Are you using your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to its full potential? Chances are, you’re among the majority who aren’t!

At Datacor, we’ve seen first-hand how even the largest, most tech-savvy businesses use only the base features of their ERP system and fail to capitalize on – and exploit – all the functionality it offers.

In fact, we’ve seen companies that have relied on an ERP for decades but have, for whatever reason, stuck with the exact same set up they started with all those years ago. That’s a huge mistake.

By sticking with the status quo, they won’t have been able to maximize their returns or ensure they’re working as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The Benefits of an ERP

Used correctly, an ERP provides a central hub for all the information your business collects and processes. The software is the “brain” that helps you control your operations – optimizing productivity and maximizing control over everything from inventory to your financials.

At the end of the day, it's probably one of the only ways you can properly view if your business is robust and healthy, says Eric Dompkowski, Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Datacor. Dompkowski’s background is in operations, he’s gone through multiple ERP implementations and specializes in streamlining large scale supply chains.

ERPs provide a single, unified source of data that allow for more informed decision making. Besides the associated cost and efficiency savings, the system also helps users stay compliant – offering complete control over everything from safety data sheets (SDSs) and certificates of analysis (COAs) to invoices, inventories, and manufacturing.

Without an effective ERP, companies can’t have full visibility over their workflows or performance – and this can lead to costly mistakes, maybe inadvertently misreporting taxes or misunderstanding their fulfilment capabilities so they can't get product out the door.

Don’t make the mistake of underutilizing your ERP. In this article, we look at some of Datacor’s features and functionality that can help you maximize the potential of this powerful tool.

1. Creating a Digital Audit Trail

Although part of Datacor’s core ERP package, the End of Period Module is often overlooked by users. This month-end closing procedure is a newer feature that not only replaces paperwork and reduces reliance on conventional spreadsheets, but it creates a secure and reliable audit trail. If you’re not already taking advantage of this useful module, contact your Datacor representative to help get it set up.

2. Manage Your Maintenance Better

Many companies still do not utilize tools to manage the maintenance of their facility. The age-old adage of, “if you don’t make time for maintenance, maintenance will make time for you” still rings true. This is costly in lost production and labor. Instead, companies have access to Datacor’s Plant Maintenance feature, which allows users to cut work orders, track parts, and monitor labor time – so you can understand exactly how much your maintenance program is costing you. It could, for example, help you determine whether that piece of equipment that’s regularly undergoing maintenance is end-of-life and needs replacing.

3. Automation Improves Productivity

Removing some of the more labor-intensive tasks from your workflow can result in considerable time savings, allowing you to turn your attention to other, more important, jobs. Automated Reports and E-mail Events does just that, letting you automatically send colleagues anything from order confirmations to reports. Rather than having to share an invoice manually, for example, this handy feature means you can simply create a server task – or automated event – and program the system to take control of everything, sending out all invoices at the end of each day, every day.

4. OCR Saves Time & Increases Accuracy

Among Datacor’s many Premium add-on features is Office Automation – an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) scanning engine that automates the Accounts Payable vouchering process that handles automatic matching and variances. Rather than manually processing paperwork and then having to double check everything for accuracy, the OCR functionality automatically inputs all data into the system and correlates the information – resulting in time savings of up to 80-90%, says Dompkowski. Not only do users have the added reassurance that they won’t be missing, or making erroneous, payments, but the system allows you to scale without having to add headcount.

6. Complete Control of Your Inventory

On the inventory side, Datacor WMS – our leading Warehouse Management System – provides real-time inventory control and full visibility of your supply chain. That means you’ll never be sitting on inventory and can always ensure you’re picking product correctly before it expires.

By barcoding inventory, the WMS keeps you in complete control of product as it moves around the warehouse. Any discrepancies from the start to the end of the day are flagged rather than overlooked, which makes a big difference to the ordering process and makes it easier to determine when you need to order more stock. Making a concerted effort to digitize your warehouse brings massive returns on your investment in the form of better product turn rates, reduced variances, fewer mis-shipped orders, faster throughput, and more.

7. MES, Making Sense of Manufacturing

Datacor MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is another must-have that replaces the step-by-step guide and batch tickets on the shop floor. Live inventory, scanning, and safety pictograms are just some of the features built into it. An MES provides outlines to components and steps, as well as real-time routing so you can see where product is going – all accessible through a single dashboard. Companies don’t have a true picture of how much volume and dollars pass through the production floor, and leveraging the digitization of the shop floor provides the visibility to claw back cash and maximize your capabilities.

In the current environment with increased competition and uncertainty, can you really afford not to make the most of your ERP? Remember, your dedicated Datacor representative is always on hand to help you make the most of your software and can help you set up any of the features mentioned above.

To learn more about Datacor solutions, get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system?
An ERP automates the entire manufacturing processes, helping users monitor and control everything from orders and inventory to payroll.

Why is it important to regularly reassess how I’m using my ERP?
It’s always worth exploring ways you can make your system more effective to meet the unique – and ever-changing – demands of the industry. Datacor’s Optimization Team can help you unlock the potential of your software through tailored sector-specific support and best practice.