This guest post by Nicole Brennan, Marketing Associate at Vision33, puts the focus on the quote to shipment process flow with SAP Business One.
For certain industries, such as chemical, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage, batch and process manufacturing is essential for controlling the quality and efficient production of products.
While there are several benefits to this method of manufacturing, it requires resources and systems to be optimized in an effort to deliver quality products. Batch processing means being cost effective, but businesses need to streamline their production lines in order to do it effectively.
From the very beginning of the process when a quote is created for a customer, to the end when the product is shipped, all steps need to be unified and connected. For these businesses that operate on tight margins and deadlines, departments need to be integrated and flexible.
With SAP Business One, the Quote to Shipment process provides batch and process manufacturers a solution that integrates their business with everything from procurement of materials, to processing, to customer management. SAP Business One is designed for growing small to mid-size companies, and allows businesses within these industries to have complete visibility into every step and process.
A quote to shipment process with SAP Business One ultimately allows batch and process manufacturers to run more lean operations, automate production, and focus on delivery while offering accurate picking systems and effective quality control management.
Process Description
Here is a breakdown of the quote to shipment steps in SAP Business One:
1. Customer calls and a quote is provided
The prospect is located, and a new opportunity is created if they are not currently a customer. A quote for an existing product is created with the cost and price, and an email notification is sent to the prospect.
2. Customer approves sample and creates order
Once the prospect approves the quote, it is converted to an order and the prospect is converted to a customer. Pricing options are reviewed and an email notification is sent to the customer with ETA.
3. Scheduling and release
The finite schedule of jobs and equipment is reviewed. A batch ticket is printed, and production also prints the job ticket to fill the pails.
4. Make batch
The production worker measures and moves the materials from warehouse to staging, and also records a sample taken for testing.
5. Test batch
The production worker tests the results, and then continues to edit the job and batch ticket with adjustments. Once this is complete, they save and retain in the lab location.
6. Adjust batch
The batch adjustment is recorded, and the production worker reports the time it took to make the batch. The sample taken for testing is also recorded.
7. Re-test batch
The batch is then re-tested and the test results are recorded. Production approves the batch and it is saved in the lab location.
8. Filling
Production closes the batch and the system will then backflush all the raw and packing materials. The production worker fills the pails from the batch, reports the quantity, and moves the finished goods to the warehouse.
9. Shipping and Accounting
The order picker prints the shipping and paperwork, such as FDA or hazardous materials paperwork. The product is then shipped to the customer, and accounting reviews the profit and loss.
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