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The Role of Mobile Technology in Modern Manufacturing and Distribution
Unlocking the Power of Mobile Technology for Modern Manufacturing and Distribution
Mobile technology has transformed the manufacturing and distribution industry, revolutionizing the way businesses operate and interact with their customers. From improving communication and collaboration to enabling real-time data analysis and decision-making, mobile technology has become an essential tool for modern manufacturing and distribution businesses.
At Bezlio, we understand the unique challenges facing manufacturing and distribution businesses. That’s why we have developed a range of customized mobile solutions designed to help businesses of all sizes overcome their most pressing challenges. In this blog, we’ll explore the role of mobile technology in modern manufacturing and distribution, and how Bezlio can help businesses improve their operations and achieve greater success.
Mobile Technology in Inventory Management
The use of smartphones and tablets in inventory management has gained even more traction during the COVID-19 pandemic as processes and shared spaces saw tighter regulations. The reason for the increased use of mobile technology in inventory management is not isolated to pandemic restrictions. Mobile technology has proven highly efficient for barcode scanning, stock replenishment, and order picking. With faster entry rates, greater data accuracy, and increased ROI, mobile technology is making big waves across the massive inventory management space.
Bezlio’s Customized Mobile Solutions
Bezlio is a Mobile ERP solution designed to solve the most pressing problems of manufacturing and distribution businesses. We create customized mobile solutions for each individual business, allowing them to optimize their operations, streamline processes, and achieve greater success. Our customers benefit from increased productivity at every level, seamless collaboration across every department, and a more direct path to success for every job.
Real-time Data and Analytics
One of the most significant benefits of mobile technology is its ability to provide real-time data and analytics to businesses. With Bezlio, businesses can access real-time data from their ERP system directly from their mobile devices, enabling them to make more informed decisions and respond quickly to changing circumstances.
For example, if a production line is experiencing a slowdown, managers can receive instant alerts on their mobile devices, allowing them to take immediate action to address the issue. This kind of real-time data and analytics can help businesses improve their operations, reduce downtime, and increase overall productivity.
Improved Communication and Collaboration
Mobile technology also plays a critical role in improving communication and collaboration between different departments within a manufacturing or distribution business. With Bezlio, employees can access real-time data and collaborate on projects from their mobile devices, no matter where they are. Employees can work together more efficiently, sharing information and insights in real-time. This can help to reduce errors, improve accuracy, and speed up decision-making processes.
Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.” – Steve Job
Enhanced Customer Service
Another way that mobile technology can benefit manufacturing and distribution businesses is by enhancing customer service. With Bezlio, businesses can provide customers with real-time updates on their orders, shipping status, and delivery times.
Customers can access this information from their own mobile devices, allowing them to track their orders and stay informed throughout the entire process. This kind of enhanced customer service can help businesses build stronger relationships with their customers, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Improved Employee Productivity
Mobile technology can also play a significant role in improving employee productivity within a manufacturing or distribution business. With Bezlio, employees can access real-time data and collaborate on projects from their mobile devices, no matter where they are. This enables employees to work more efficiently, without being tied to a specific location or device. They can access the information they need to do their jobs from anywhere, at any time, allowing them to be more productive and efficient.
Reduced Costs
Mobile technology can also help manufacturing and distribution businesses reduce their costs. By enabling real-time data analysis and decision-making, businesses can identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, allowing them to reduce waste and optimize their operations.
Additionally, mobile technology can help businesses reduce their reliance on paper-based processes such as order forms, invoices, and receipts. This can help to reduce the costs associated with printing and storing paper documents, as well as the time and effort required to process them.
Conclusion
Mobile technology has become an essential tool for modern manufacturing and distribution businesses. From improving communication and collaboration to enabling real-time data analysis and decision-making, mobile technology has transformed the way businesses operate and interact with their customers.
At Bezlio, we understand the unique challenges facing manufacturing and distribution businesses, and we have developed a range of customized mobile solutions designed to help businesses overcome these challenges. Our customers benefit from increased productivity at every level, seamless collaboration across every department, and a more direct path to success for every job.
By leveraging the power of mobile technology, manufacturing and distribution businesses can optimize their operations, streamline processes, and achieve greater success. With Bezlio’s customized mobile solutions, businesses can improve their efficiency, reduce their costs, and deliver better customer service.
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Maximizing productivity in manufacturing and distribution with Bezlio’s ERP solutions
Maximizing productivity in manufacturing and distribution with Bezlio’s ERP solutions
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and distribution industry, every second counts. Wasting time on manual data entry, inefficient inventory management, and inaccurate job costing can lead to costly mistakes and lost profits. That’s where Bezlio’s ERP solutions come in to revolutionize the way you work, streamlining your operations and maximizing your productivity.
Accurate Job Costing With Painless Data Capture
Bezlio’s ERP solutions offer intuitive labor tracking for time clock or time card style labor collection, resulting in accurate tracking that saves you thousands. With easy clock-in and clock-out features, your employees can easily record project time on the go, without having to go back and forth to a kiosk. The result? A more efficient way to track labor, accurate job costing, and higher profits.
Location Transfer & Real-Time Inventory Data Access
Bezlio’s Location Transfer feature allows material to be transferred between inventory locations from a mobile device with a simple barcode scan. The real-time data access enables your shop floor employees to move materials to and from warehouses and other locations with ease, reducing delays and enhancing your inventory management processes.
Purchase Order Receipts & Automated Shipping/Receiving Procedures
Our ERP solution streamlines your shipping and receiving processes with real-time purchase order receipts. Your shop floor workers can receive and record orders with a single scan through the fully barcode-driven interface, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors.
Issue Material & Streamlined Access to Every Corner of Your Inventory
Seamlessly issue material to work orders from your mobile device with our Issue Material feature. All materials will be recorded, and the changes will be automatically reflected in Parts Tracking and more. The Part Inquiry feature enables you to see pricing info, physical attributes, and availability from a phone, tablet, or computer, giving you a complete view of your inventory, and allowing salespeople to look up available inventory stored in the ERP system quickly and easily while on the road.
Finished Goods Receipt & Accurate Tracking
With our Finished Goods Receipt feature, users can record the number of units they’ve completed, then transfer the finished product to inventory. Shop floor workers and material handlers can use barcode scanners to instantly record, upload, and share finished goods data. This helps you keep accurate records and improves your inventory accuracy.
Project Labor Timesheet & Accurate Tracking Leading to Higher Margins
With the Project Labor Timesheet feature, employees can clock-in, clock-out, and record project time throughout the day from any mobile device. This real-time data can help managers evaluate project costs, labor allocation, and more, leading to accurate tracking and higher profit margins.
Cycle Count & Real-Time Opportunistic Counts
Bezlio’s intuitive mobile cycle count function allows inventory to be updated in real-time, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry and reducing errors. The scanning function eliminates the need for manual entry, making the process faster, easier, and more accurate. This reduces variances in physical inventory, making the process more efficient.
Customer Tracker & Mobile CRM
Our Customer Tracker and Mobile CRM features enable you to instantly view and update client information directly from your phone, maintaining contact info, notes, follow-up dates, active quotes, ship-to information, and more. This enables your sales reps to customize a pitch to each customer, resulting in more sales, and optimizing customer relationships.
Bezlio’s elevates your ERP with a comprehensive set of features that help you streamline your operations, reduce errors, and maximize productivity, leading to increased profits. Whether you’re in manufacturing or distribution, our solutions can help you take your business to the next level.
Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or see our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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How to Choose the Best Mobile ERP Solution For Your Manufacturing
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System or Software plays a huge role for every business that wants to thrive in the 21st century world. Why? It is due to its ability to embrace complex and emerging workloads. Hence, why you would see many businesses embracing the use of ERP systems for the consistent and robust management of their business operations and resources.
Undoubtedly, the market is flooded with a wide range of enterprise resource planning systems and software solutions. Hence, making it a highly challenging task to select the best mobile ERP solutions for your business or organization.
It could be likened to the situation of finding the right partner for marriage. Whether you’re a director for a small or mid-sized business, or a CIO for a large enterprise, there’s no shortcut to determine the best ERP systems for your business. Remember, your decision in terms of choosing the right mobile ERP solution can impact the growth of your business. Any wrong move could be hazardous. In fact, many businesses have lost years of time and revenue before discovering the right mobile ERP.
So, to the question- how do you choose the best mobile ERP solution? There are certain essential factors to consider if you want to make the process easy and hassle-free. But before we dive into that, what are the different types of ERP solutions available in the market?
Types of ERP Software Solutions
On-Premise Software
In this case, on-premise software is usually installed and managed over its specific physical location hardware. Therefore, the installer is saddled with the responsibilities regarding its maintenance.
Hosted Software
Whether the server is rented or owned, the organization needs to continually maintain this kind of software. It could be connected to the internet for easy monitoring. More so, it could be assessed from anywhere in the world in line with your requirement as an organization.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS software is managed, monitored, and maintained via the software provider. Licenses are provided for a certain period of usage. With a strong internet connection, it can be easily accessed from anywhere in the world.
Now that you know the different types of mobile ERP solutions available in the market, how do you select the best ERP software from the diversity of options available? Remember, it could be a challenging job when searching for the most accurate ERP solution but here are a few tips:
Know Your Requirements
When it comes to looking for the best mobile ERP solutions, the very first important task is to ascertain areas of your business that’s bleeding and need a cure. Simply put, identify the pain points pulling down your business growth. Next, note down the specific areas of your business that need to be streamlined vis process integration and automation. When you’re able to accurately define your expectations, you’ll be able to choose the ERP solution with the best features and functionalities that benefit your business or organization.
You have a Business Ambition and Growth Strategy, Understand It
After understanding your organization’s pain point, the next step is to conduct a critical evaluation on your business ambitions and growth plan. You already know that ERP is a long-term business solution, and you won’t have to change ERP software intermittently. Therefore, you should be careful enough to select the best mobile ERP solution that fulfills your current pain points and your future growth ambitions.
Zero in On On-Premise or SaaS ERP
You already know that an on-premise ERP solution would have the necessary add-ons in your organizational premises while the SaaS based solution is provided as a service via the internet. If your organization can afford the comprehensive costs like the hardware and continuous monitoring, on-premise is a perfect choice. On the other hand, cloud ERP isn’t a perfect option for small and medium-sized businesses that are mindful of the cost of EPR deployment.
In the case of SaaS/Cloud based ERP solutions, the vendor is saddled with responsibilities such as data backup, product upgrades, security and many more on a continual basis. For organizations with minimal budgets, a cloud ERP is the best option. Why? The cost of deployment is pretty negligible, and it is based on a pay-per-use structure.
More so, cloud-based SaaS ERP solutions saves organizations from the cost of having expensive IT staff to manage the system because the vendor is already in-charge of the management. Therefore, you should consider the type of ERP that’s perfect for your organization.
Flexibility
Your growth as an organization will determine whether to move from cloud-based ERP to on-premise ERP solutions in the future. Hence, you also need to have a clear-cut knowledge regarding the database structure of the cloud/SaaS based ERP software. This is because ERP vendors may operate on a consolidated database for all their clients, thereby not allowing options to shift from cloud-based ERP to on-premise model in the future.
However, having a multi-tenancy single company database structure will make it easy to help you shift your ERP model in the future. Therefore, the database backup option is also one of the crucial factors to consider when selecting a mobile ERP system.
Database Backup Options
The ability of ERP service providers to give you the periodical back of your database also determines the best ERP system to choose. Whether it is SQL, Oracle or other database structure, having your database could save you in the future, especially when you decide to part ways with your ERP vendors.
Not having the database pack could get you significantly stuck with your ERP vendors for a long time – even a lifetime after you’ve terminated your contract with them. This is because your business now solely depends on that specific ERP vendor whenever you need to access your historical data.
Compare ERP Solutions
Your budget and requirements are two indispensable factors when on the lookout for the best mobile ERP software. Once you’ve discovered the best ERP systems that match your budget and fulfill your requirement, compare them at length based on factors such as cost and product’s alignment with your business operations and processes. Carefully check out the product demo and ask the most relevant questions from the vendor.
With this, you are sure to arrive at a product that’s perfectly fit for your business. After carrying out this process, shortlist a few ERP systems and solutions that seem a closest match to your expectations and then further evaluate them based on your own business-specific parameters discussed earlier.
There you go – perhaps some of the suggestions and tips on how to choose the best mobile ERP for your business. Other valuable tips include consulting with existing customers of shortlisted vendors, ensuring a flexible, elastic, and scalable, selecting an industry-specific ERP, and many more.
Would You Consider a Mobile ERP?
If your organization hasn’t implemented the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), then you should implement it soon. Why? It allows you to run your ERP system in a simple and hassle-free way. For new age employees and millennials, comfort and flexibility are two important elements at their workplaces. But implementing a BYOD isn’t a task with no challenges.
The best ERP solution is one that is not only mobile-friendly but also complies with adequate security features, thus ensuring the encryption and security of all your mobile and sensitive data.
CONTACT US!
Interested in implementing a mobile development platform like Bezlio to help better manage your inventory and transactions? Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or see our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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Shop Floor Employees Say Fixing The Following Would Help Them Become More Productive
Regardless of the size of business, there would always be a need to continue to devise effective strategies to increase productivity. The impact of continuous improvement on the bottom line of your business is enormous as it enhances gross profit and boosts competitiveness. When it comes to productivity in the manufacturing shop floor, a combination of factors are usually involved. These include the efficient employees, facilities and equipment, and even manufacturing processes.
As you continually think about improving in all these areas, it is essential to examine and analyze the current practices and adjust accordingly, especially with regards to the systems, employee training, and the equipment utilized in producing parts and components. Want to improve your manufacturing shop floor for increased productivity? You should begin by measuring the existing output levels, create a baseline, and implement proven solutions to measure the changes.
Here, we would be revealing what shop floor employees say would help them become more productive.
Evaluate Your Productivity Workflow
One of the very first steps many employees says would help them become more productive is to identify the pain points in your career workflow. Some of the components of productivity workflows you’ll evaluate include the people, technology, and the processes and procedures required for production. Apart from that, the employees also says that the communication tools and resources utilized across the organization should also be examined.
Value mapping is one of the proven and effective strategies to identify and monitor projects for continuous improvements. With value mapping, manufacturing managers will be able to point out the issues and put into record the impact on the changes on the overall system.
Invest In Training and Employee Education
The manufacturing industry is an ever-changing one. Every time, there’ll always be a new technology with the intent to boost efficiency in the manufacturing floors more than ever before. Whenever there is a technological advancement in the industry, the required skills to execute certain tasks also changes. Ultimately, regular training and education of employees would equip them with a more advanced skillset to executive tasks efficiently and effectively using the new technology.
Set Realistic Goals
Some of the components of unrealistic goals and expectations include clients’ expectations, strict production, and unnecessary pressure regarding production. In a situation where the benchmark of workload in the manufacturing floor becomes unattainable without making some compromise to safety or quality, employees tend to immediately becomes dissatisfied. Ultimately, this prevents employees from achieving their labor goals. Boosting the efficiency of your workers requires that you set realistic goals and expectations. These should include clearly defined objectives, which ensures timely-delivery, high quality output, and safe and healthy procedures or processes.
Equip Employees with Smarter Technology
In the manufacturing industry, employees say they are only as productive as their tools. While innovative machines are high-end and costly in terms of setup and training, equipping your employees with these tools could have a lasting effect on their productivity. According to employees, machinery upgrades tend to help boost their productivity. Apart from that, they also become increasingly competitive in a new and innovative market.
There you have it! Perhaps some of the things employees say would help them become more productive. Other tips that could help employees in the manufacturing shop floor remain more productive include a well-organized system, improved teamwork and collaboration, investment in tools maintenance, and updated machine shop processes.
CONTACT US!
Bezlio has a mobile app offering pre-configured integrations with Epicor ERP to provide users with real-time access to their dashboards. Our pre-build Epicor mobile app solutions provide the opportunity for manufacturing companies to record production data, receive inventory, record finished goods, issue materials, and many more. Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or visit our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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Key Differences Between Epicor & Infor Visual & What Is Best For Your Business?
Epicor ERP is an enterprise resource planning system developed by the Epicor Software Corporation, an American company based in Austin, Texas, United States. Its products are primarily designed for Small and Midsize businesses particularly in manufacturing and distribution.
Infor VISUAL is equally an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution by Infor, a multinational company, headquartered in New York City, United States. Like Epicor, Infor VISUAL is also largely aimed at small and mid-sized manufacturers.
Both systems offer a range of features that are designed to support and improve various aspects of manufacturing operations. Here are a few key differences between Epicor and Infor Visual:
Key Differences Between Epicor & Infor Visual
Here, we’ll explore the key differences between Epicor and Infor Visual by focusing on how these ERPs perform across the broad categories of User Experience, Supported devices (Mobile friendliness),Integration support, Functionality, Pricing and Additional costs.
User Experience
Epicor is easy to use, flexible, and customizable. Users can extract and enter data in any format while the support team is excellent. The software has been designed in a logical way that makes it easy to navigate and use. It also offers options to select between classic and modern styles of the UI. If you prefer the latter, you can choose from a tile-based design that resembles the modular nature of ERP.
Infor Visual is also great on user experience. What is even better, the company has been going the extra mile to ensure that their user experience appeals to the younger generation by focusing on updating the product’s interface. This modernization includes a refreshed web-like user interface that supports mobile devices.
While both offer a fairly good user experience, Infor is much easier to use. The interface is simple and intuitive, and the company has plenty of training options. It also has a number of online and classroom options. There is a user support group and annual user conferences to help users get the most out of the software.
Supported devices (Mobile friendliness)
Both Epicor and Infor Visual are mobile friendly with mobile-optimized visualizations, making them suitable for mobile devices. Both support Windows, Linux and Android.
It is important that any ERP you deploy be mobile friendly because this is where things are going. A good ERP should be accessible across devices, and especially the most common and popular ones including Windows, Android and Linux.
If you would like your mobile workers to comfortably access and use your ERP from wherever they are, then the Bezlio app is the answer. Bezlio makes it possible for your teams to enjoy real time access to your company’s ERP be it Epicor or Infor Visual. Your field workers need not wait until they go to the office where ERP data is traditionally locked. In modern manufacturing, data collection and use ought to be real time and not through paper-based systems like spreadsheets or slow integrations.
Integration support
What is the extent of integrations that each ERP can support, which one supports more, which supports less?
Infor Visual provides add-ons including applications to handle various needs as a manufacturer might find necessary. There are dedicated add-ons/applications to handle various needs of customer relations such as Salesforce, price quotes etc. Additionally, Infor has ongoing partnerships with a couple providers to facilitate integration with third party platforms.
Epicor on the other hand does not seem to have a rich offer when it comes to integrations. But still it provides a powerful offering in the form of an On-Demand Integration service. It uses this service to connect users to its partners where they are facilitated to perform integrations.
Capabilities
Both do an excellent job in offering high level capabilities that support a wide range of functions in a manufacturing company set up.
Epicor’s solutions are further broken down and arranged according to industries. For example under manufacturing, you can choose from a list that includes
Aerospace and Defense, Discrete Manufacturing, Make-to-Order Manufacturing, Electronics & High Tech, Industrial Machinery, Medical Services etc. Once you select your industry, you will find a suite of solutions that mirror the common needs of manufacturers in the same space, thus making it possible to quickly find a fitting solution.
Infor is equally powerful in terms of capabilities across different functions. It offers comprehensive, dedicated and tailored solutions that cover many categories for manufacturers. Like Epicor, the solutions for manufacturing are also extensive, only that they are not as neatly categorized as is the case in Epicor. Common capabilities include Financials, Supply Chain, Product Lifecycle Management, Price Quote Configuration, Human Capital Management, Automation, and Workforce Management, Asset Management etc.
Pricing
Epicor’s pricing starts at a monthly cost of $175 per user, but you can also get a quote for more features beyond the standard packages.
Infor Visual’s pricing model on the other hand is purely based on the quote approach, meaning you will have to contact the company, present your needs and get an appropriate quote.
Additional costs
Epicor charges additional costs for additional modules, updates and customizations since they are not included in the basic pricing. You will have to buy these separately.
Infor Visual on the other hand offers continuous improvements for your license at no additional cost. New modules and updates are available to users at no additional costs, plus you get access to experts to help with installation.
Which Is Best For Your Business Between Epicor & Infor Visual?
Epicor and Infor Visual are both exceptional in their offerings. But Infor Visual enjoys a slight edge over Epicor based on the above analysis. Its offerings are comprehensive, and the pricing model is reasonable in the long term thanks especially to the absence of additional costs.
Conclusion
As much as we have recommended Infor Visual as the best overall, please note that this is only according to a judgment based on the differences highlighted in this article. The actual best for you should be informed by your company’s unique needs. What is best for your competitor, for example, might not be necessarily the best for your company.
Ultimately, the best choice for your business will depend on your specific needs and priorities. It is important to carefully consider the features and capabilities of both Epicor and Infor Visual, as well as any other ERP solutions you may be considering, before making a decision.
CONTACT US!
Bezlio has a mobile app offering pre-configured integrations with Epicor ERP to provide users with real-time access to their dashboards. Our pre-build Epicor mobile app solutions provide the opportunity for manufacturing companies to record production data, receive inventory, record finished goods, issue materials, and many more. Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or visit our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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Company Culture in Manufacturing and How it Impacts Your Bottom Line
You might not have thought deeply about it, but your company’s culture is deeply connected to the bottom line of your business- growth, and profitability. Whether it is manufacturing or any other industry, a rich company’s culture can help you rise above the industry benchmarks. Ultimately, you’ll outsmart others in the industry and outperform the competition.
With such imminent benefit, you should keep an eye on your company’s culture. Why? It affects many aspects of your business. So, how does company culture impact your bottom line? Let’s take a brief look here:
Improved Employee Satisfaction
With a good company culture, you’re helping your employees stay glued to the goals, objectives, and nature of their work. In addition, you’re also creating excellent working relationships among employees, thus building a healthy working environment.
Ever heard of “brain drain” in the manufacturing industry? This means that there’s a high tendency for competent employees to leave a company with poor culture for a better one. Of course, you can motivate your employees with salaries and other incentives. Employees are actively willing to trade a lower-income company for a company that brings more comfort coupled with a conducive and respectful environment.
Companies that focus on investing in complete satisfaction for their employees will receive increased commitment and dedication. And certainly, the satisfaction of your employees impacts the bottom line of your business.
Cuts Costly Turnover
The huge tasks being executed in the manufacturing industry require specific skillsets and qualifications, thus making employee turnover extremely costly. How do you solve this problem? Improve your company’s culture.
It’s pretty simple to put a smile on the faces of your employees every day as they go about with their daily activities. This will ultimately motivate them to stay in your company and channel more of their energy to your business in the long run.
Boost Employee Engagement and Productivity
In a company that encourages open communication within and across team members, there’s a significant increase in employee engagement. When you put things in place to boost employee engagement, you’re building a set of team members with a strong sense of worth as they know exactly what they are up to. Ultimately, this increases their efforts and productivity.
When your employees are happy and satisfied, they’ll be less likely to take sick days off. With that, employee absenteeism is drastically reduced, which will benefit the bottom line of your manufacturing company in the long run.
Good Company Culture Helps Cut the Required Management
Your company culture isn’t only about celebrating your employees on their special days like birthdays. Of course, that’s a great part of it, but you also need to instill positive values. A set of team members actively inspired, self-sufficient, and motivated requires less management from your end as an employer. Thus, you’ll have sufficient time to channel to other aspects of your business growth instead of micro-managing your team members.
Attract Top Talents
Admittedly, a great work atmosphere attracts top talents. Today’s applicants and job seekers take their time to research your company’s culture before stepping into your doors for an interview. Of course, you know there are workplace review and feedback forums. Applicants actively look out for your company on such forums to influence their job decisions.
Want to attract the best brains? Create a great, positive, and flexible company culture. You already know what the best talents mean to the bottom line of your manufacturing company.
Improve Your Company Culture Today. Start Now!
Undoubtedly, company culture remains an indispensable part of your manufacturing company. So, you had a good insight into how company culture impacts the bottom line of your business. Therefore, you should focus on creating and maintaining solid company culture. And you’ll be amazed at the effect of the changes you make on the bottom line of your business.
CONTACT US!
Interested in implementing a mobile development platform like Bezlio to help better manage your inventory and transactions? Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or see our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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These 3 Manufacturing Shop Floor Inefficiencies Are Eating Away At Your Bottom Line
You’re at the top level of a brand-new manufacturing business. But, as the eager entrepreneur that you are, you’re determined to begin to set the sail without even checking if the ship is seaworthy.
After the launch, you discover that your organization gets flooded with water. You quickly employed strategies to steer your way through the inefficiencies even though the water kept pouring in. Eventually, as you approached the deeper parts of the sea, the sinking didn’t stop.
Your business becomes increasingly submerged and eventually gets lost in the murky waters of poor business planning.
With the story of the metaphorically sinking ship up there, you should understand that some inefficiencies could befall your manufacturing shop floor and eat away at your bottom line. Now, this article seems like a lighthouse.
We’ll explore the top three inefficiencies eating away at the bottom line of manufacturing shop floors, as well as the solutions to overcome them.
Let’s dive into the top 3 manufacturing inefficiencies eating away at your bottom line.
Lack of Skilled Workers
One of the manufacturing shop floor inefficiencies eating away at your bottom line is the lack of skilled labor. Reports reveal that young people aren’t well-equipped with a clear-cut understanding of the manufacturing industry. And the older workers, on the other hand, are retiring. In fact, the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte Consulting LLP reported that 22% of workers in the manufacturing industry will now be retiring in the next ten years.
Solution
The issue of lack of skilled workers shouldn’t continue this way. Managers should employ initiatives to ensure that unskilled workers are trained to discover opportunities. For instance, Soaring Hearts, one of the best Shopify furniture stores, provided scholarship opportunities for anyone interested in studying mental health or business management.
If you really want to overcome the inefficiencies caused by unskilled labor, partnering with community colleges or offering training programs remains one of the best options.
Inventory Management
Whether your company is big, small, or mid-sized, investment management remains one of the inefficiencies eating away at your bottom line. In fact, as you continually strive to fulfill your orders, you’ll be faced with problems relating to shop floor management even amidst the chaos of running a business.
For many, this aspect of the manufacturing shop floor isn’t relevant. But you must stay on top of your inventory management as it significantly and directly impacts your sales and manufacturing orders.
Solution
Like other key players in the manufacturing industry, you can overcome the problem of inventory and production management when you invest in an ERP system. With a manufacturing ERP system, you can simply automate your inventory management and schedule your deliveries, positively impacting your order fulfillment rate. Instead of this inefficiency eating away at your bottom line, you’ll be able to focus on scaling your business.
Getting Your Automation Integration Correctly
Technological advancement has since become the other of the day. And it has continued to increase demands, thus putting more pressure on most manufacturers to fulfill their orders, whether large or small. This seems like a huge concern for manufacturing companies as they compete with large-scale manufacturing companies that can afford to integrate artificial intelligence to streamline their processes for improved efficiency.
Solution
Indeed, companies might be unable to imitate the giant corporation with the capital to overcome their manufacturing inefficiencies with the help of automation. However, this doesn’t rule out the fact that you can get a slice of an automated pie at an affordable price. With a simple ERP system, manufacturing companies can overcome the inefficiencies eating away at their bottom lines and enhance their business process for increased productivity and success.
CONTACT US!
Bezlio has a mobile app offering pre-configured integrations with Epicor ERP to provide users with real-time access to their dashboards. Our pre-build Epicor mobile app solutions provide the opportunity for manufacturing companies to record production data, receive inventory, record finished goods, issue materials, and many more. Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or visit our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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Key Technology Trends for Manufacturing Companies
A decade or two ago, manufacturing was a very different world. It was a highly regulated, high-capital business, and products had to go through several intermediaries before they reached the consumer.
Today, the rapid changes in technology and public policy have removed many of the barriers to entry and progress. Computing costs are tumbling, connectivity is becoming ubiquitous, and new manufacturing techniques allow manufacturers to analyze huge amounts of data and make real-time decisions.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the key technology trends that are shaping the industry
Key Technology Trends for Manufacturing Companies
Technology is the new normal in manufacturing. A survey conducted by Gartner indicates that 83% of manufacturing companies in the world understand the implication of technology on their supply chain. IBM’s 2021 report states that 67% of manufacturing organizations have digital projects in place to address supply chain disruption caused by the Covid-19.
From IoT to Smart manufacturing and automation, here are the key technologies shaping the manufacturing sector, and there is every reason for manufacturers to take them seriously.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is an exciting new technology that is changing manufacturing. It refers to a system where physical devices are connected with sensors to collect useful real-time data. By using these sensors to identify potential problems and alert facility managers, IoT can help cut maintenance costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction.
According to a study conducted by the MPI group, about 31% of manufacturing processes are now working with the aid of IoT through connection with smart devices. During the production process, IoT devices can help track products throughout the supply chain. They can also collect customer sentiment data, which can help production managers improve product quality and reduce costs.
A rising number of manufacturers have developed a key interest in IoT systems since the Covid pandemic hit the world, and this is a good step. As the number of connected devices grows, the importance of the IoT in manufacturing will become more apparent.
Smart Manufacturing
Smart manufacturing is a concept that refers to several enablers (technology solutions) that, when collectively implemented, transform the manufacturing processes. The enablers optimize the entire process with the intention of increasing efficiency, asset reliability, product quality, reducing costs and generating more profits.
A key element of smart manufacturing is immediacy, coupled with real-time data collection, connectivity, and interoperability between software solutions. These systems must interact to provide a seamless experience to the user. Bezlio is the best example of a tool you can deploy to achieve smart manufacturing. With Bezlio, your teams are able to access and interact with your ERP systems on the go, regardless of where they are. Whether they are working on the factory floor, out in the field or always on the roads for the case of logistics, Bezlio makes it possible to work with your company’s ERPs as if they are in the office.
Smart manufacturing relies on real-time data and decisions. This allows for proactive maintenance and improvement of processes. This is why the term “smart factory” has been coined. The data collected is transformed into insights that are then communicated back to various systems within the manufacturing ecosystem. This helps to prevent unplanned downtime, avoid scrap and rework, and boost the human element of decision-making.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are two emerging technologies that can be used in manufacturing, in the following ways.
Quality control & maintenance
AI is significant for quality control. It comes with visual features that aid in inspecting the quality of the products as they undergo the different manufacturing stages. AI and ML algorithms can also assist manufacturing companies in meeting maintenance schedules, identifying production glitches, and assessing the quality of products.
Product customization
In recent years, demand for owning customized and personalized products has surged. With this, manufacturers can use consumer data to produce personalized goods with AI. AI is also applicable for mass customization when customers have similar preferences.
Suggesting solutions
Machine learning can be deployed to suggest appropriate actions for workers, identify consumer behaviors to minimize risks and predict shipping time.
Advanced-Data Analytics
In manufacturing, Advanced-Data Analytics includes a broad range of analytical techniques that help identify patterns, predict events, and drive improvements. These methods utilize artificial intelligence, machine learning, and complex mathematical algorithms to correlate data and make more informed decisions.
The process of producing a product involves continuous streams of data created by people and machines. The goal of advanced-data analytics is to understand these data streams to better manage resources, improve quality and profitability.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR and VR)
Augmented Reality (AR) is a digital manipulation of one’s real perception, which can be enhanced by adding digital elements. Virtual Reality (VR) is an advanced AR that is a step further. VR replaces the user’s reality with a digital one.
This is how manufacturers can take advantage of AR and VR
Training
One of the earliest applications of AR and VR in manufacturing is training. By using computer-generated scenarios in training, trainees can experience a more realistic and diverse training environment without putting themselves in harm’s way.
Repairs
During regular machine checks and repairs, for example, AR can project information required by workers directly to the part of interest. It means there is no need to consult experts, charts, or instructional materials. Any worker can carry out an operation when this kind of digitization is in place.
With AR and VR, manufacturers can create experiences of the performance of the factory floor, guide employees to assemble products and or repair machines.
Safety
Manufacturing companies can simulate the production environment to identify potential threats before they occur. This will improve employee safety, lower repair costs and downtime, and increase the bottom line. For example, you can integrate VR into your production processes to help employees inspect production lines and ensure safety.
Security
Although technology is making manufacturing easier, it also creates more points of vulnerability for hackers. Hackers typically target manufacturers for three main reasons: industrial espionage, theft of intellectual property, and counterfeiting. For these reasons and with the introduction of the GDPR, manufacturers must ensure that they manage their data securely.
In the past, manufacturers were blissfully unaware of cyberattacks. Their systems were only connected within the organization’s network. As such, they were largely untouched. And since they were only remotely connected, they were largely protected from the threats they were facing.
But now Cybersecurity is an increasingly important topic for manufacturers. A comprehensive approach is necessary to address the risks. The cybersecurity solution should consider the whole lifecycle of a manufacturer’s production, from product development to maintenance and response architecture. Manufacturers must focus on the sector-level environment, regulatory issues, and the mindset of end users in implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
Automation
Automation in manufacturing is simply the use of robotics. Robots are put in place to boost productivity, increase operational safety and enhance product quality. AI-enabled robots and collaborative robots (cobots) can work together with humans on different tasks that are manually repetitive or pose a threat to employees. Robots can collect, share and analyze data.
Here is how automation is shaping the manufacturing sector
Automation simplifies complex processes
Automation has the potential to simplify complex manufacturing processes and increase productivity. For example, automation can replace certain forms of human, freeing them to focus on higher-level tasks, like customer service.
Automation enables round the clock working
Automated systems can work around the clock without any maintenance or replacement costs. Additionally, the latest technologies in robotics can lead to more precise and consistent motions, which reduces energy consumption and increases productivity.
Automation eliminates repetitive tasks
Automation can replace several employees and handle repetitive tasks. This can help improve the work environment, increase productivity, and enhance the quality of products.
While the benefits of automation are undeniable, the negative impacts cannot be overlooked. For example, robots can malfunction, resulting in higher repair costs, reduced product quality, and reduced sales.
To take full advantage of automation, you need to map your operations and determine which tasks can be automated. Once you have identified which tasks will benefit from automation, you can start implementing the technology.
Conclusion
To compete as a manufacturer, you must understand the forces shaping the evolution of this industry. You should consider the emerging platforms, tools, and services to leverage these changes. Bear in mind that niche markets are also being created, as consumers have increasing power over their spending.
The secret is to pay attention to these fast rising trends and use them to your advantage to avoid being overtaken by events. This is the right time to take action, depart from the traditional mindset and embrace new technologies.
Contact Us
Interested in implementing a mobile development platform like Bezlio to help better manage your inventory and transactions? Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or see our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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We are data surrounded by data. Here’s why manufacturing data needs to be accurate, real-time, and easy to access
The use of modern technology attracts more data generation, which is a lucrative opportunity for the significant growth of the manufacturing sector. In today’s world, data has been a critical tool in the manufacturing and service provider industries. If I can say, data is today’s gold, and databases are the banks. Since data is essential, it needs to be accurate, real-time, and easy to access by authorized personnel.
It’s true that real-time and accurate data drives hop floor optimization! Gone are days when documents were preserved for decades and when data used to disappear. The use of mobile technology likes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) provided by Bezlio helps automate manufacturing processes Bezlio has done it for us.
Importance of data accuracy and real-time availability
There is a myriad of benefits of accurate and real-time data collection to manufacturers. Thus, adopters of data-driven approaches in their manufacturing workflows can experience the benefits in the form of:
Better decision making
Output is dependent on the quality of input. When decision-makers are provided with accurate data, and the data is availed at the right time, the output of the process becomes nothing else other than robust decisions. The benefits of robust decisions include lowering investment risks, minimizing waste but are not limited to the overall production.
Employees working remotely or who have been sent overseas to market goods and services can collect data and record it in a mobile application. Upon saving, the data is distributed across all employees, and the authorized ones modify and make decisions.
High production
Data accuracy and availability go far beyond decision-making and have an impact on production. Nothing demotivates employees than errors resulting from inaccurate data and restrictions from accessing data. When employees are fed with the data they need, time spent fixing errors is used in other essential activities.
Since the most significant part of the manufacturing process is production, accurate data motivates employees in the production department, fostering a high production rate. Therefore, digital manufacturing depends on data accuracy and availability.
There are different software companies across the globe offering digital manufacturing technologies, but Bezlio is the best of all. Bezlio helps automate shop floor activities, inventory management, training of employees, and tracking of items in warehouses.
Lowers manufacturing costs
In the 21st century, data breaching has been the leading cause of business failure because companies are spending pretty much cash on data recovery. A company that hires or outsources taskforce to fix errors frequently suffers a high cost of survival, and bargaining for a more significant market share is directly related to lower production costs.
Comparing the cost of repairing data errors and machine malfunctioning, the former is a bit expensive. Having accurate data and availing it when necessary save financial resources and positively reflects the brand credibility.
High marketing strategies
The manufacturing process ends when the product reaches the consumer and feedback is given. Marketing and data accuracy are intertwined because misleading marketing interpretation is also shown when wrong information about the market is provided.
Well said, then what makes marketing data accurate? Using mobile technology to gather marketing information makes it possible to reach the intended party at the right time. Bezlio’s mobile Apps are developed to guarantee efficiency and effectiveness in data collection, marketing, and data analysis.
CONTACT US!
Interested in implementing a mobile development platform like Bezlio to help better manage your inventory and transactions? Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or see our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.
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From purchase order to shipping, how mobile technology can streamline shop floor operations
New market demand cannot be met by using old technology. The rise in market demand in the 21st century has demanded creativity and innovation of the highest order. Some of the technologies arising are mobile printing, voice-based picking Apps, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
BLE has drastically gained traction and helped streamline manufacturing processes from purchase orders to shipping. BLE is a user-friendly technology that monitors processes, workers, tools, raw materials, and inventory within the organization. It organizes the whole company into a single user-friendly interface.
All the processes can be monitored in a single dashboard—thumbs up to Bezlio for developing such a wonderful mobile solution. We are typically a software development company that provides mobile solutions for managing inventory, tracking shop floor activities, training employees, and monitoring processes.
How BLE facilitates shop floor activities
Gone are days when employers invested heavily in a skilled and expensive workforce. With BLE fully implemented in the workplace, ambiguous processes are executed quickly. The question remains, how does BLE facilitate shop floor tracking? Well, the process is easy to understand but solves technical problems.
BLE optimizes production logistics and tracking the movement of goods within the workplace. Not a single item can go missing because BLE uses tags to track items. Bezlio tracking application sends signals and displays information about the location of the assets on a dashboard.
The shop floor is the foundation of manufacturing, and its automation leverages cloud connection. Thus, automation is significantly possible through the integration of mobile technology. BLE tracking also helps in monitoring the shipment of goods from the warehouse to delivery destinations. Mobile technology has eliminated errors in parcel navigation and delivery.
BLE technology offers real-time alerts in case the performance of machines goes outside the threshold. These alerts are applicable when counting items in warehouses. An automatic alert is sent to notify the supervisor or plant operator when an item is counted twice. With the help of BLE, work instructions can be reduced to electronic documents that are easy to peruse, leading to the digitization of shop floor records.
From locating inventory to job and materials tracking, BLE can help optimize your operations quickly and easily. Learn more about this easy to access technology and how it can build next-generation manufacturing processes to your shop floor.
Training of employees is a critical process in manufacturing companies. The production sector requires a competent workforce, and it depends on the quality of training offered. With the recent automation of shop floor operations, training is one of them. Employees can receive real-time training when required, regardless of their current locations.
Since manufacturing involves ordering raw materials, processing, and delivery, these workflows demand a robust system for recording and storage. Manual checklists have been used for a while, but technology has provided an alternative. With digital checklists, the recording of orders and delivery records has been simplified. These digital checklists are available as mobile applications.
The manufacturing industry is fast growing with greater volume orders that every customer expects to be completed in the usual turnaround time. You should be well prepared to face this high demand. So, when you implement the newest mobile solutions, you will improve your operational efficiency, complete orders quickly, reduce errors, and boost your profit margins.
In conclusion, technology has extended its innovation to real-time monitoring of machines. With a smart device and a tag installed in a machine, the progress of the machine can be monitored to detect failures or predict a failure. Give your shop floor all the technology it needs!
CONTACT US!
Interested in implementing a mobile development platform like Bezlio to help better manage your inventory and transactions? Contact us today and we can begin customizing a mobile ERP solution to address your business challenges or see our website’s Resources tab for case studies and blogs about our products and services.