By Andrew Hall on 3/8/2010 8:32 AM

In today’s global economy, corporations must find ways to balance supply and demand not only across sites, but across the entire supply chain. QAD’s Enterprise Operations Planning has the functionality to do just this. QAD’s EOP uses actual Forecast, Sales, Production, and Inventory data to calculate a plan to support pre-defined target inventory levels and centralize the production planning and purchasing activities into a global Master Scheduling function.

The Enterprise Operations Plan module has the following utilities and functions:

• Demand import and consolidation from multiple sites and databases
(including external data sources)
• Integration with Resource Planning
• Planning at family and/or end-item levels
• Weeks of Coverage by effective date for Target Inventory Planning
• Source Matrix by effective date for supply and demand relationships between sites
• Allocation of production de ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 3/5/2010 8:56 AM

One of the most frustrating issues facing manufacturing companies is inventory inaccuracy. Inventory accuracy is a critical input to executing a successful supply planning process. A simple yet effect method for improving inventory accuracy is to implement the point of use (POU) inventory concept. POU creates a clear distinction in ownership between the storage warehouse and the production floor. Operations that do not have this separation in place often find it difficult to determine the root cause of inventory problems and instead of a solution, end up with finger pointing and reoccurrences of the problems. While this concept can be used with other manufacturing methods, the QAD Advanced Repetitive Manufacturing module makes utilizing POU a no-brainer.

Once POU is properly implemented and executed it will not be long before the effort starts to pay off. Below are just a few of the benefits that can be realized immediately:
• Clear definition between warehouse/storag ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 3/3/2010 7:04 AM

We are working with a real estate services firm that has implemented an ERP backbone in Europe. They have done a thorough job of standardizing and documenting their processes and procedures, knowing that they will be acquiring and absorbing other similar companies in the future to foster growth. As we prepare to help them roll out a U.S. division onto the same ERP backbone and process model, the foresight in defining and implementing a standardized process model, which is actually in use, has drastically reduced the expected time required for subsequent rollouts.
Time savings in the U.S. will be in the upfront design, which is already complete based on a previously implemented model in Europe. Additionally, previously prepared procedure and end user training documentation will be heavily leveraged. Although seemingly a required step in any implementation, preparation of these design standards with an eye toward future rollouts will improve the quality of the design documentation and add future va ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 3/1/2010 9:22 AM

We recently worked with a company that has grown through acquisitions over the years and now has three distinct companies under one corporate umbrella. It runs each company on a separate QAD database. This company thinks it will continue to use its existing QAD ERP backbone for most core functions. However, one of its divisions is not using QAD financials and therefore struggling to get itself to a position where it can easily consolidate financials under one Chart of Accounts and system.
Management has been hesitant to make this migration because the company has not developed a Strategic IT Plan and has not confirmed a mid to long range systems footprint. Without this footprint and Strategic IT Plan, users and management are hesitant to make tactical decisions that could allow for more efficiencies in the near and long term. Unfortunately, many companies see the effort in developing a Strategic IT Plan as significant and onerous. However, the effort to gain management consensus and document the fo ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 2/26/2010 7:31 AM

In today’s competitive and high pace work force there is much pressure to cut cost and increase productivity across all industries. We find ourselves struggling however with a constant feeling of stress and work overload. Because of this we tend to focus our aggression towards excuses of lack of resources and increased workload. Is it really though?
In the IT world we also feel a similar downward spiral of pressure to keep the business afloat with the latest technologies and real time data to perform at this pace. While often underappreciated it is none the less a much needed piece of your business.
With the constant need of system enhancements to provide the business with the information to succeed it is easy to get lost in a department of chaos. Much like sound business processes can aid you in efficiently cutting cost and managing best business practices, having strong IT processes will do the same for your IT department.
It really takes us back to the basics….. ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 2/25/2010 9:20 AM

During the CAUG and QAD Teamwork meetings this past week, I came away quite excited about the new Master Scheduling and Production Scheduling workbenches that will be released later this year for both SE and EE running the .NET interface. These workbenches will offer intuitive, visual drag and drop features that I believe planners will find very impressive. Additionally, the workbench will incorporate component availability checks, ensuring that the schedule is achievable from both a material and capacity standpoint. Any QAD user that is currently scheduling using offline tools (Excel, Access, etc.), should assess these workbenches as soon as they become available as they should have a positive impact in any planning environment.

By Andrew Hall on 2/18/2010 8:27 AM

EDI is an ever changing means of B2B communication. Staying on top of it can often be a challenging task in itself let alone implementing it from scratch. Customers and Suppliers are constantly changing their specifications as their business practices or needs change. With a history of maintaining EDI solutions in the Automotive Industry I can contest to the demand of the time sensitivity to these changes as well.

QAD’s EDI Ecommerce Module has proven to be an exceptional tool to aid in the effective and efficient transmission of EDI documents when implemented properly. In addition to the tools you use a solid error resolution process and document tracking methodology should be leveraged. Transmitting EDI is easy…resolving EDI transaction issues in a timely manner is whole other story. In industries where the timeliness and accuracy of the documents being sent hold such implications as expensive fines, low ratings, or even the possible loss of business partner or customer; a bes ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 2/16/2010 3:49 PM

The automation of bad processes will actually set back your organization. While there may be some financial improvements, typically they are short lived and same old way of doing business prevails. In both the short and long term, you will more than likely automate and speed up a poor business model. Fundamentally, sound and well designed business processes coupled with an effective software implementation will position your organization for long term success. The next steps – following, maintaining and updating these “well designed” business processes will contribute your organization’s success and improve results. Drifting away from the processes may have damaging results.

A QAD ERP software implementation, in particular a new implementation which evolves from antiquated and cumbersome legacy systems, offers companies the opportunity to take a fresh look at their business process and where possible – improve them significantly. It also puts the business process and its’ design in ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 2/12/2010 7:58 AM

While it is generally recommended to utilize as much as possible the “best practices” employed in the QAD Enterprise ERP package, more often than not this is not possible. Most companies have proven and successful business processes or key reports that just are not addressed with standard QAD but can be incorporated into the overall package in a cost effective manner. This opens the door for customization and report modifications – a process that must be completed in both a cost effective and efficient manner. Tight functional specs and testing by savvy personnel ensure a smoother process from beginning to end.

The development methodology for developing Functional Specifications & Testing typically follows this path:

1. Define User Requirements – resulting in documented and approved Functional Spec for management’s approval. The due diligence in the definition stage should include the following:
• Business Reason – “Why”
• Assumpt ... Read More »

By Andrew Hall on 2/11/2010 9:26 AM

When presented with a project that reaches outside the borders of the US, there are many factors to consider beyond the obvious language differences. There are local regulations, requirements, standards and customs that should be taken into consideration before you begin. It is also important to consider the impact that cultural differences will play. Typical methods of documentation and training that work in some countries might not work as effectively in another.
I recently spent a few months at a client in Mexico. They were struggling with using QAD’s Kanban module, so the goal was to help them use it more effectively. After a few weeks of one on one training and giving them more helpful documentation, the results were lagging and it became very clear that this standard approach wasn’t reaching them effectively.
One issue, of course, was the language barrier. It took much more effort on my part to get them to open up about the issues they were having and the areas where they didn ... Read More »