A recent online exclusive by the Association for Manufacturing Excellence cites a “top 10” list for manufacturing trends in 2012. Based on predictions by IDC Manufacturing Insights, a business line of the global market intelligence firm IDC, the list contains several trends that focus on speed.
In particular, one trend was about clock-speed alignment of the supply and demand sides of the supply chain. According to the report, the supply and demand sides of supply chains function at different speeds, with the demand side operating faster than the supply side. To align them, different manufacturing chains will respond accordingly:
- Brand-oriented manufacturers will look to improve inventory management and demand signal utilization to synchronize.
- Technology-oriented manufacturers will seek faster planning and supply side responsiveness.
- Engineering-oriented manufacturers will look for more agile supply networks and comprehensive risk management capabilities.
This trend is followed by another centered on speed: the requirement for speed and the ubiquity of information creates a new landscape for IT support of the supply chain. According to Simon Ellis, practice director of supply chain strategies for IDC Manufacturing Insights, IT will be expected to deliver faster, more nimble capabilities and tools to the manufacturing business.
Epicor believes that SaaS-based IT solutions will be a growing part of meeting these expectations. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has quickly become a compelling and credible delivery model for business applications. SaaS ERP and SaaS Retail, often referred to as cloud software, eliminate many of the barriers that keep companies from implementing or upgrading their business software. Importantly, it enables them to focus on their core business operations instead of managing IT.
Epicor has been a long-term provider of value-added applications offered via the SaaS model to enhance the investment customers have made in on-premise ERP, retail, or HCM solutions. The SaaS or cloud delivery model is designed to help customers reduce complexity, decrease ongoing operational costs, and (in regards to speed), get up and running quickly. That’s increasingly important as manufacturing looks ahead.
Posted by the Epicor Social Media Team
