Reasons for reshoring
There has been a push in recent years for American companies to bring manufacturing jobs and processes back within U.S. borders. Independent Retailer said modern consumers seek out products with the made in the U.S. label and companies are eager to respond to that demand.
Customers like local goods because they promote the national and local economies and creates a sense of national pride. Also, global markets and e-Commerce create a wealth of options. There is an increased interest in manufacturers that can produce specialized merchandise, which is easier with direct supervision of production processes.
Outside of customer demands, there are other factors that encourage businesses to reshore their manufacturing operations. Industry Week suggested countries that previously offered cheap labor have gone through recent economic growth, which increases the price of manufacturing. Companies no longer receive the discounts they once did through offshore options. The U.S. government also offers incentives to bring jobs to local citizens.
The Reshoring Initiative suggested technology like ERP solutions is another reason local operations are more feasible and easier to manage than before. Cloud-deployed enterprise technology is much more cost-effective than on-premise hosting. Updates such as mobile capabilities provides a flexible infrastructure modern manufacturers need to stay competitive.
Leaner manufacturing with ERP solutions
A cloud-deployed ERP software program like Microsoft Dynamics NAV gives manufacturers a 360-degree view of their operations. Managers can plan production projects with a complete set of data about suppliers, production lines, employees and customer demands. Mobile tools provide information for the workers who actually handle manufacturing responsibilities.
Informed processes prevent waste. If a company knows exactly what the customer expects, when vendors can provide materials and how long products should take to construct, it can create lean production lines. Accurate insight into infrastructure prevents stalls or wasted materials. Forbes said the speed at which cloud ERP services operate means managers see instant results. A manufacturer can receive feedback about product launch success and stop inefficient processes as soon as negative trends are spotted.
Lean manufacturing saves a company money, manpower and resources. Another advantage to cloud-deployed ERP solutions is that a business can outsource its IT duties while keeping manufacturing close to home. Offsite hosting provides security and updates as they happen. Organizations can work with a trusted ERP partner to provide the hardware and experience necessary to maintain data processes, while the company managers focus on internal concerns.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV helps major shift in procedures
Any time a company decides to make a change to operations, it needs to ensure the transition doesn't throw a wrench in existing processes. Infrastructure readjustment will always cost time, money and resources, so a company needs to make sure the new solution is worth the investment and offers a smooth implementation.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV's cloud capabilities provide complete visibility of adjustments to current procedures. If a company moves a manufacturing plant or introduces a new item into production, employees using mobile devices to report real-time data provide a clear picture for how the changes proceed. It makes it much easier for companies to stay flexible and innovative, so they can respond to market demands.
Companies looking to move their manufacturing locations, change their infrastructure or alter their product offerings should speak with an ERP consultant to see how cloud-deployed solutions would work with current goals. Businesses need to audit the operations they have and clearly communicate what they expect from a new approach to manufacturing.
If you are looking for a partner to help your ERP evalulation and ERP implemention Microsoft Dynamics NAV, The TM Group of Michigan has years of experience working with organizations in many industries such as manufacturing and distribution.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is available as a cloud or an on-premise solution, please feel free to contact The TM Group today at 888.482.2864 or visit our website at www.tmgroupinc.com. We would be happy to discuss all your options in more detail. We look forward to hearing from you and designing the perfect solution for your company.