ERP Software Solution

Does my enterprise need an ERP software solution?

For years only large corporations have been able to enjoy the benefits of ERP applications. Now,
Compiere ERP and CRM puts the power of timely and consistent communications within reach of small
to medium-sized businesses by offering superior ERP software that is affordable, adaptable, and
scalable.
Is your company burdened by multiple data sources that you can't integrate? Are you losing time
and money by duplicating order entries and business processes throughout your enterprise? Are
timely customer delivery and inventory stocking procedures getting to be more than your current
system can handle? Do you have multiple warehouses that share resources or do you frequently do
business in a multi-currency, multi-tax environment? If you answered yes to one or more of these
questions, then your enterprise may want to consider investing in Compiere ERP.
back to Top
Can ERP software improve my company's business performance?
ERP solutions give you the ability to save time and money across your entire enterprise. With ERP
software you need only input customer, vendor, and order data once and then share it across your
functional departments. You can automate inventory and warehouse procedures as well as billing
and accounting procedures. You can use ERP applications to create reports and analyze enterprise
trends quickly and easily, allowing you to respond quickly to shifts in the market. Compiere also
helps make e-commerce easy. The information in our Web Store is shared with the standard
application, so no synchronization or extra integration work is required.
back to Top
Will an ERP application fit the way I do business?
With traditional ERP solutions, this question was vital. ERP applications normally come with a
built-in system of "Best Practices" whose restrictive rules limit your business processes. That
is not the case with Compiere. Our ERP system was built to adapt to your business structure
because we know that every company has unique needs. Compiere is not only easy to customize, we
also make it easy to change your ERP implementation decisions at a later time. We know that every
company grows and changes and we created software that can adapt with you.
back to Top
Can ERP software help with my integration problems?
One of the reasons businesses look into an ERP installation is that their enterprise is
experiencing difficulty in integrating the information they have stored in widely diverse
applications that can't "talk" to one another. Organizations within a company may even use
different programs to perform the same functions. When you install an ERP application you solve
many of your information integration problems. Compiere ERP is an integrated Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) and Customer Relations Management (CRM) software solution that combines the power
of point of sales (POS), distribution and inventory, e-commerce, accounting, and workflow systems
within one robust application. With an ERP system you have better data quality, since information
need only be entered once to be available to the entire company. You are also able to easily run
reports using enterprise-wide data, allowing you to quickly see trends developing within specific
organizations or across your entire company. If you require industry specific software that
requires integration with your ERP system you may wish to speak with one of our nearly 100
Compiere Partners worldwide for assistance.
back to Top
What are the costs associated with ERP implementation?
Compiere open source ERP software frees you from the burden of the initial product licensing fees
that accompany all commercial ERP application. Instead, use your budget to create a successful
ERP implementation for your particular enterprise. Rather than paying software fees, you may
decide to have a Compiere Partner create an industry specific feature, or you may have a large
staff that could benefit from training on your new system. You may also find that years of
working with multiple incompatible data sources has left you with "dirty data" that needs to be
cleaned up prior to importation in the new ERP system. Perhaps you've decided that now is the
time to upgrade some of your servers or workstations. However you decide to use the money you've
saved, you can feel confident that Compiere provides you the best ERP solution at the lowest
total cost of ownership.
back to Top
How long will an ERP implementation take?
The actual installation of Compiere can be done in a day or two by experienced IT staff. However,
keep in mind that implementation of any ERP system also includes importing old data from various
sources into the new system, the integration and testing of the ERP system with existing
corporate software, the training of employees on the use of the new system, and the completion of
any enterprise-specific customizations. Enterprises also usually find it worthwhile to take time
at the beginning of the ERP implementation process to review their current business practices,
seeing where they can be streamlined now that they are no longer be 'locked into' a specific
business flow with a restrictive software package. The whole process traditionally takes several
months to a year depending on the size and complexity of your business.
Compiere's flexibility makes the installation process much easier than a similar installation
with traditional ERP software because, unlike other enterprise applications, with Compiere the
decisions you make today can be changed tomorrow. All of the information provided during
implementation can be adapted or modified at any time to meet the changing needs and demands of
your company. Other ERP systems don't allow these on-the-fly changes. The result is that with
these traditional ERP applications, changing anything - whether something complex, like your
chart of accounts or even something as simple as a product search key - can require expensive and
time consuming modifications or even complete product reinstallations.
back to Top
How do companies organize their ERP projects?
There are three common approaches to installing a new ERP system in an enterprise:
Enterprise-wide full installation - This approach was very common in the early days of ERP
installations as, at the time, many large corporations were trying to quickly become Y2K
compliant. The biggest challenge companies encountered was getting all their employees to
cooperate and accept a new software system at the same time. If you are leaning towards this
method of installation, make the transition easier by clearly outlining the ways that the new ERP
software will be an improvement over existing software. Provide training for your employees to
increase their comfort level with the new system. If your top level staff members are solidly
behind the new ERP system and you take the time to help transition your staff to the change, you
will go a long way towards helping your company achieve a successful ERP installation.
Unit by Unit - This is common approach among large or diverse companies where there are not many
common processes across business units. Management will locate a particularly open-minded and
flexible team and install a pilot ERP installation in that department. Some process that don't
vary much across the company, such as financials, bookkeeping, and HR may be installed across the
entire enterprise, but the pilot department has it's own separate ERP system and database, or
"instance". Once the company feels comfortable with the success of the installation, the pilot
team is used as an in-house customer reference to sell other units on ERP. This process can be
somewhat time consuming, but does often lead to increased employee acceptance of the new ERP
application as they hear testimonials from peers on the benefits of the new system. More
departments may be added over time with their own discreet instances of the ERP application, or
the company may try to consolidate them into a handful of different instances or perhaps even
into a single ERP instance for the entire enterprise.
Key-Process Installation - Smaller companies often opt to focus on a few key processes for their
initial ERP installation. For instance, they may decide to start out using the ERP application's
financial module and add other features as the company grows. Since Compiere provides companies a
fully integrated ERP package rather than requiring a company to purchase separate modules, it's
easy for a company to add additional processes as the company desires new functionality.
Traditional ERP software often caused problems down the road for this type of installation since
they required choices to be made at the time of the initial installation that could not easily be
changed at a later date. You won't face that problem with the new Compiere ERP model. Compiere is
designed to change with your company now and in the future. Be aware, though, that an ERP
implementation isn't really successful until it is in use by employees. You must still expect to
devote some time and energy to training employees on new features as they are implemented.
back to Top
Is a "single instance" of ERP better?
Although every business is unique, running only one instance of an ERP provides several
advantages. When running a single instance of ERP, you save time and have better quality
information across the company because you need only input that information once rather then
multiple times. Running a single ERP instance also means all your financial data resides in one
place which creates a simpler audit trail, eliminates consolidation errors, and saves time and
money when closing your books. A single instance also allows you to run comprehensive
company-wide reports that allow executives to share resources more easily across the company and
see where cross-promotional opportunities may be in order. Single ERP instances are generally
less expensive to support, and migration to the newest Compiere ERP release is quicker and
easier, allowing you to take advantage of the latest features we have to offer in a timely
manner.
back to Top

How difficult is it to upgrade ERP software?

Compiere presents another break-through in ERP - an easily upgradeable application! While many
traditional ERP companies sold the promise of free upgrades, in reality hardly any businesses
were able to take advantage of them because they had spent large sums of money customizing the
software for their industry and thus had voided their support contract. But easy upgrades aren't
just a sales pitch with Compiere ERP. Compiere was built to make customizations and extensions
simple without impacting the migration process. No longer does an ERP system need to remain
static, as if frozen in time. Now you really can keep up with all the latest product features
without sacrificing your custom extensions.
back to Top
How does ERP fit with e-commerce?
Compiere ERP can help your e-commerce business thrive. With the Compiere web store you can easily
offer both physical and digital merchandise in a secure environment that can be customized to the
look-and-feel of your web site. Our web store is fully integrated with our ERP system so that it
is always up to date with the latest products and inventory information. No synchronization or
extra integration work is required. We also provide the ability to run sales, promotions, and
discounts on either a global or per customer basis. With a web store that's fully integrated into
your ERP system, you'll feel comfortable knowing that your inventory, customer contact
information and financial transaction information is always current and easily accessible across
your entire enterprise.
back to Top
Can I use ERP to manage a global enterprise?
Compiere ERP is an excellent solution for managing a global enterprise. Traditional ERP
applications weren't developed for the complexities of the global market. Gaps in functionality
arise when these features are simply layered on top of existing code. However, Compiere ERP was
designed with global markets in mind, featuring multi-currency, multi-tax, multi-costing,
multi-accounting and multi-organizational functionalities. Our accounting solutions cater to the
needs of your enterprise, no matter what currency or schema you use. Compiere even provides the
flexibility to account in one or more Accounting Schema in parallel.
Compiere's Rich and Reach interfaces allow users all over the world to connect with your ERP
system, so geography is no barrier to your business. Plus Compiere ERP also features language
packs and the ability to customize both the Web Store and the application itself to suit your
language requirements.

Software Solutions for Rapid Prototyping

 Infor, a global provider of enterprise software solutions to select manufacturing and distribution industries, has won a contract to supply its Manufacturing Essentials to leading industrial chemicals manufacturer, RP Adam Ltd, based in Selkirk on the Scottish Border. RP Adam Ltd supplies industrial chemicals to a wide variety of industrial and consumer verticals including the leisure industry, pub chains, schools and county councils. It also has a sizeable global market, and a number of foreign subsidiaries.

RP Adam Ltd’s Purchasing Director Rachael Wright explained why the company chose the Infor Manufacturing Essentials solution “SyteLine7”: “The overriding benefit of the system from our point of view is its impressive, seamless level of integration over all modules, and its Real Time Shop Floor Data Collection and Business Intelligence functionality. This type of functionality is something we have never had in place before. Basically, we anticipate Infor Manufacturing Essentials being of inestimable value to us right across our business spectrum, from the shop floor to the Boardroom.”

Wright outlined some of the constraints the company has suffered through the use of its old software package: “Our previous package was first sourced in 1999 and for the past six years really hasn’t proved to us that it has the flexibility we require as a successful, constantly expanding company. We have also been restricted by having a number of disparate IT systems. For example, we have been using a Customer Relationship Management system run on an Access database. However it is a standalone solution and cannot directly share information with our other IT systems. Consequently a lot of time has been wasted transferring data from one system to another, and there has always existed the risk of data inaccuracies due to the level of dual keying of data that has taken place. Our main IT system has also lacked the flexible functionality we require in terms of preparing reports from various information sources.”
The company therefore set about looking for a replacement software solution and recruited the services of an IT procurement consultant, who prepared a list of 12 potential software suppliers, based on RP Adam Ltd’s required specifications. “We then put each potential system through a rigorous test regime involving workshops and academic analysis,” Wright commented. “But it was obvious from an early stage that Infor SyteLine offered the level of integration and functionality we required, and the flexibility to adapt and grow with us as a company.”
Implementation of Infor solutions is due to commence imminently, with a go-live date anticipated to be 4 January 2006. “Infor´s Professional Services consultants will undertake the implementation and will work with our department heads to train our staff both in terms of everyday use and in order to ensure we get the very best from the system,” said Wright.
Keith Deane, Infor Global Solutions’ VP EMEA Operations commented: “We are delighted that once again Infor Manufacturing Essentials has been chosen by a leading manufacturer for its rich functionality, flexibility and level of integration. We very much look forward to working with RP Adam Ltd during the implementation and training stages to ensure it gets maximum benefit from the system from the outset of the go-live date
Axure Software Solutions
Axure Software Solutions
dedicated to helping others design applications that are more useful and more usable.
Axure RP Pro is used by thousands of customers to elicit feedback and validate requirements with stakeholders and to clearly communicate designs to development teams.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solutions

Our solutions are based on the OpenMFG core manufacturing system, a fully-integrated end-to-end ERP system for make-to-order, make-to-stock, and mixed-mode manufacturers. The OpenMFG software is a true client/server application, fully Internet-ready, with an enterprise-class relational database doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. (Here's more on the nuts and bolts of OpenMFG technology).
You can download the OpenMFG marketing brochure (PDF, 2 pages)
... and detailed information on features and functionality (PDF, 6 pages).
And yes, we publish our pricing.
OpenMFG, like most ERP applications, is organized by functional areas, or "modules." These modules (listed below) are highly interconnected and integrated, but you can customize which modules - even which individual tasks - each of your staff is authorized to use.
Manufacturing Modules
The Work Order module is the heart of OpenMFG’s manufacturing execution, and controls all orders, operations, and work centers on the shop floor. There are several stages of Work Orders, including Open, Exploded (materials requirements issued and operations created), Released to the floor, In Process, and Closed. Managers can control production schedules and priorities at all stages of the manufacturing process, and can track variances in material usage and labor with precision. You can also maintain and modify Production Bills of Materials and Bills of Operations for maximum flexibility.
Manufacturing Scheduling allow you to be proactive in managing your production and inventory levels. Your planners can build out your Master Production Schedule (MPS) with Production Plans and Forecasts, time-phased over standard calendars (absolute or relative) that you define. Use MRP to determine when to build assemblies, sub-assemblies, and order component parts - or, if your organization is more dynamic, use OpenMFG’s powerful Running Availability feature for up-to-the-minute insight across your operations.

Capacity Planning improves your production scheduling and utilization of labor and machinery by tracking activity at individual work centers over time. Identify bottlenecks and down time (by Item, by Work Center, or by Planner), and increase efficiency across the organization. New in version 2.0, the Buffer Management subsystem enables simplified Shop scheduling based on Lean and Theory of Constraints concepts.

Materials Management Modules
OpenMFG’s Product Definition module includes your Items, Bills of Materials, Bills of Operations (also known as Routings), and support for both Standard and Actual Costing. You have enormous flexibility in defining and describing your Items, including support for Aliases (what your customers or suppliers might call something), Substitutes, various types of Images suitable for online catalogs, pick lists, engineering diagrams, and more. There are Item Variants, with support for user-defined Options and Attributes, which allows you to build infinite variations on your standard finished goods. Bills of Materials, the basic definition of how a product is manufactured, can be as simple, or as complex, as you like (an infinite number of levels deep). And OpenMFG supports Breeder (or Inverse) Bills, which allow you to create Co-Products and By-Products from one source Item, and track variable cost absorptions and distribution variances across those elements as well.
OpenMFG has some of the most powerful Inventory Management features in its class. Each Item has a corresponding Item Site which determines order parameters, ABC class, lead time, and where and how the Item is located in various Warehouses. The system is fully multi-warehouse, and supports multiple Locations inside Warehouses - including the ability to define whether a Location is Netable for purposes of valuing Inventory, and the ability to define Quarantined or other Restrictive Locations. You can even define Warehouse Zones and Aisle/Rack/Bin/Location controls. During a Physical Inventory Count, you can freeze inventory quantities to minimize the impact on ongoing production. And of course, you have full lot and serial control, with detailed inventory transaction history.
The Shipping & Receiving module supports multiple carriers, user-customized forms and reports, and is fully integrated with Production, Inventory, Sales, Purchasing, and Financials. OpenMFG supports all leading barcode formats, including Code 3 of 9, Code 128, UPC, and EAN, and supports both tethered and wireless barcode reader solutions.
Looking for a simple way to track jobs? The Project Management module allows you to associate Quotes, Sales Orders, Work Orders, and Purchase Orders with a particular Project - and track progress and individual Tasks within the Project.
Read more about the Materials Management Modules.
Supply Chain Modules
Order entry in the Sales Order module is where it all begins. Sales reps have complete visibility into real-time inventory availability and the production schedule. You have the option of letting customer demand drive work order production directly (or purchase requests, in the case of purchased items). OpenMFG supports Quotes, which can be converted to actual Orders when firm, and multiple levels of tax codes which can be tailored to your customers’ local markets. The system also allows for a rich array of pricing options, by Customer, Groups, Types, and Categories - as well as special promotions and sales, and the ability to throttle customer buying power by credit rating.
The Customer Relationship Management module, new in version 2.0, adds more dimensions to the Customer picture - with a Universal Address Book that allows multiple Contacts and Addresses per Account, and allows Accounts to be Prospects, Customers, Vendors, Partners, even Competitors. Incident Management and To-Do List subsystems enable rich history and tracking of customer issues and communications.
OpenMFG’s Purchase Order module manages all your interaction with Vendors, including Purchase Requests, actual Purchase Orders, Vouchers, and Receipts. It’s fully integrated with the rest of the system in real time, so you can consolidate and optimize your purchasing procedures across the organization. Keep track of Vendor Performance on Rejected Materials, Delivery Date Variances, and Price Variances. Both Purchase Orders and Sales Invoices can be sent via email in any number of document formats.
Deep and rich historial sales data is available for detailed analysis across multiple time periods, using multiple variables. OpenMFG ships with over 200 standard Reports, including 30 in the Sales Analysis module. You can look at Sales History or Bookings (uninvoiced sales) by individual Customer, Customer Type, Customer Group, Bill-To, Ship-To, Item, Product Category, or Sales Rep. Look at Summarized Sales History over a particular time period, or define multiple periods using custom Calendars and Time-Phased reporting. All reports are fully customizable using the OpenRPT graphical report writer, included with the OpenMFG system.
Read more about the Supply Chain Modules.
Accounting Modules
The heart of any business system is financials, and OpenMFG features a powerful General Ledger, which is tightly integrated in real time with the other modules of the system. You have tremendous flexibility in defining your Chart of Accounts, with support for four Segments in Account Numbers, each of any length. You may define an unlimited number of Accounting Periods per year, and certain users have the option of posting into closed Periods.
OpenMFG supports Standard Journals and Standard Journal Groups, with Expiration and Effectivity Dates for simple Period-End Posting. Financial Reports are completely user-definable, and the system’s open architecture facilitates simple interfaces to third party applications such as spreadsheets, payroll, and fixed asset depreciation.
The Accounts Payable module supports User-Defined Check Formats, assigned on a Bank Account basis, and full Reconciliation capability. You have total control over your check runs, and can look at historical purchasing data, user-defined aging of open items, and time-phased cash requirements. The Accounts Receivable module allows for easy creation and posting of Invoices, management of Cash Receipts, Debit and Credit Memos, and time-phased cash projections and open receivables