Episode 9 (12:23)

The decision to upgrade or implement a new ERP system is likely one of the most complex and resource-intensive initiatives a company will face. A typical question we hear from teams is how to identify ERP vendors.

Most project teams from mid-market manufacturing and distribution organizatons are challenged by an ERP selection project.  This is because an ERP project cuts across each area of the business, impacting functional areas from finance, accounting and supply chain, to shop floor, production, inventory, quality management, shipping and more.

Manufacturing project teams looking to head into an ERP project are often tempted to jump right to dialogues with ERP vendors for demos of their systems, assessing features and functionality.

In this podcast episode, host Jeff Carr takes a more thoughtful approach, walking a project team through the key considerations to note before any engagement with a software vendor

Manufacturing Specialization

Jeff begins the podcast by making  the case that a key differentiation of ERP solutions is those that serve either the Process or Discrete manufacturing industry.

When considering how to identify ERP vendors during a selection process, assess the landscape of vendors specific to the type of manufacturing process.

Manufacturing Methods

Jeff then addresses the variations of ERP solutions that best serve the variety of manufacturing methods in these general categories:

• Make to Stock -  For make to stock manufacturers, it's critical to locate ERP systems that offer robust inventory management, demand planning and other functionality.
• Make to Order - Make to order manufacturers look for systems that help them with building prototypes, generating quoting and estimating,  streamlining reordering of products and other key areas.  For instance, in automotive manufacturing, companies must be effective at processing reruns of production orders, yet as model years change, suppliers must tailor production runs to the customer. Which ERP vendors offer the systems to best facilitate these areas?
• Engineer to Order -  Here again, for those teams considering how to identify ERP vendors, ETO companies must look for solutions that help with custom builds, project management and other functionality.

Vertical Industries

The final section of the podcast outlines the special requirements companies have in differing vertical industries such as those noted below.

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Apparel
• Consumer Goods
• Food and Beverage
• Med Devices
• Pharma
• Chemical
• Industrial Parts
• Plastics
• Electronics
• Distribution

How to Identify ERP Vendors - A Fast Listen

The Ultra independent ERP consultant team places a high priority on providing education. Take a few moments to hear Jeff Carr share his expertise as to how to answer the essential question "How to Identify ERP Vendors."