One of the leading tasks for ERP platforms has been to ensure a company’s products meet all quality control standards before being sent to customers in the field.
But as an increasing number of corporations make more, and more complex and customizable products demanded by the market, they often find that their legacy software platforms for Enterprise Resource Planning — designed to integrate an organization’s main business processes — are no longer up to the job.
Frequently, the older software systems were programmed to emphasize consistency. But today’s newer systems incorporate advanced analytics and artificial intelligence technologies in the quality control process.
The systems have become more attuned to the highly-customized approach of current manufacturing processes. They must automatically learn how to deal with more complex products and resolve multiple issues that can each delay a process and eat into earnings.
Managing Multiple Platforms
Some manufacturers are forced to juggle multiple systems to stay on top of challenges in production such as shop floor control or track-and-trace visibility within the supply chain. So they often look for more from their ERP platforms – for example, allowing a short-notice production run.
The latest ERP systems manage data effectively so they can optimize production runs across multiple metrics. They also are adaptable and able either to incorporate or run alongside software used by other firms.
Managers must also consider increased time pressures in the production process. The window from design to manufacture is shrinking all the time, but quality control must stay consistent.
New Ways to Test
The latest ERP technology can handle these demands using Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, or FMEAOpens a new window : New products are tested against a digital twin due to a lack of sufficient time for a more thorough analysis.
Quality management demands require the next generation of ERP systems to rely on data inputs that go beyond scrap rates. Manufacturers need to catch quality issues on the factory floor and stay abreast of issues with raw materials and components coming into the process.
Leading the way are companies that use metallurgical components – as in aerospace manufacturing, where there is zero margin for error – but similar processes ought to be applied to the plastics sector.
Artificial intelligence and the Internet of ThingsOpens a new window are predicted to play a more significant role in the quality control process of the future: Connected devices will likely channel reams of additional data back into the production process, while AI can help ERP systems gain new insights that will improve quality by detecting issues far earlier than currently possible.
Key takeaways:
- The entire process of quality control within manufacturing is being revolutionized by the next generation of ERP software platforms.
- More sophisticated products combined with intense time pressures mean that ERP systems need to step up with more dynamic and insightful quality control processes.
- Beyond this, breakthroughs with AI research and the implementation of IoT or connected technology means that ERP systems increasingly are able to incorporate a greater level of product data and insights into quality control.
- A more granular approach to product analysis including raw materials should translate into more efficient quality control in the near future.