Craig Scott
Founder and CEO of MFGx, the Creator of Fuuz
Pairing Sophisticated ERPs with MES: Scaling to New Heights with Fuuz®
For most manufacturers, enterprise resource planning (ERP) system adoption is not a question of if but when. Our industry accounts for 43% of all ERP users, and more manufacturers are turning to enterprise software solutions every day to unlock efficiencies, reduce operating costs, gain a cost advantage and, most important, access real-time data that enables better decision-making.
These benefits seem great – and they are – but it’s important to recognize that ERP is only part of the digital transformation puzzle for manufacturers. ERP generates the line of business data you need to make strategic decisions, but it wasn’t designed to give you granular insight into or control over the factory floor. If ERP is the “why” for making business decisions, then manufacturing execution system (MES) software is the “how.”
It’s also important to note that not all ERP solutions are created equal and that striking the right strategic balance between MES and ERP can dramatically enhance manufacturing operations. As a leading MES platform, Fuuz provides unique insights into this intriguing synergy that we’ll discuss in this blog post.
What’s the Difference Between MES and ERP? (It’s a Big Deal!)
ERP systems are the backbone of an organization and are responsible for integrating multiple business functions like procurement, finance, sales and supply chain. They’re especially vital for planning, providing an overview of business processes and facilitating informed decision-making.
That said, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all ERP. More sophisticated ERPs (think NetSuite, SAP, Oracle and Microsoft) distinctly outshine their more basic counterparts. These high-caliber ERPs concentrate on their core competency: delivering robust financial and planning functions. Their scalability, rich functionality and advanced analytical capabilities make them indispensable in complex business environments.
But here’s the catch: Even the most robust ERP system wasn’t designed to handle the vast volumes and granularity of real-time data generated on the manufacturing shop floor. They often stumble in the face of higher transaction volumes that are standard in manufacturing operations.
The core function of MES, on the other hand, is to manage, monitor and synchronize the execution of real-time, physical processes involved in transforming raw materials into intermediate and/or finished goods, per Gartner. MES goes a step further than ERP to give you complete control over work orders with production scheduling, traceability and genealogy.
In short, MES was built for your production environment while ERP was designed for procurement and other office functions. The real magic happens when you utilize both as separate – yet integrated – solutions.
Fuuz MES Provides Critical Functionality for the Factory Floor
Fuuz MES specializes in the management of real-time manufacturing operations and steps in to handle the data-intensive shop floor processes. It provides critical features like traceability, genealogy, and finite scheduling, or advanced planning and scheduling (APS), to deliver a depth of detail and control beyond the reach of ERP systems.
At Fuuz, our core competency lies in seamlessly managing everything beyond front-office functions. Our platform thrives in simple-to-highly-complex manufacturing environments, handling multiple locations, addressing global/localization needs and much more.
ERP + Fuuz MES = A Robust Manufacturing Combination You’ll Never Outgrow
ERP and MES are both natural stepping stones for companies as they grow, with 53% of manufacturers having already fully implemented MES. The rest are in various stages of development (or haven’t even started!) and it’s critical that modern manufacturers choose a solution that will grow with them. That’s Fuuz MES, which has pre-built connectors for all ERPs and can support organizations using a variety of ERPs across different locations.
What sets Fuuz apart is our unique combination of MES and Warehouse Management System (WMS) capabilities, along with an integrated platform-as-a-service (iPaaS). Fuuz supports license plating, inventory movements and visibility while interpreting manufacturing data for effective decision-making.
With its iPaaS capabilities, Fuuz smoothly integrates with other systems, including high-end ERPs, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Product Data Management (PDM), Human Capital Management (HCM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and more.
The result? A consolidated data ecosystem that streamlines data delivery in real-time, supporting stakeholders at every stage of the decision-making process.
By strategically pairing sophisticated ERPs with Fuuz MES, businesses can manage high transaction volumes, gain unparalleled insight into manufacturing processes, and enjoy superior flexibility and scalability. This perfect blend of systems enhances efficiency, facilitates informed decisions and propels sustainable growth.
Stay connected with our Fuuz blog to learn more about our journey in revolutionizing manufacturing execution. The future of manufacturing is here – and it’s powered by Fuuz!
