 |
| In This Issue |
|
May 29, 2009
Click to view past newsletters
This month we are focusing on two types of software programs that are similar in nature: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MRP (Material Requirements Planning).
ERP is designed to coordinate a company's resources, information and activities to automate such business processes as order fulfillment and billing.
MRP leans more toward production planning and inventory control in order to efficiently and accurately manage manufacturing processes.
In this issue, we'll look at three case histories involving these programs and how they solved specific problems. We can also help you locate the right ERP/MRP program to solve your specific manufacturing or business function needs.
Remember, our specialty is helping you find the right business solutions for your company that integrates with your QuickBooks accounting program.
|
|
|
| Managerial Mentor |
|
Which E-Commerce Software is Right for You ?
Begin by listing what functions you want the software to perform. These may include tracking such activities as inventory control, purchasing, sales orders, work orders...to name just a few.
To further help you in the selection process, below are some of the key activities, functions and benefits you might want to ask about before finalizing a purchase:
· Plans production automatically & accurately
· Efficiently manages investment in expensive inventory
· Helps produce timely and competitively priced products
· Responds on the fly to production planning change requirements
· Automatically suggests and generates Factory & Purchase orders
· Provides accurate planning of inventory purchasing
· Forecasts accurately, using historical & seasonal data
· Manages the manufacturing process with visual planning boards
This is not a complete list, of course. But it will help you get started on developing your own specifications.
Of course, there is one other important benefit you want to check on. Does the software easily integrate with QuickBooks so numbers can be passed back and forth and required reports generated.
|
| Techno-Visor |
As a technical person, you may be called on to analyze and install an ERP/MRP program. If so, you should be aware of the standard modules most programs contain and be prepared to integrate them with QuickBooks. These include:
· Inventory
· Purchasing
· Receiving
· Sales Order
· Work Order
· Invoicing
· Bills of Materials
· Stock Room
· Address Book
Quality programs also generally provide optional modules that management may want to include. These could be:
· Alternate Currency
· Audit Trail
· Corporate Reporting
· E-mailer
· Engineering Change Notice
· Employee Time Tracking
· QB Export Routing
· Sales Analysis
· Serial Lot Tracking
· Task Manager
By having a complete list of both standard and optional modules provided by the software, you'll be able to work closely with management to customize the software to fit your company's needs and operation
|
|
| Case Study # 1 - MISys SBM Pulls Q'SO Out of an Accounting System Money Pit |
|
.jpg) Problem
Q'SO, located in Fort Worth, Texas, provides a complete line of standard gaskets, sealants and adhesives based on butyl, asphalt and proprietary block copolymer technologies.
When new ownership took over the business in 2006, they inherited an antiquated accounting system that required on-site consultants and programmers to modify even basic accounting requirements. Despite spending tens of thousands of dollars, the system still failed to meet the company's needs.
Solution
After evaluating several business accounting packages, QuickBooks was selected. However, it was quickly realized that an add-on software program would be needed to support all aspects of MRP such as purchasing, production scheduling, inventory control and costing. Many programs were evaluated but one stood out from the others. It was MISys SBM.
Benefits
MISys SBM, provided a flexible and user-friendly program that allows the company to retrieve sales orders from QuickBooks, check stock, create a production schedule, resolve shortages based on time phased production, produce purchase orders, work orders and transfer complete product information to QuickBooks finished goods inventory.
|
| Case Study # 2 - pc/MRP Simplifies Billing Material for MultiProbe |
|
.jpg) MultiProbe, Inc., located in Santa Barbara, CA, is the world's leading supplier of nanoprobing tools to the semiconductor industry. Nanoprobing is the method of measuring the world's most advanced electronic devices, which are invisible to all but the most advanced microscopes.
Problem
QuickBooks was the company's main accounting tool but the program didn't track the billing of materials. So MultiProbe went looking for a QB software add-on to handle this task and provide the reports that were needed.
Solution
After considerable research, pc/MRP was chosen because it was easy to set up and easy to use. Also the integration with QB worked extremely well.
One other factor was budget. Although pc/MRP is a quality program, the cost is low.
Benefits
Recently, MultiProbe was ISO Certified and pc/MRP was a major factor in the certification. Also, the company has been extremely pleased with the variety of reports they are now receiving. Another major plus is having the numbers they need in their end accounting system sent directly to QuickBooks.
|
| Case Study # 3 - VISUAL Jobshop Satisfies MRP Needs for SR Instruments |
|
.jpg) SR Instruments, Tonawanda, New York, is a 30 year old business that manufactures gages and electrical components for the marine industry. It also offers a wide range of scale equipment used in many different fields from weighing marine life to hospitals.
Problem
In 2006, the company began a search for a QuickBooks software add-on that would more accurately satisfy their manufacturing needs.
The software needed to handle estimating, planning, shop floor scheduling, inventory control and, of course, integrate with QuickBooks.
Solution
After a considerable search, the company settled on VISUAL Jobshop from Global Solutions. The company was very pleased with their selection when they were able to implement the system and go live three weeks ahead of schedule. They were also able to implement the Labor Data Collection portion of VISUAL Jobshop well ahead of the expected time it would take.
Benefits
SR Instruments found that the VISUAL Jobshop program is a cost-effective way to manage their operations from engineering through shipping. There was no need for extensive training or setting up an expensive IT department.
|
| Leaving You With A Little Humor |
|
|
|
FREE TIPS |
For our latest tips on setting up your chart of accounts so that you have the processing and reporting capabilities you need for these tough economic times, please refer to http://www.seeclearlyaccounting.com/22/index.html
While you are looking at the tips about your chart of accounts, if you are responsible for the accounting for an estate, you may want to read 22 of the Best Tips for Trust and Estate Accounting. This sets out how we do this work using QuickBooks, with a little help from Excel.
|
|