Choose the Right Workflow Tools for Your Manufacturing Needs

From barcoding to serial number tracking, there’s no shortage of software solutions available to help manufacturers make the most out of their operations. Although many of these quality-of-life improvements can seamlessly transform any manufacturer into a top-flight organization, those tasked with improving existing workflows through automation, intelligent software integrations, and paperless solutions might not know where to begin when embarking on the journey towards a smart manufacturing operation.

Let’s take a look at how to maximize the impact of MES, WMS, Traceability, EDI, and other software for manufacturing to suit your specific needs:

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for Smart Manufacturing

A comprehensive MES gives manufacturers the ability to take greater control over their factory floor. From labor management to product quality, the right MES can help organizations oversee every action that impacts the creation of goods, making it easy to tweak outputs and improve productivity.

An MES helps managers address a wide range of manufacturing challenges. It adds value to a business in many ways, including:

• Easing management of raw materials
• Expanding scheduling capabilities
• Improving quality assurance processes
• Boosting throughput and uptime
• Reducing labor costs
• Improving machine utilization

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) for Warehouse Automation

In a fast-moving, logistically complex warehouse, each inch of space and every second counts. Not only can a WMS help manufacturers streamline common distribution center tasks, but powerful automation features can also greatly improve processes related to inventory management, task management, and order fulfillment.

A WMS improves a manufacturer’s inventory management by optimizing the use of floor space, easing material rotation, and increasing inventory visibility. It enhances task management by assessing skill levels, equipment, and tasks to optimize the task assignments. It also boosts labor utilization by using labor forecasting to assign tasks beforehand and by assigning tasks in real-time to the best-suited employees. Finally, a WMS improves order fulfillment by incorporating scanners, sensors, and barcoding to improve picking and packing tasks. This capability reduces bottlenecks, and it streamlines and speeds up shipping.

In a fast-moving, logistically complex warehouse, each inch of space and every second counts. Not only can a WMS help manufacturers streamline common distribution center tasks, but powerful automation features can also greatly improve processes related to inventory management, task management, and order fulfillment.

A WMS improves a manufacturer’s inventory management by optimizing the use of floor space, easing material rotation, and increasing inventory visibility. It enhances task management by assessing skill levels, equipment, and tasks to optimize the task assignments. It also boosts labor utilization by using labor forecasting to assign tasks beforehand and by assigning tasks in real-time to the best-suited employees. Finally, a WMS improves order fulfillment by incorporating scanners, sensors, and barcoding to improve picking and packing tasks. This capability reduces bottlenecks, and it streamlines and speeds up shipping.

Tracking & Tracing for Supply Chain Visibility

Many industries, like food manufacturing, have strict requirements on how goods are produced and distributed. Traceability software gives manufacturers the tools necessary to track, scan, label, and analyze raw materials and finished goods as they move throughout the supply chain. Whether used to comply with audits and product safety recalls or simply add an increased layer of visibility into the manufacturing workflow, traceability gives organizations greater insight into how specific products are being crafted.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for the Paperless Workplace

For decades, EDI has provided manufacturers with a powerful platform through which information can be readily exchanged. Able to replace email, phone calls, and other paper-based workflows, incorporating EDI solutions can empower manufacturers to weed out manual and repetitive tasks, streamline communications, and boost overall efficiency.

Manufacturers use EDI to exchange a wide variety of documents, depending on their operations. Basic documents include purchase orders (contains items ordered and pricing), functional acknowledgment (confirms the manufacturer’s receipt of the purchase order, enabling customers to resubmit a purchase order immediately if it was not received), purchase order acknowledgment (confirms the contents of the purchase order and acceptance of the order for fulfillment), and advanced shipping notice (notifies a customer that the order is being shipped, details the contents of the packages, and provides tracking numbers).

Taking the Next Step

Depending on your circumstance, any or all of these solutions may make the difference in transforming your manufacturing workflows into an intelligent, efficient operation. For more information on how ShopVue’s manufacturing solutions can transform your factory and warehouse operations, check out our full line of solutions and contact us for a free demo.