Software Packages Options for PPQ Parts Manufacturing Company - Research Paper Example

Software Packages Options for PPQ Parts Manufacturing Company A great way to achieve global competitiveness is to meet the demands of an ever growing technology. Hence, for PPQ Parts Manufacturing Company, here are six software packages suggestions to assist its ERP, MRP, and CRP needs. 1. Microsoft Dynamics NAV Microsoft Dynamics NAV is business management software that offers a wide range of functionalities. It covers the company’s sales and marketing; financial, human resource, supply chain, project, and service management; and manufacturing. It coordinates various parts of the organization which allows owners or managers to have a more effective control of the business. This software assists in decision-making that helps increase margins and enhance cash flows. Microsoft Dynamics NAV improves your confidence and visibility on all levels of your business by providing “an intuitive RoleTailored user interface, built-in workflows, and integrated systems” (Microsoft, 2012). It also offers self-help tools to its end-users and real-time information that minimizes the need to ask assistance from IT personnel. It also provides third-party solutions. This system requires only low investment and is highly compatible to your existing technology, thus, avoiding the need and costs for upgrade. It is available in different countries and provides translation to selected languages. It provides service plan that allows users to upgrade to newer versions. Costs start at $2,610 per single user, but the final pricing is determined by the purchasing partner. Pros: Suitable for any organization size, simple and user-friendly, offers self-help tools and third-party solutions, minimizes upgrade costs, widely available and multilingual, compatible with existing technology Cons: Its SQL Server requires more maintenance than classic database. 2. DBA Manufacturing DBA Manufacturing is software for small businesses. It is good for 5-50+ users and combines the core functions of ERP and MRP. It resolves the complexities of ERP systems. It offers process workflow that is suitable to any company. It enhances operational performance, quality and efficiency, while minimizing inventory and work in progress status. This software provides a unique self-help sales model that allows users to freely navigate the software. It offers a lower price and incurring costs. There is also a downloadable free evaluation tool on their website, where the mentioned sales model was derived. It includes sample company data on a sample version of the software. DBA is self-implemented unlike other ERP systems which outsource consultants for implementation. It allows its end-users to start up the system on their own. Inquiries and need for technical assistance can be addressed through their online support feature. Purchasing can be done via phone or their web store which allows immediate activation by software download. DBA offers a 180-day money-back guarantee. This software costs $2995 for 5 users, plus $495 for an initial 6-month support. It can be expanded to suit the growing needs of the users. It also includes annual license fee which is 15% of the software price. Pros: Combines ERP and MRP functions, unique self-help sales model, lower initial and incurring costs, free evaluation tool, self-implemented, convenient purchasing, upgradeable Cons: Good for small businesses only, annual license fee is required 3. Dynamic 3i Enterprise Edition Dynamic 3i Enterprise Edition offers 36 modules that coordinates different aspects or your company and promotes centralized management of resources. It also offers customizable tools that suit the needs of its end-users. It provides assistance in the management of other branches and warehouses and services for different currencies and almost 12 languages. It is built on Oracle technology that guarantees “availability, scalability and security.” (System Dynamics Corporation, 2007-2011) This software is very comprehensive and flexible. Its modules, which include various topics in accounting, distribution, and manufacturing, cover up-to-date functions of ERP and MRP. It is ideal for large companies as well as small ones with over 10 users. Its thin-client technology feature can be linked to the internet or intranet through the Application Server powered by Oracle, thus, simplifying the start up of the software since it can be run through the web browser. This makes information and applications much more accessible to all its end users. This software is user-friendly. It is easy to navigate with its graphical user interface and pull-down menus. It also provides online real-time data processing. Its price ranges from $999 to $2,499. Pros: Customizable tools, supports different currencies and languages, good for any organization size, browser-based, accessible to all users, online real-time information, includes ERP, MRP, and CRP modules Cons: Takes time for download and setup 4. Mosaic M21 The Mosaic M21 Manufacturing Software is ideal for midsize companies. It combines important functions of ERP, MRP, and CRP. It combines manufacturing core functions like order and inventory management, accounting, and purchasing. Its modules cover a wide variety of topics concerning customer relation, inventory and order, shop control and costing, scheduling, accounting and payroll, and human resources. It offers comprehensive online tool in documentation, stand-alone training and simulation demo system, concise search field, conversion of quotes to sales orders, production order and schedule control, serial number tracking, labor transactions, bar coding, credit card processing, project accounting, and job accounting reports. (Mosaic Data Solutions, Inc., 2012) Pros: All-in-one, comprehensive online tools Cons: Ideal only for midsize companies 5. EFACS Enterprise EFACS Enterprise by RAD Software is comprehensive software that integrates business and manufacturing core functions, i.e. ERP, MRP, and CRP functions. It was developed for more than 25 years and operates from Microsoft SQL or Oracle. It provides a Variable Component Architecture (RAD, 2011) which enhances warehouse, inventory, finance, order processing and materials management. It is accessible to both end-users of a centralized company and worldwide through service centers hosted by remote servers. It provides easy access to real-time data, automated systems, and trends and patterns analysis. It helps measure productivity and efficiency in a company and decrease operating costs. This software is thin client and works with browsers, thus, minimizes costs for upgrades. It is designed exclusively for Manufacturing and Distribution. It does not require third party add-ons due to pre-integrated structure. It includes forums which promotes stronger interaction among manufacturing companies. Pros: All-in-one, long years of product development, accessible to all users, real-time data, browser-based, no need for third-party solutions, provides forums, customizable Cons: SQL Server might require more maintenance than classic database 6. NetSuite Manufacturing Edition NetSuite Manufacturing Edition provides complete solutions to the company’s manufacturing functions such as MRP, e-commerce, and management of customer relations, finance and costing, inventory and warehouse. It is built on open architecture which removes costs needed for inter-site IT support, license fee, and onsite servers. It allows manufacturers to perform the core functions of the business and to have more effective control of it. This software is ideal for growing and midsize organizations. It can be configured in three ways: light assembly, standard and advanced edition. (NetSuite, Inc., 1998 - 2012) Pros: Built on open architecture system, customizable, eliminates expensive upgrades Cons: Ideal only for midsize companies, does not cover CRP functions Conclusion and Recommendation Considering the key functions that need to be run regularly in PPQ Parts Manufacturing Company, I suggest that it would be best to utilize the Dynamic 3i Enterprise Edition software. This software has advantage over the other software primarily because it combines all three business functions – ERP, MRP, and CRP. It is also ideal for any size of companies. It is very user-friendly and provides easy access to all users since it can be run on web browsers. This software is comprehensive and offers the features similar to its competitors, with its Oracle-based technology, for a lower cost. It does not require high level of maintenance. It can also be customized to meet more needs as the company grows since it is designed for any company size. Reference List: DBA Software Inc. (2012). Retrieved January 8, 2012, from DBA Manufacturing Next-Generation: http://www.dbamanufacturing.com/videos/overview/whatisdbamanufacturing/ Demand Media, Inc. (1999-2012 ). eHow. Retrieved January 2012, 7, from http://www.ehow.com/list_6582934_endangered-animals-midwest.html Microsoft. (2012). Microsoft Dynamics ERP. Retrieved January 8, 2012, from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics/erp-explore-nav-capabilities.aspx Mosaic Data Solutions, Inc. (2012). Mosaic M21 Manufacturing Software. Retrieved January 8, 2012, from Mosaic Data Solutions: http://www.mosaic21.com/manufacturing.htm NetSuite, Inc. (1998 - 2012). NetSuite. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from netsuite.com: http://www.netsuite.com/portal/industries/manufacturing.shtml RAD. (2011). RAD Solutions: EFACS ERP - EFACS Enterprise. Retrieved January 9, 2012, from radsoftware.com: http://www.radsoftware.com/solutions/erp/ System Dynamics Corporation. (2007-2011). Dynamic 3i Enterprise Resource Planning Enterprise Edition. Retrieved January 8, 2012, from SDC System Dynamics Corporation: http://sdc.ca/enterprise_edition_overview.shtml Read More