000 trillion in the...
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October 18, 2018
ERP Implementation: Steps and Best Practices
Once you have selected ERP software for your organization, the next step is ERP implementation. Implementing ERP software is quite a complex and time-consuming process;...
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October 15, 2018
Top 3 Benefits of Supply Chain Management
When looking for an ERP solution it’s important to find one that will take care of your entire supply chain management needs. The ultimate goal...
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October 12, 2018
Why Are Manufacturers Switching to Cloud ERP?
Is Cloud ERP a bunch of hype? Can it help to evolve and strengthen core business functionalities? Cloud-based ERP is hosted on a cloud computing...
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October 10, 2018
Emerging Global Trends in Advanced Manufacturing
Technology is the enabler of industrial advancements! According to IDC predictions, by the year 2020, 60% of manufacturers will depend on digital platforms which may help...
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October 8, 2018
Role of Cloud ERP in Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is the driving force of modern businesses. It encourages paperless transactions, informed decisions, and real-time information. Technologies such as Blockchain, Internet of Things,...
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October 4, 2018
7 Key Integrations for Manufacturing ERP Software
ERP, Enterprise Resource Planning software encompasses a set of tools that collects, organizes, and updates the business data in one system. Manufacturing ERP software offers...
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September 27, 2018
5 Must-have Features of a Warehouse Management System
A warehouse is the cornerstone of every manufacturing organization. It is simply a central location where goods are procured, stored, and distributed for further processing....
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September 25, 2018
5 Common ERP Implementation Mistakes Every SME Should Avoid
Tougher competition in the market encourages businesses to better optimize resources, ensure customer satisfaction, and improve productivity. An Enterprise Resource Planning solution helps manufacturing organizations...
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August 3, 2018
How Long Does It Take to Implement a Fully Functional ERP System?
Gone are the days when ERP was merely a business management software in which only big budgeted companies invested. Now, it has become an indispensable...
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July 30, 2018
5 Benefits of Automation in the Manufacturing Industry
There has been a big shift from the way manufacturers worked in the past thanks to modern technologies that streamline operations. Long ago, factories hired...
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July 24, 2018
Benchmark the Best-In-Class Solution for your IM&C Business
Industrial Machinery and Components is a huge industry that depends on complex products and manufacturing processes to produce goods. Considering the growing global competition, every...
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July 19, 2018
What is Agile Manufacturing and How Can it Help you Succeed?
Digitization allows companies to accelerate the pace of innovation and turn speed and agility into a competitive advantage. This is the age where factories are...
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June 15, 2018
7 Stock Control Methodologies Manufacturers Should Practice
“The most dangerous kind of waste is the waste we do not recognize.” – Shigeo Shingo, leading expert (Toyota Production System) In this dynamic manufacturing...
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June 11, 2018
How Can IoT Technology and ERP can Benefit Manufacturers?
Gone are the days when sales personnel would maintain piles of paper sheets in their office or spreadsheets on their computers to process information. Today...
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May 25, 2018
What is GDPR and What is its Significance in the Manufacturing Industry?
GDPR has become a buzzword in recent times. Everyone is talking about this profound EU regulation that’s going to create a huge impact in the...
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May 10, 2018
Five Benefits of ERP in Automobile Components Manufacturing
The automotive industry is one of the largest and most versatile sectors around the globe and is evolving continually with imminent resurgence. With a record-setting...
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May 9, 2018
How close a match to my industry requirements can an ERP system get?
I was once showing a prospect an ERP solution, and the business owner asked “What does this ERP system specialize in?” “Wholesale / Distribution”, I...
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May 3, 2018
Time to Take a Leap – Grow from MRP to ERP!
MRP, also known as Material Requirement Planning, is a business planning tool used by organizations to manage production planning, inventory control, and scheduling. It ensures...
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May 2, 2018
How customizable does my ERP need to be?
One of the first questions asked by a prospective customer when evaluating a possible ERP solution is: Can I customize this software? Whether the need...
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April 26, 2018
How Can Material Requirement Planning Create a Difference in Manufacturing?
In this modern world, every manufacturer is looking for ways to reduce costs and optimize business operations to the fullest. When we talk about the...
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April 26, 2018
How free is “Free”?
Open Source software is free, right? We can save a fortune using it, can’t we? Well, that depends….. The attraction of Open Source software is...
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April 25, 2018
Different Types of ERP Systems: What’s the Most Suitable for Manufacturing?
For every business owner, selecting an ERP solution is quite an expensive and labor-intensive affair. ERP is software that seamlessly integrates organizational data into a single...
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April 19, 2018
Have you considered the advantages of cloud ERP?
To compete and grow, your company needs an ERP solution that is flexible and agile. Over the past 20 years Cloud ERP solutions have repeatedly...
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April 12, 2018
Is ‘Best of Breed’ really ‘Best’ for you?
A ‘Best of Breed’ solution is designed to do extremely well for one department or area of your business. Each such solution is usually developed...
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April 10, 2018
Want to Keep Pace with Technology? An Annual Maintenance Contract is the Key
Without any doubt, Enterprise Resource Planning software is the backbone of the manufacturing and distribution industry. It brings every information, operation, and task on the same...
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April 6, 2018
Accelerate Innovation in the High-tech Manufacturing Industry with ERP
It’s no secret that technology is driving every facet of the world. This is the era where demanding markets require cutting-edge technology that can support...
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April 4, 2018
Unpacking the Benefits of ERP in the Wholesale and Distribution Industry
Wholesalers and distributors serve a crucial role in the product distribution channel. As technology has evolved, distribution businesses have witnessed ample opportunities and complexities. Nowadays,...
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March 26, 2018
How to Manage Business Complexities in the Medical Device Manufacturing Industry
The medical device manufacturing industry is one of the most crucial and life-saving industries in the world is largely affected by economic downturns, population demographics,...
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March 22, 2018
Why Automotive Manufacturers Are Using ERP and Why You Should Too
The auto industry is on the verge of a revolution. It plays a massive role in the global economy. As a dynamic and customer-driven industry,...
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February 7, 2018
Addressing the Business Needs of the Telecommunication Industry with ERP
Technology is driving the business world and businesses of all sizes are striving hard to embrace it. The telecommunications industry contributes significantly to the world...
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January 25, 2018
4 Ways to Strategize Manufacturing Quality and Reduce Recalls
In this age of Industry 4.0, manufacturers seek an automated Quality Management System (QMS) that eliminates the need for hunting for a document in multiple...
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January 15, 2018
How Can a Warehouse Management System Drive Your Business Productivity?
Is your business still using spreadsheets to manage warehouse transactions and records? Or do you rely on manual processes for maintaining inventory and its data?...
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January 15, 2018
How to Solve Biggest Problems in a Small Manufacturing Business
Every manufacturing business be it small, medium, or large faces some common operational concerns. But there remain some challenges that are unique to businesses of...
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January 12, 2018
5 Factors to Consider Before You Decide on a Discrete Manufacturing ERP Solution
The decision to implement an ERP solution is often difficult. But choosing an ERP vendor is even more challenging. As a result, you search online,...
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August 16, 2017
6 Ways to Reduce Inventory Levels
For any small to medium-sized manufacturer, the ability to effectively manage inventory can determine a company’s success or failure. Lean manufacturing principles identify inventory as one of...
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August 9, 2017
Improving Quality Assurance in Lean Manufacturing
Quality management is embedded within core lean manufacturing principles, however improving quality assurance even further for small and large manufacturers alike, can be achieved by...
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August 1, 2017
10 Steps to Selecting an ERP System for Your Manufacturing Business
An ERP system is arguably the core infrastructure of any manufacturing operation. It connects every function within the organization providing all of the required data...
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July 25, 2017
6 Warning Signs Your Manufacturing Business Needs An ERP System
Your salespeople are doing a great job drumming up business. But you are having a problem keeping up with demand and you can’t figure out...
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July 19, 2017
Lean Manufacturing Best Practices – How to Get Started
When you start researching lean manufacturing for the first time you’ll be confronted with myriad principles, concepts, processes, and tools, each of which has to...
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July 11, 2017
Will Lean Principles Help My Small Manufacturing Business?
The short answer is a resounding yes! You can be a 2-person job shop or a 5000-person aircraft manufacturer and lean manufacturing principles apply equally....
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July 5, 2017
4 Lean Inventory Management Best Practices
The primary goal of lean manufacturing is to eliminate waste, (anything that doesn’t add value from a customer perspective), and inventory falls within that scope....
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June 26, 2017
Which Inventory Control Method Is Right For You?
Efficient inventory control is critical to the profitability of any manufacturing enterprise. However, with so many methods of inventory control available, it can be overwhelming...
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June 19, 2017
The Unparalleled Benefits of ERP Integrated with Business Intelligence
What is ERP? Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a comprehensive and integrated software solution designed to streamline and optimize various organizational business processes. ERP systems...
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June 12, 2017
Are You Smart Manufacturing?
A few months ago, we published a blog entitled “The Future of Manufacturing – Are You Prepared?” in which we stated that “… today’s manufacturing...
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June 6, 2017
How Mobility Increases ROI
In a previous article, we shared some insights into the rapid ascendance of mobile devices as key components in today’s ERP solutions and some of...
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May 15, 2017
Quality Assurance & Quality Control Why You Need Both
In last week’s blog, we looked at quality assurance (QA) best practices for manufacturers. In that post, we touched on the fact that many use...
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May 8, 2017
5 Quality Assurance Best Practices for Manufacturers
In a manufacturing organization, quality management is an important process that ensures error-free and timely delivery of products to customers. When your products are not...
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May 3, 2017
Inventory Management 101 – The Master Production Schedule (MPS) Explained
Master production scheduling is the process that helps manufacturers plan which products and related quantities to produce during certain periods. It is proactive, driving the...
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April 10, 2017
How Automated BOMs Can Save You Time, Money and Eliminate Mistakes
A bill of materials (BOM) is a list of the raw materials, assemblies, sub-assemblies, components, sub-components, and associated quantities plus labor and equipment needed to...
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April 3, 2017
What Is Cycle Counting & Why Is It So Important?
Cycle counting is an efficient and cost-effective way to ensure the ongoing accuracy of your inventory counts and valuation. Usually, staff will perform cycle counts...
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March 28, 2017
5 Critical Inventory Management Best Practices
Any small- to mid-size manufacturing business knows that effective inventory management is critical to success. With inventory tying up working capital stock turn is paramount....
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March 21, 2017
7 Reasons Why Cloud ROI Might Be Too Good to Resist
The cloud has permeated nearly every sector of business and manufacturing is certainly no exception. The reasons are many for this transformation but one in...
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March 14, 2017
Reduce Costs & Delivery Times With Procurement Automation
Procurement automation can reduce the cost of purchase order requisition, submittal and approval by up to 75% and invoice processing costs by up to 90%....
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March 6, 2017
EDI is Critical to Successful Supply Chain Management
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) enables the electronic transfer of business information between trading partners (B2B) through a standardized format. EDI technology has been around for...
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February 27, 2017
7 Ways to Win New Customers
If you’re part of an emerging small business, keeping track of your customers’ histories, sales opportunities, marketing campaigns and other key data points is likely...
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February 21, 2017
The Future of Manufacturing – Are You Prepared?
When it comes to the world of discrete manufacturing, old paradigms are slow to change. The long-held stereotypes still persist of outdated, decrepit workplaces that...
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February 13, 2017
The Top 5 Reasons Your Business Needs a Mobile Solution
There are countless reasons why manufacturing businesses are increasingly relying on mobile apps to maintain 24/7 access to real-time data that helps them perform better....
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February 6, 2017
6 Hidden Costs of Stockouts
Generally speaking, when a manufacturing/distribution enterprise experiences a stockout, the ramifications can be troubling on many fronts. A host of factors may be responsible for...
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January 31, 2017
5 Key Advantages of SAP Business One vs. QuickBooks
OK, let’s say you’re either ready to upgrade from QuickBooks to a more robust ERP solution or you’re at least open to considering options. If...
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January 23, 2017
6 Telltale Signs Your Business Has Outgrown QuickBooks
QuickBooks is omnipresent. Over five million users and counting. It’s the industry-standard choice for start-up businesses to meet their basic accounting requirements at a very...
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July 31, 2016
Why Manufacturers Require 5 Degrees Of Connectedness
Analysts estimate that the Internet of Things (IoT) has already surpassed earlier projections, with over 15–18 billion connected devices globally as of 2025, and expectations...
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July 31, 2016
5 Reasons Manufacturing SMEs Need Cloud More Than Ever
The business environment for sales teams in manufacturing and engineering industries is increasingly demanding: IT infrastructures have become complex, at the same time that everyday sales...
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July 30, 2016
Simplify Complex Manufacturing For Greater Efficiencies
The manufacturing of large things – like aircraft, ships, or other complex, integrated assemblies – can take months or years to build. These products are...
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June 23, 2016
5 Digital Trends in Wholesale Distribution
We are witnessing an unmatched era of market change and true business innovation. Industry lines are becoming blurred, offering new opportunities–but also creating new competition....
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June 23, 2016
Mobile Is A Critical Driver For Business Success
Mobile remains central to business innovation and is now critical to operational success. Recent insights from SOTI highlight that organizations continue to invest heavily in...
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June 23, 2016
4 Vital Steps for Survival in the Digital Economy
Are you prepared for digital upheaval in your sector? Or could you fall victim to Digital Darwinism, when technology advances faster than your organization can...
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May 5, 2016
Next Generation ERP for Manufacturing and Distribution
OptiProERP is seamlessly integrated with SAP Business One, extending its core functionality to deliver a more complete and robust ERP solution for manufacturing and distribution...