Driving Innovation Across Manufacturing Value Chain

By August 8, 2013Uncategorized

Accurate Data and Real-time Analytics is Critical to Manufacturers

For decades, manufacturers have invested in and developed technologies that leverage “just in time” and “Six Sigma” approaches to (a) impose flexibility and scalability into their production and supply chain disciplines, (b) achieve zero defect quality performance, and (c) efficiently meet the growing demand and expectations of a savvy consumer market so as to lower costs and increase product margins.

During the last two decades, data analytics has established itself as the means to drive value across the entire manufacturing value chain.  Further, experts suggest that, at the enterprise level, it has played a leading role in development and investment which has resulted the advent of an array of business software systems, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MRP (Material Resource Planning), SCM (Supply Chain Management), PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management).

Over time, in order to take full advantage of these systems, manufacturers developed processes facilitating collection, forwarding, storing, analysis and report data.  Initially, that approach presented challenges such as assuring that (a) the appropriate data was collected from the correct sources, (b) the data was delivered at the right time and to the right person or organization and (c) the data was accessible and delivered in the correct formats.

Currently, there exists another so-called “paradigm shift,” viz., “Big Data.” As the Internet of Things gathers momentum, this challenge intensifies as the amount of available data grows. This data deluge will only grow as the next phase of the Internet of Things “” the Internet of Everything “” comes online. According to the Cisco Visual Networking Index, by 2017, there will be 1.7 billion machine-to-machine wireless connections””including asset-tracking systems in shipping and manufacturing sectors.

Just as a person reading a book must understand the definitions of the words on the page, the value of Big Data must be realized for long-lasting impact. For today’s manufacturers, the essential challenge becomes: How to effectively harness and leverage the vast amounts of data collected from various sources to drive sound business and operational decisions throughout the entire manufacturing value chain? There are obstacles to meeting this challenge. Currently, many of the business and supply chain management systems are “siloed” within the manufacturing enterprise. In addition, out of the vast amount of data generated, a significant portion falls “on the floor” and goes unused. For many manufacturers, the consensus is that much of the data collected doesn’t have sufficient value because it is not delivered in real-time to the correct decision makers in a format that is easily digestible.

Manufacturers are looking for a methodology to “stitch” these various business systems into a cohesive and integrated decision engine that will combine, for example, data from computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, collaborative product development management, and digital manufacturing production systems across organizational boundaries. This will help drive innovation, quality and cost savings throughout the organization. That is to say, Big Data is not enough. Manufacturers also need to collect, analyze and report the data dynamically. Thus, they must learn to harness “Data in Motion.”

 

Leaders of Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Companies Rely on Cornerstone as Their SAP Partner and for  Exceptional ERP Systems Consulting 
We make it easy for you to discover if the enterprise resource planning (ERP) and premier business management solution, SAP Business One with built-in SAP Crystal Reports and mobile functionality, will be the a good fit for your enterprise. We’re looking forward to your call.

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With SAP Business One Provided by SAP Gold Partner, Cornerstone Consulting, Your Enterprise can Have Cutting Edge Technology, Superior Real-time Analyticals and Accurate Reports Now

Why do so many growing Manufacturing, Online Retail and/or Wholesale Distribution businesses located in FL, as well as companies located through out the U.S., rely on Cornerstone for enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, related services and technical support? As an award-winning Top Value Added Reseller and SAP Gold Partner,  simply stated, our expertise is superior. Cornerstone Consulting has been providing state-of-the-art business software systems, as well as related technical support, to small and mid-sized manufacturing and wholesale distribution enterprises for more than thirty years.

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If you’re interested in working with an advanced technology consulting, web development, and IT firm specializing in business automation and optimization, you have found your dream team. You can rely on Cornerstone to provide outstanding software products, related services and technical support for all areas of your small or medium sized business, such as: financial accounting, operations, customer relationship management, sales, inventory control and tracking, warehouse management, e-commerce, and more. Cornerstone’s highly-skilled programmers, trainers and consultants specialize in providing our Manufacturing, Wholesale Distribution, and Online Retail clients with optimal business process configuration, integration and automation.

Thinking about making your business run better than your competitors? We’d like to hear your ideas concerning how you’d like to re-imagine how well your operations could run with streamlined, integrated, state-of-the-art, cutting-edge software and technology. We’re excited to discuss how your small or medium enterprise (SME) can not only run better but also out-smart your competitors. Call us today at 813-321-1300!

 

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