Posted by Randy Flamm on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 @ 03:39 PM
There's no argument that fully integrated manufacturing ERP system is the way to go. It is very interesting that so many of the top ERP systems advertise that functionality such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Warehouse Management (WMS), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Preventative Maintenance (PM), Quality Statistical Process Control (SPC), to name a few, are "integrated" into their ERP system. When you get under the covers you might find that "integration" means another company's products running on a different database with periodic batch transfer or no data sharing at all. They then fall back on the "Best of Breed" argument that allows them to point to a different solution that can "integrate" to theirs with hardly any work; after all they support Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) which allows any system to be integrated to our system. Not so fast.
The reality is that there are big costs involved to integrate and support a multi-vendor manufacturing system. SOA technology does nothing to address the costs to maintain the integration through the many updates to the best of breed and ERP software that will take place over time. Many times these software vendors will fall back on the promise of SOA as a way to disguise the fact that their product offering is limited and will not handle all of the requirements of the manufacturer.
You should be looking for an extended ERP system on a single database with user interfaces that have a common look and feel. The data synergy that can be achieved with an ERP system that has all of the above functionality built into the foundation of the product is the largest advantage over the best of breed model.
Posted by Liz Alflen on Wed, Feb 17, 2010 @ 03:40 PM
As we all know, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...
Unless you are a manufacturing ERP professional attending the IQMS User Group Meeting, in which case you will want to take back to your manufacturing facility all you've learned about new EnterpriseIQ ERP and Manufacturing System functionality (plus all the neat promotional items you'll pick up - way better than just a hangover!).
IQMS is planning the most fun and informative event you will attend this year. In order to build the most valuable experience for you, we need to harness the collective wisdom and power of the user community. Tell us what you want for content and format so we can structure the event to best benefit you and your company's attendees.
The IQMS User Group 2010 will be open to all manufacturing industry professionals, providing an open forum for education and discussion. We want to share ways to make all our lives easier and make more money, and make connections with other industry colleagues with the same objectives. Past attendees have enjoyed open sessions about new development, breakout sessions on popular modules, customer applications and special presentations by vendors and partners. This is also the best opportunity to meet with the IQMS development team, management staff and industry peers to discuss features, functionality and best practices.
What would you most be interested in learning about and discussing? What format do you like?
- More focus on manufacturing?
- Brighter spotlight on technology?
- More general ("all play") sessions?
- More specialized breakout sessions?
- Did you like the overview sessions which debuted at our last event?
- More about new development?
- Customer applications?
- Training and education?
- Roundtable discussions?
- Networking luncheons?
Since we introduced the IQMS Online Community Server last spring, we are using that forum for IQMS customers and staff to collaborate on software modules and change requests. This means we can make the most of our time together at this fall's event on new content.
More information is available on the User Group page our website (http://www.iqms.com/); make your plans now as space will be limited. Please complete the on-line survey and post your additional comments here.
We're looking forward to seeing you there! Thanks!
P.S. We're also interested in building a better breakfast buffet for our attendees. Please also let us know what you would like in the morning to ease the transition from those late evenings...