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iTTG > Industry Solutions > Metal & Plastic Manufacturing Industry
Manufacturers in the machinery and factory automation industry grapple with varies challenges such as rapid technological advancements demand continuous investment in new machinery and automation technologies, along with upskilling employees. In additional, global supply chains introduce complexities, including delays and quality control issues. Managing these complexities is vital for efficiency and profitability.
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Key Industry Challenges for the Industry
Ineffective Customer Interaction and Quality Management
Inadequately managing customer inquiries and complaints can lead to decreased customer satisfaction and loyalty, negatively impacting brand reputation and long-term revenue potential.
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Challenges with Diverse Manufacturing Methods
Inability to effectively manage different manufacturing methods, for mold and molding production, can cause production inefficiencies, increased waste, and higher costs, leading to decreased operational flexibility and market responsiveness.
Inefficient Sheet Metal Fabrication and Inventory Optimization: Poor management of sheet metal dimensions and stock can lead to material wastage, increased costs, and inefficiencies in production processes.
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Difficult to Capture Production Cost
Accurately determining production costs in Metal & Plastic factories is challenging due to fluctuating raw material prices, varied labor costs, and complex manufacturing processes. Overhead allocation, mold and tool depreciation, and unexpected production issues further blur cost clarity. Advanced systems are vital for precise cost tracking and maintaining competitive pricing strategies.
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Scheduling and Machine Optimization Issues
The need to efficiently schedule and optimize the usage of CNC, injection machines, especially when multiple job orders compete for the same resources, presents a crucial operational challenge. This issue is pivotal to avoiding bottlenecks and ensuring timely production.
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Rapid Response to Production Changes
The Metal & Plastic industry's demand for short production lead times necessitates a system capable of quickly communicating changes and issues between the shop floor and production planning. The transition from traditional paper-based operations to more agile digital solutions is hindered by resistance to change and the challenges of implementing new technologies.
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Procurement and Supply Chain Constraints
Material procurement is a critical challenge that affects production efficiency, cost control, and profitability. Precision in procurement and supply chain management is hampered by market variability and logistical complexities.
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Mold Management and Quality Concerns
Ensuring the quality and maintenance of molds is a significant pain point. Effective management is essential, yet challenges in maintaining, storing, and procuring high-quality molds directly impact product quality and operational efficiency.
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Lack of Real-Time Product Cost Monitoring
Without real-time monitoring and control of product costs, companies may face reduced profit margins, inability to make informed pricing decisions, and challenges in responding to market price pressures.
Epicor Features for the Industry
Epicor Project Management
The Epicor Project Management function offers substantial advantages to Metal & Plastic factories by enhancing project organization, resource allocation, and cost control. Utilizing Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) or Milestones, it enables precise task allocation and progress tracking, ensuring efficient project execution. This structured approach aids in managing resources effectively, adhering to budgets, and preventing cost overruns. Additionally, close monitoring of costs at various project stages facilitates financial oversight, contributing to improved profitability. Integration with Microsoft Office Project enhances collaboration and adaptability, further optimizing project management processes. Overall, Epicor Project Management streamlines operations, leading to enhanced efficiency and profitability for Metal & Plastic factories.
Epicor Mold & Tooling Management
The Epicor Mold Lifecycle Management function stands as a transformative tool for Metal & Plastic factories, ensuring unparalleled efficiency and product quality. By meticulously tracking mold usage linked to specific operations, factories can automatically update mold status with each production quantity reported, enabling proactive maintenance scheduling and timely replacements. This strategic oversight minimizes the risk of production delays and defects associated with mold wear or failure, directly enhancing operational uptime and product reliability. Ultimately, this leads to reduced customer complaints or penalties, fostering stronger client relationships and bolstering the factory's reputation for excellence in a competitive market.
Epicor CRM
The Epicor Customer Relationship Management (CRM) function offers significant benefits to Metal & Plastic factories by streamlining customer interactions and optimizing sales processes. By effectively managing leads and opportunities, the CRM facilitates targeted marketing campaigns, improving customer acquisition. Sales personnel can efficiently track prospects through various sales stages, ensuring seamless transitions from initial contact to final order. Features like workflow automation and forecasting enhance sales territory management and enable accurate sales forecasts. With comprehensive insights and analytics, the CRM empowers informed decision-making, driving revenue growth and fostering long-term customer relationships. Overall, it enhances efficiency, boosts sales performance, and strengthens customer engagement for Metal & Plastic factories.
Epicor Job Management
The Epicor Job Management function offers substantial benefits to Metal & Plastic factories by streamlining manufacturing processes. It efficiently gathers data from various sources to create job records and define production schedules. With tools like the Job Manager and Planning Workbench, supervisors can effectively manage job creation and resource allocation. Labor costs are accurately tracked, and real-time status updates are provided through the Job Tracker. Key reports aid in job supervision, ensuring smooth operations from start to finish. Ultimately, Epicor Job Management enhances productivity, reduces errors, and improves overall efficiency in Metal & Plastic factories, leading to increased profitability and customer satisfaction.
Epicor Maintenance Management
The Epicor Maintenance Management function provides substantial benefits to Metal & Plastic factories by enhancing equipment reliability and optimizing maintenance processes. By tracking maintenance requests and scheduling preventative tasks for equipment like CNC machines downtime is minimized, ensuring continuous production. The module allows for efficient management of capital equipment, tools, and fixtures, including air conditioning units and forklifts, critical for smooth operations. With predefined schedules and meter readings, maintenance tasks are performed promptly, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Overall, Epicor Maintenance Management empowers Metal & Plastic factories to maintain equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and optimize production efficiency, ensuring sustained operational excellence.
Epicor APS
The Epicor Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) function offers significant advantages to Metal & Plastic factories by optimizing production planning and scheduling. By considering variables such as job quantities, setup times, and resource capacities, APS facilitates precise scheduling and forecasting of job completions. Its visual boards and What If Scheduling tool enable proactive adjustments, ensuring efficient resource allocation and preventing production bottlenecks. This results in streamlined operations, improved efficiency, and reduced lead times. Additionally, analytical reports provide critical insights into resource utilization and job prioritization, empowering decision-makers to enhance scheduling strategies. Ultimately, APS enhances agility, responsiveness, and productivity in Metal & Plastic manufacturing, driving customer satisfaction.
Epicor Mobile Warehouse
Epicor Mobile Warehouse brings notable advantages to Metal & Plastic factories by modernizing and refining warehouse management. This solution grants real-time access to inventory data, enabling seamless material tracking and warehouse operations via mobile devices. Barcode scanning ensures accuracy and efficiency, minimizing errors in material handling and order processing. Swift inventory updates, order picking, and shipping enhance productivity and order fulfillment speed. Enhanced visibility into inventory levels aids in better demand forecasting and inventory control. Overall, Epicor Mobile Warehouse empowers Metal & Plastic factories to operate with heightened efficiency, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction, ensuring seamless warehouse management in a dynamic environment.
Epicor MES
The Epicor Manufacturing Execution System (MES) function offers substantial benefits to Metal & Plastic factories by providing real-time monitoring and control over production processes. Integration with MES enables tracking of manufacturing orders, monitoring machine performance, and ensuring quality standards throughout production cycles. This enhances operational efficiency by minimizing downtime, reducing waste, and optimizing resource utilization. Additionally, MES supports data-driven decision-making, allowing managers to identify bottlenecks, improve production schedules, and adjust workflows promptly. Moreover, it facilitates compliance with industry standards and enhances traceability, ensuring all products meet required specifications. Ultimately, Epicor MES empowers Metal & Plastic factories to achieve higher productivity, improved quality, and increased competitiveness in the market.
Epicor Time Management
The Epicor Time Management function offers significant benefits to Metal & Plastic factories by streamlining labor tracking and management processes. Employees, managers, and supervisors can efficiently enter, approve, and correct time transactions, ensuring accurate recording of labor hours. With daily or weekly submission options, employees can easily submit their hours for approval, while authorized approvers can review and manage time entries promptly. This capability enhances payroll accuracy and compliance with labor regulations. Additionally, reports generated from the Time Management module provide valuable insights into employee work hours and utilization, enabling effective workforce management and optimization of production schedules in Metal & Plastic factories.
Epicor Real Time Costing
Epicor Real-Time Costing offers substantial advantages to Metal & Plastic factories by providing immediate visibility into manufacturing expenses. This system allows real-time tracking and analysis of costs associated with raw materials, labor, and overheads, enabling accurate financial reporting and informed decision-making. With precise insights, managers can optimize production efficiency, reduce waste, and adjust pricing strategies accordingly. By proactively managing costs, Metal & Plastic factories can identify profitability challenges early and make swift adjustments to enhance competitiveness and overall profitability. Ultimately, Epicor Real-Time Costing empowers these factories to operate with heightened efficiency and financial transparency, ensuring long-term success in a dynamic market.
Mold Maintenance
Scheduling Board
Mobile Warehouse
