Smarter AI for the Shop Floor and Beyond

Epicor Prism introduces conversational AI to traditionally manual environments like the shop floor, warehouse, and sales desk. Built as a suite of industry-specific digital agents, it allows employees to interact with their ERP systems using natural language commands. Instead of manually navigating complex interfaces, users can ask for a list of overdue quotes, insights on part availability, or recommended suppliers and receive immediate, actionable responses.

Andy Young, VP Systems and Processes at Olympus Group, noted the potential impact of this technology on his operations. “One of the most important metrics for us is on-time delivery,” he said. “I really think Epicor Prism can increase our responsiveness to customers and get a typical eight-week delivery time down to four weeks. There’s probably opportunity for a 20% gain in the operation.” This highlights a key use case: reducing lead times and improving customer satisfaction through more intelligent, responsive systems.

Meanwhile, Epicor Grow AI aims to enhance data quality and scalability by integrating ERP, third-party, and legacy data into predictive models. This data backbone powers tools like Item Advisor, which automatically suggests complementary products during the order process—potentially increasing basket sizes and reducing abandoned carts. The platform’s focus on data quality is critical, as poor data remains a top barrier to effective AI adoption across industries.

Decarbonization as a Core Business Metric

With global pressure mounting on companies to reduce carbon emissions, Epicor also introduced the Carbon Cost Rollup—a patent-pending tool designed to measure and manage the carbon footprint of products from raw material to final assembly. This feature is integrated into the Epicor Kinetic ERP system and borrows from traditional cost accounting methods to assign a “carbon cost” at every stage of production.

As Kerrie Jordan, Group VP at Epicor, put it, the tool is meant to elevate emissions data to the same level of business scrutiny as financial costs. This approach could provide a more transparent way for manufacturers to meet ESG targets and comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. The Carbon Cost Rollup also benefits from Epicor’s 2024 integration with Climatiq’s carbon footprint APIs, further enhancing its ability to capture real-time sustainability metrics.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

AI is Becoming a Critical Operational Layer. Predictive AI is no longer a futuristic add-on—it’s becoming an essential part of day-to-day operations. Epicor’s Prism and Grow AI demonstrate how conversational and predictive tools can reduce manual workloads and accelerate response times without requiring data scientists on staff. Companies should assess their current ERP environments to identify high-friction areas where these types of tools could drive immediate efficiency gains.

Sustainability is Now a Core KPI. For manufacturers, tracking carbon costs at the bill of materials level is a game-changer. This approach moves sustainability from marketing material to the core of operational decision-making. For CIOs and CTOs, the question is no longer whether to measure carbon, but how accurately and at what granularity. Companies that can calculate their carbon impact in real-time are likely to have a strategic advantage as ESG reporting requirements tighten globally.

Usability Will Define the Next Wave of ERP Winners. Embedding advanced capabilities like generative AI and carbon accounting directly into ERP workflows addresses a critical barrier to user adoption. If your ERP strategy relies on disconnected, bolt-on solutions, it may be time to reconsider. The most impactful technologies are those that enhance user productivity without disrupting established workflows, ensuring faster ROI and higher overall adoption rates.

The post Epicor Pushes the Boundaries of Industrial Intelligence with New AI and Sustainability Tools appeared first on ERP Today.

“Winning Gold three years in a row is a tremendous honor—and a reflection of our team’s relentless innovation and focus on customer success,” said Rick Berger, CEO of Rootstock Software. “This Gold Stevie Award is also a tribute to the results our customers have achieved,” added Berger.

ERP As Digital Nervous System

At the heart of Rootstock’s platform is what it calls the “Signal Chain”—a connected framework across demand, supply, and production capacity. It’s a digital nervous system for manufacturers, enabling them to forecast demand, simulate sourcing changes, and fine-tune production with speed and clarity. In an era of trade tension, supply chain disruption, and economic whiplash, that kind of intelligence isn’t just nice to have—it’s survival gear.

Award judges and industry analysts alike praised Rootstock for its rapid release cycles, tight customer feedback loops, and embedded AI. “Rootstock’s financial and transactional enhancements equip finance and operations teams with precise tools to optimize decision-making in complex manufacturing environments,” one judge noted.

With global manufacturing on track to reach $16.6 trillion in 2025 (World Bank and Statista data) and digital transformation spend expected to top $3.4 trillion by 2026 (International Data Corporation), companies are under pressure to modernize fast. Rootstock’s momentum suggests it’s not just keeping up—it’s helping lead the charge.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

Modernization is no longer optional: The triple Gold win underscores a broader shift: legacy ERP systems are increasingly seen as liabilities. Rootstock’s continued recognition reflects a market shift towards AI-native, cloud-first architectures that minimize technical debt and accelerate deployment timelines. That said, the prevailing direction isn’t necessarily full cloud migration for everyone. The most forward-looking organizations are adopting situationally adaptive hybrid models—balancing public cloud, private cloud, and on-prem infrastructure to meet performance, regulatory, and business continuity needs. ERP leaders still managing fully on-prem or heavily customized systems should reevaluate whether their architectures can support dynamic forecasting, scenario planning, or intelligent automation—all of which are quickly becoming essential capabilities.

AI: from hype to business muscle: Rootstock’s customers are translating AI from buzzword to bottom-line results—specifically through predictive AI used in forecasting and inventory simulation. These capabilities power intelligent workflows that support real-time decision-making across production and supply chain functions. In a world where businesses must respond within hours—not weeks—this form of operational AI is becoming the backbone of agility. According to a Rootstock customer case study shared in 2025, a mid-market electronics manufacturer achieved a 40% reduction in demand planning time and a 15% boost in on-time delivery by leveraging Rootstock’s predictive AI tools to flag sourcing risks before they triggered delays.

Velocity is the new differentiator: Rootstock’s focus on customer success isn’t just anecdotal; it’s operationalized. The company has built an ERP solution that allows manufacturers to pivot rapidly in response to tariffs, labor fluctuations, or global disruptions. For ERP decision-makers, the lesson is clear: speed, adaptability, and user empowerment are today’s true differentiators. Rootstock’s modular, cloud-native design enables faster implementation and continuous configuration—qualities that leading manufacturers now consider essential to staying competitive in a volatile market. Companies embracing this kind of composable, business-led approach are seeing measurable gains in deployment speed and cost efficiency—not in theory, but in practice.

The post Rootstock Grabs Gold—Again: Cloud ERP With Staying Power appeared first on ERP Today.

Legacy ERP systems can be a significant barrier to enterprise adaptation, digital transformation, and AI readiness. However, an ERP implementation is often the most expensive and risky technology undertaking a company will make each decade. To be successful, organizations need to move beyond high level trends and ERP reports to understand factors like industry fit, agility, and daily operational support. More importantly, organizations need to be able to shortlist and ultimately select the right ERP partner because this is a technology decision that cannot be easily changed.

This session will start by exploring what analyst reports can and cannot tell you about ERP selection. It will then explore why a CIO of a global automotive supplier selected QAD despite knowing where it stood in the rankings. This will include how leaders should evaluate ERP solutions factoring in topics like industry expertise, implementation realities, and long-term business impact. The session will also include a moderated discussion that provides a raw, insightful look at how manufacturing leaders navigate ERP decisions based on business realities.

Attend the session to:

• • • Differentiate between ERP market reports and real-world decision criteria.
    • Identify key factors beyond rankings that impact manufacturing ERP success.
    • Understand why industry-specific expertise matters more than broad evaluations.
    • Apply insights from an experienced ERP leader’s journey to their own selection process.

  
  Sponsored by:

  

   

  Speakers

   

  Beth Hespe
  Analyst Relations Director, QAD

  Beth Hespe is an experienced public relations professional specializing in analyst relations, social media marketing, and media relations. As Analyst Relations Director at QAD, she leads analyst relations for QAD’s ERP and supply chain software. Previously, she managed analyst relations at Ixia (acquired by Keysight Technologies) and built the analyst relations function at Garfield Group Public Relations, where she rose to Vice President. Beth holds an M.S. in Science Journalism from Boston University and a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University.

  Tom Roberts
  VP Enterprise Engagement, QAD

  Tom’s previous career in Information Technology covered all the bases. From answering help desk calls at EDS, to consulting for Accenture, to enabling Manufacturing, Procurement, and Shared Services Operations for Johnson Controls, and to serving as Vice President & Chief Information Officer for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, he’s had a lot of multifaceted opportunities. Tom joined QAD in 2018, to help customers and prospects learn more about how QAD’s Adaptive Manufacturing solutions could drive value for them. Today, Tom leads Enterprise Engagement for QAD’s largest customers, ensuring that customers have a voice and receive maximum benefit in their relationship with the company.

  Michael Ochi
  Product Marketing Director, QAD

  Michael Ochi is the Director of Product Marketing at QAD, where he channels his passion for manufacturing, warehousing, sustainability, and technology. With a background that spans engineering, consulting, and product management, he brings a well-rounded perspective to providing holistic guidance to business and technology leaders. Michael holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, SLO’s acclaimed Learn By Doing atmosphere that developed his ability to build fast, pragmatic solutions.

The post Beyond the Hype: A Guide to Selecting ERP for Manufacturing appeared first on ERP Today.

Legacy ERP systems can be a significant barrier to enterprise adaptation, digital transformation, and AI readiness. However, an ERP implementation is often the most expensive and risky technology undertaking a company will make each decade. To be successful, organizations need to move beyond high level trends and ERP reports to understand factors like industry fit, agility, and daily operational support. More importantly, organizations need to be able to shortlist and ultimately select the right ERP partner because this is a technology decision that cannot be easily changed.

This session will start by exploring what analyst reports can and cannot tell you about ERP selection. It will then explore why a CIO of a global automotive supplier selected QAD despite knowing where it stood in the rankings. This will include how leaders should evaluate ERP solutions factoring in topics like industry expertise, implementation realities, and long-term business impact. The session will also include a moderated discussion that provides a raw, insightful look at how manufacturing leaders navigate ERP decisions based on business realities.

Attend the session to:

• • • Differentiate between ERP market reports and real-world decision criteria.
    • Identify key factors beyond rankings that impact manufacturing ERP success.
    • Understand why industry-specific expertise matters more than broad evaluations.
    • Apply insights from an experienced ERP leader’s journey to their own selection process.

  
  Sponsored by:

  

   

  Speakers

   

  Beth Hespe
  Analyst Relations Director, QAD

  Beth Hespe is an experienced public relations professional specializing in analyst relations, social media marketing, and media relations. As Analyst Relations Director at QAD, she leads analyst relations for QAD’s ERP and supply chain software. Previously, she managed analyst relations at Ixia (acquired by Keysight Technologies) and built the analyst relations function at Garfield Group Public Relations, where she rose to Vice President. Beth holds an M.S. in Science Journalism from Boston University and a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University.

  Tom Roberts
  VP Enterprise Engagement, QAD

  Tom’s previous career in Information Technology covered all the bases. From answering help desk calls at EDS, to consulting for Accenture, to enabling Manufacturing, Procurement, and Shared Services Operations for Johnson Controls, and to serving as Vice President & Chief Information Officer for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, he’s had a lot of multifaceted opportunities. Tom joined QAD in 2018, to help customers and prospects learn more about how QAD’s Adaptive Manufacturing solutions could drive value for them. Today, Tom leads Enterprise Engagement for QAD’s largest customers, ensuring that customers have a voice and receive maximum benefit in their relationship with the company.

  Michael Ochi
  Product Marketing Director, QAD

  Michael Ochi is the Director of Product Marketing at QAD, where he channels his passion for manufacturing, warehousing, sustainability, and technology. With a background that spans engineering, consulting, and product management, he brings a well-rounded perspective to providing holistic guidance to business and technology leaders. Michael holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, SLO’s acclaimed Learn By Doing atmosphere that developed his ability to build fast, pragmatic solutions.

The post Beyond the Hype: A Guide to Selecting ERP for Manufacturing appeared first on ERP Today.

The manufacturing industry faces increasing pressure to maintain high-quality standards while navigating complex global supply chains. According to the American Society for Quality, quality-related issues can account for as much as 15-20% of sales revenue, highlighting the critical need for advanced quality management solutions. By integrating Quality 360, ServiceNow aims to streamline quality control across production and service delivery, ensuring manufacturers can identify and address defects at every stage—from detection to corrective action and resolution.

Originally developed by Advania on the ServiceNow platform, Quality 360 leverages artificial intelligence to provide root cause analysis, automated issue detection, and structured resolution frameworks. The solution includes a centralized Quality Workspace, standardized playbooks, and real-time communication tools, enabling manufacturers to proactively manage quality issues and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

“Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to maintain high-quality standards while managing complex supply chains,” said Rohit Batra, vice president and general manager of Manufacturing, Telecom, Media & Tech Industries at ServiceNow. “By integrating Advania’s Quality 360 into the ServiceNow platform, we’re providing manufacturers with the AI-driven insights and automation they need to proactively manage quality issues, drive operational efficiency, and enhance customer trust. This acquisition exemplifies our commitment to partner-led innovation and delivering industry-specific solutions that drive meaningful transformation.”

The acquisition also aligns with ServiceNow’s broader strategy of fostering co-innovation in the manufacturing sector. The company has made significant investments in digital transformation initiatives, including industrial cybersecurity collaborations with Siemens and the acquisition of 4Industry from Plat4Mation to drive operational efficiency across industrial ecosystems.

ServiceNow has steadily expanded its presence in AI-powered enterprise solutions, with a focus on industry-specific use cases. The acquisition of Quality 360 represents a significant step toward reinforcing its position as a trusted technology partner for manufacturers. By integrating the solution into its MCO platform, ServiceNow aims to help manufacturers manage complex partner ecosystems, including OEMs, resellers, and dealers, with real-time visibility and automation-driven insights.

Advania executives expressed confidence in the transition, emphasizing the long-term benefits for manufacturers. Hege Støre, Group Chief Executive Officer at Advania noted: “As quality management becomes a critical differentiator, Advania is excited to see Quality 360 join ServiceNow’s Manufacturing Commercial Operations. ServiceNow’s AI capabilities and scalable platform will empower manufacturers with a proactive, data-driven approach to quality management, helping them mitigate risks and strengthen their competitive edge.”

Beyond manufacturing, ServiceNow continues to expand its AI-driven workflow automation across multiple industries. Recent partnerships with Visa and Genesys demonstrate the company’s commitment to co-innovation, leveraging AI to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.

What this means for ERP Insiders

ServiceNow’s MCO platform is not without limitations. The addition of Quality 360 certainly bolsters the depth of ServiceNow’s MCO platform, but some challenges remain. ServiceNow’s subscription-based model can be expensive, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers. And the platform requires significant upfront investment in customization and integration, increasing the total cost of ownership. While the platform is highly flexible, customizing it to fit specific manufacturing needs can be complex and time-consuming. Some manufacturers report long deployment cycles due to the need for deep integration with existing ERP and MES systems. It’s also worth noting that the platform’s full potential is realized only when used within the broader ServiceNow ecosystem, which may require additional investments in modules like IT Service Management (ITSM) and Asset Management. Limited native integrations with non-ServiceNow third-party applications can create challenges for manufacturers already using other ERP or PLM systems. While MCO excels in quality management and supply chain visibility, it lacks direct manufacturing execution system (MES) capabilities for shop floor automation and real-time production monitoring. As such, manufacturers may still need to rely on third-party MES solutions for real-time machine data collection and production tracking.

Quality is a non-negotiable for manufacturers.  Effective quality management is crucial in manufacturing, as it directly influences financial performance, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation. Conversely, inadequate quality control can lead to significant costs and risks.​ Quality management issues can result in substantial financial losses, averaging around 15% to 20% of sales revenue, with some companies experiencing costs as high as 40%. These losses encompass various factors:​ expenses related to raw materials, labor, and overhead used in producing defective parts; costs associated with disposing of rejected parts and reworking them to meet quality standards; expenses incurred in determining if parts meet quality standards; rejected parts can cause delays, resulting in lost production time and negatively impacting the bottom line. ​AI systems have achieved a 90% accuracy rate in detecting product defects, resulting in a 35% enhancement in overall product quality. ​As of 2024, approximately 35% of manufacturing firms have implemented AI technologies, focusing on areas like predictive maintenance and quality control.

ServiceNow executing a blended organic and inorganic growth strategy. As of January 2025, ServiceNow has completed 33 acquisitions, averaging nearly two acquisitions annually over the past three years. ​The average acquisition amount is approximately $136 million. From 2016 to 2024, ServiceNow’s revenue increased from approximately $1.39 billion to $10.98 billion. ​While acquisitions have contributed to ServiceNow’s expansion, the company emphasizes organic growth. Under CEO Bill McDermott’s leadership since 2019, ServiceNow has expanded its workforce and capabilities without relying heavily on large-scale acquisitions, maintaining an organic growth strategy. Specific data on the success or failure rates of ServiceNow’s acquisitions is not publicly disclosed. However, the company’s sustained revenue growth and market expansion suggest effective integration and value realization from its acquisitions.

The post ServiceNow Expands AI-Powered Manufacturing Solutions with Quality 360 Acquisition  appeared first on ERP Today.

The food company’s investment in QAD Advanced Scheduling reinforces its vision of continuous improvement. By leveraging QAD’s advanced tools, Mary Ann’s aims to streamline production sequences, reduce downtime, and gain real-time visibility into its manufacturing operations.

Driving Efficiency Through Automation

Elaborating on the impact of QAD’s solutions on their operations Collin Coffey, Director of Business Transformation at Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods, said: “After witnessing the significant efficiencies gained with QAD Redzone Connected Workforce, we recognized the immense potential of QAD’s broader solution portfolio. The solution impressed us with its ability to optimize production sequences, minimize changeovers, and provide real-time insights. This aligns perfectly with our vision of continuous improvement and operational excellence.”

QAD’s solution offers a sophisticated, Gantt-driven user interface that enables precise scheduling, synchronization of material flows, and predictive analytics to address potential disruptions. These capabilities help manufacturers overcome common challenges, such as inadequate capacity planning, inefficient labor allocation, and unforeseen disruptions. As a result, businesses can meet customer demands with greater agility and efficiency.

“Manufacturers today need advanced tools to stay competitive and resilient. QAD Advanced Scheduling provides a game-changing solution for optimizing production decisions and aligning with business goals,” said Andrew Jacob, Director of Strategic Growth at QAD. “We are thrilled to partner with Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods as they continue their journey toward operational excellence.”

What This Means for ERP Insiders

Scheduling tools enhance efficiency. Companies utilizing scheduling tools like QAD Advanced Scheduling have reported up to a 30% reduction in changeover times, leading to smoother workflows and reduced downtime. Thus, implementing these solutions leads to significant improvements in production efficiency for food and beverage manufacturers. For instance, a snack food producer and co-packer successfully integrated QAD solutions across five production facilities, which resulted in improved inventory accuracy and visibility, better supply chain planning, and precise management and scheduling of production lines.

Real time insights improve decision-making. Manufacturers that leverage advanced analytics experience a 25% improvement in on-time deliveries, according to QAD. This ensures customer demands are met efficiently. ERP systems like the one provided by QAD give real-time data analytics, enabling manufacturers to make informed decisions promptly. This capability is crucial for maintaining product quality and compliance with safety standards. For example, QAD’s Quality Management System (QMS) allows manufacturers to meet quality system requirements, including features for track, trace, and recall, helping organizations manage items throughout the manufacturing process and maintain sanitary work environments.

Scheduling solutions help organizations optimize resource allocation. Businesses that implement scheduling solutions boost their production throughput by up to 20%. Leveraging advanced scheduling and planning solutions help manufacturers optimize resource allocation, leading to improved production throughput. For example, QAD’s Demand Planning feature uses customer data to inform manufacturers of consumer buying patterns, helping them prepare for production and distribution, thereby meeting customer demands efficiently.

The post Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods Enhances Efficiency with QAD Advanced Scheduling appeared first on ERP Today.

Founded in 2018, Ascendance has emerged as a key player in the pursuit of net-zero aviation. They develop aircraft and hybrid electric propulsion systems tailored for various regional applications, including passenger transport, medical services, logistics and surveillance. Their innovative approach is poised to reshape the aviation landscape, making sustainable aviation viable on a broader scale. 

Since 2021, Capgemini has been instrumental in supporting Ascendance’s product development, leveraging its engineering expertise across critical disciplines such as system engineering, flight physics, and power systems. This collaboration has laid the groundwork for the upcoming first flight of Ascendance’s ATEA prototype, a next-generation Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft designed with the patented STERNA hybrid propulsion system. 

As the partnership evolves, Capgemini will deploy its comprehensive capabilities in engineering, technology, data analytics, and business transformation to enhance the industrial ramp-up of both the STERNA system and the ATEA aircraft. This move underscores Capgemini’s commitment to nurturing high-potential start-ups while aligning with its broader sustainability goals. 

William Rozé, CEO of Capgemini Engineering, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s expansion, stating, “Together, with Ascendance’s hybrid modular propulsion system and Capgemini’s end-to-end capabilities, we are ready to accelerate and soon deploy decarbonized solutions at scale for the aviation industry.” 

Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO and Co-founder of Ascendance, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of Capgemini’s expertise in engineering and industrialization in bringing their hybrid propulsion solution to market. “Together, we will contribute to making sustainable aviation more accessible, leveraging innovations that will reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector while offering new possibilities for the mobility of tomorrow,” he said.  

What this means for ERP Insiders 

This strategic partnership not only sets the stage for innovative advancements in aviation but also reinforces the growing commitment within the industry to address climate change through sustainable practices. 

Sustainability taking off in aviation. This move represents the industrialization of sustainable aviation solutions, particularly focusing on hybrid electric propulsion technology. This shift is essential for meeting rising regulatory and consumer demands for greener aviation options. 

Aviation’s move toward decarbonization will impact supply chains. CIOs and senior business leaders should be aware of these trends as they will influence supply chains, operational efficiencies, and corporate sustainability strategies. 

Innovation will help solve climate change issues. This partnership illustrates the growing importance of innovation in addressing climate change. Business leaders must consider how adopting similar technologies can enhance their operational models, meet sustainability goals, and align with shifting public and stakeholder expectations regarding environmental responsibility. 

The post Capgemini and Ascendance strengthen partnership to propel decarbonized aviation appeared first on ERP Today.

GR Technology, Inc. dba DKM Inc., is a provider of ERP services for mid-sized to enterprise manufacturers worldwide, and King Nutronics Corporation is a provider of pressure, temperature, torque, and force measurement instruments for the Defense, Aircraft, Avionics, Petrochemical, and Utility industries. Used daily in the punishing environments encountered by the United States Armed Forces, NASA, and other global clients, these instruments are known for their accuracy and durability.

King Nutronics selected Rockwell Automation’s Plex ERP over competitors for its powerful utilities and integration capabilities provided by GR Technology. The GR8T Pathway Bot enables automatic daily syncs, on-demand data refresh, and the ability to drive job and purchasing demands, leveraging customer purchase orders from Service Management to Plex. These features enhance supply chain efficiency and overall company operations, lowering warranty costs.

“GR Technology’s GR8T Pathway Bot has transformed our calibration and repair processes with streamlined access to information and simplified record-keeping. The communication between Plex and the GR8T Pathway Bot enables us to efficiently maintain standardized, centralized service operations for our products,” said Leslie King, General Manager at King Nutronics.

Rockwell Automation’s Plex Systems offers a cloud-native Smart Manufacturing Platform Mid-sized to large enterprises across industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, and food and beverage, focusing on driving efficiency, scalability, and innovation in manufacturing operations. When Rockwell acquired Plex in 2021 for $2.22 billion, Plex was serving over 700 customers across 37 countries, managing more than 8 billion transactions per day.

“We developed GR8T Pathway Bots to empower leading companies like King Nutronics with seamless communication between third-party applications and their Plex ERP. We are proud to contribute to their success story,” said Lorren Riggle, COO of GR Technology., Inc.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Manufacturers should include industry-specific ERP options on their short-list. Implementing industry-specific ERP systems offers manufacturing companies tailored solutions that address their unique operational challenges. Manufacturing-specific ERPs provide integrated workflows that optimize production processes, reducing downtime and increasing output. ERP systems can reduce inventory holding costs by up to 30% through optimized inventory management, avoiding overstocking and stockouts. Industry-specific ERPs assist in meeting compliance standards, such as ISO 9001 and AS9100, ensuring product quality and design standards are maintained. ERP implementation success rates have improved significantly, with studies showing that 88% of organizations successfully implemented ERP systems, thanks to advancements in cloud computing and industry-specific solutions. And manufacturing ERPs enable rapid response to changing customer demands and market conditions, supporting agile manufacturing practices.

Learn from Rockwell / Plex’s existing customer base. Southern Precision Fabrication (SPF), implemented the Plex ERP system to digitize operations, resulting in a 10% increase in profit margins and a 40% improvement in on-time delivery. The platform provided real-time shop floor visibility and automated data collection, enhancing efficiency and decision-making. By adopting Plex ERP, Everyday Technologies achieved a 20% reduction in on-hand inventory within the first three months. The cloud-based solution offered real-time access to production data and automated inventory control, enabling precise forecasting and strategic inventory management. Kendrick Plastics utilized Plex MES to eliminate data silos and gain near real-time data visibility, leading to better business decisions and reduced scrap rates. The system enhanced production efficiency and quality control in their automotive component manufacturing processes.

Learn from GR Technology’s existing customer base. RB&W Manufacturing implemented GR Technology’s GR8T Platform, integrating Salesforce CRM and Plex by Rockwell Automation. This integration enabled effective management of win/loss analyses, capitalization on sales opportunities, and informed strategic decisions based on pipeline management. Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) utilized Plex MES, enhanced by GR Technology’s GR8T Platform and EDI Passport, to automate 3PL-to-customer transitions. This automation improved supply chain reliability, saved shipping costs, and streamlined operations by automatically updating containers and generating shipment order notifications. In partnership with RMB Solutions, GR Technology assisted Landoll Corporation in reducing warranty expenses from 5.9% to 0.45% while tripling production. The implementation of an intuitive platform led to time and cost savings, improved accuracy, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

The post King Nutronics and GR Technology Announce Go-live of Rockwell Automation’s Plex Smart Manufacturing Cloud appeared first on ERP Today.

Mike Melzer, vice president of operations and services at Global Shop Solutions, a software provider of ERP systems for manufacturers that aims to simplify manufacturing, encourages organizations to ask themselves some questions to identify areas for improvement to bolster business growth. They include:

Costs: how well do organizations know their costs?

Inaccurate job costing can lead to inefficient manual tracking processes that can result in excessive rework and overtime, inaccurate quotes and job loss due to high labor costs. Software like Global Shop Solutions’ Job Costing Accounting module captures costs by measuring cost components by freight, labor, overhead, outside services and more. 

This module allows organizations to track labor time and costs to identify human error, correct costs, perform daily balancing and track inventory and production costs in real-time. 

Do organizations know their inventory?

Precise inventory tracking can enhance the production process. To produce accurate inventory counts, organizations can turn to inventory management tools to gain real-time insights into their inventory and how to increase productivity and enhance workflows. 

Barcode inventory, for example, can facilitate real-time mobile transactions and scans during physical counts. Leveraging a solution such as an Automated Purchasing Screen to buy inventory based on material requirements, planning functions and purchase history. Leveraging inventory management tools, organizations can benefit from cost reduction, improved forecasting, great visibility with access to real-time data, an optimized inventory and better inventory accuracy. 

Can organizations flow their inventory and operations data for an accurate financial statement?

Manually transferring production and financial data can result in incorrect financial statements due to human error. Shop Management modules and screens can monitor and report on all aspects of an organization’s shop, including inventory, labor and production, which ensures the correct data translates into the financial statements. Shop Management enables organizations to identify and correct financial mistakes caused by inaccurate or incorrect data. 

Do organizations know what professional services are available from Global Shop Solutions?

Global Shop Solutions’ Continuous Improvement Team offers 40 professional services to help organizations simplify their manufacturing operations. Some of these services include financial and operations health checks, on-site consulting for topics specific to the company/user, GAP analysis process review, process audit and more. 

Discover more from Global Shop Solutions and how it can support manufacturing organizations, here.

The post Questions manufacturing organizations should ask to boost business growth appeared first on ERP Today.

Headquartered in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, AOX designs and develops complex system architectures and high-performance software that increasingly enable and define the performance and features of today’s vehicles. 

The company helps carmakers and suppliers master the shift from traditional software engineering to developing highly integrated scalable architectures. This shift is crucial for carmakers and suppliers to stay competitive, leading to a faster go-to-market strategy with enhanced software features and products. 

Christof Horn, who leads the automotive practice of Accenture’s digital engineering and manufacturing service, Industry X, in Europe, said: “Software expertise is becoming the dominating factor in the auto market.

“This is where AOX excels. The company’s expertise in high-performance computing, real-time operating systems and the entire software development process makes them an ideal addition to Accenture. The AOX team will become another pillar of the automotive technology powerhouse Accenture has been building over the past years.”

Christina Raab, market unit lead for Accenture in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, said: “Automotive companies are looking for new types of providers that bring deep software architecture expertise and the ability to execute projects across the entire product lifecycle, cost-efficiently and at scale. 

“In combining AOX’s and Accenture’s capabilities we will form a strong player that develops software from the chip to the cloud, covering the complete life cycle from architecture design to maintenance. This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to build long-lasting strategic relationships with our clients and support them along the complex Automotive Software value chain.”

This acquisition looks to expand Accenture’s automotive service and solutions portfolio following the acquisition of ESR Labs in 2020 and collaboration with Faurecia and Affectiva, which was announced in 2019. 

Accenture’s collaboration with Faurecia and Affectiva saw the three companies leveraging “The Connected Car Lab” to innovate driver safety and in-car infotainment for occupants. 

The acquisition of ESR Labs, a Munich-based company that develops embedded software for leading German car brands and suppliers, strengthened Accenture’s Industry X.0 capabilities and helped automotive clients drive greater value from software.

Accenture’s latest acquisition announcement displays the company’s commitment to helping automotive companies drive efficiencies, unlock value, enhance the customer experience and create new business models. 

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