Efficiency is everything in metals manufacturing, and data could be the tool that unlocks that efficiency. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) not only brings all of that data together, but it also utilizes it to make operations faster, more accurate, and less wasteful.
If you run a plate processing center, an ERP system could be the game-changer that you need to drag your company into the data age.
The Data Silo Dilemma
Disconnected, independent data storage impacts your ability to use that data and can cause problems such as inaccurate reporting, quoting mistakes, and production delays.
Organizing your data by type or department (creating so-called “data silos”), impedes visibility by limiting access. You’re trying to see the whole picture, but essentially have little more than a jumble of disconnected jigsaw pieces in front of you.
For example, let’s say that you want to map the flow of a particular product from the moment you receive the raw materials, through to inventory, production, and sales. Every department plays a role, and you need data from each of them to create a flow. That data then needs to be defined, validated, and collated. It’s a long and laborious process.
By combining all of your data into a single source, there’s no need to go from silo to silo—it’s already right in front of you. And with a plate processing ERP solution, you’ll have clear visibility on each step, with real-time updates and collaboration providing updates you may have otherwise missed.
What is a Plate Processor ERP?
A plate processor ERP is advanced plate processing software that creates a central hub for your data and operations. Rather than operating from numerous disconnected data silos, everything is linked to a single source of information.
Effectively, it means everyone within your organization is singing from the same song sheet. It reduces miscommunication and the inaccuracies and bottlenecks that it can cause, and it makes it easier for high-level employees to find workflow insights.
ERP solutions are used across various industries, but RealSTEEL’s solutions were built with the steel and metal manufacturing sector in mind, including coil slitters, steel service centers, and pipe & tube processors.
Each RealSTEEL™ integration is completely customized—designed to suit your specific needs—and as we use scalable cloud-based solutions, there’s an entry point for organizations of all sizes and budgets.
Transforming Key Business Areas
A tailored and fully integrated plate processing ERP system can benefit all aspects of your business, including:
The Shop Floor
Metals manufacturing is fiercely competitive, and margins are slim, so success often depends on production efficiency.
Plate processing ERP software gathers real-time data from machines and operators to create a clear picture of the production process. It can highlight inefficiencies in workflow, ensure equipment and employees are fully utilized, provide real-time insights into profit margins, and generally speed up the production process.
RealSTEEL’s AMS Eclipse integration, for instance, automatically and instantly feeds orders into the production cycle, while capturing changes in shop floor activity.
The Front Office
As inventory information is available from a single source and not locked into a data silo, it’s available to sales and quoting teams. They can check current stock levels, see costing data, and improve the sales process for them, the customer, and the organization as a whole.
RealSTEEL’s inventory management tracks all inventory in real-time, eliminating the need for manual checks while also accounting for material specifics such as quality, weight, and size.
The Finance Department
The flexible accounting systems built into advanced ERP software automate many laborious daily tasks, including invoicing, quoting, and tracking orders.
Document data is captured and stored electronically, making it easier to organize and track, and finance teams are given a complete overview of income and expenditures. They can see how much the company is making from a particular product or product line, check the expenses (including material and labor costs), and then find ways to reduce costs and increase margins.
More importantly, all automated processes are backed by intelligent AI that learns as it works, improving with each imported document or automated invoice.
Customer Relations
The benefits of ERP aren’t limited to internal processes and also extend to customer relationship management (CRM).
A CRM integration connects what the customer sees (marketing and sales) with what the company sees (inventory and production) to enhance communication and collaboration while ultimately improving the customer experience.
Customers receive more personalized interactions, and sales teams can automate time-consuming processes like refunds/returns and order queries while utilizing customer data to create cross-selling and upselling opportunities.
The Power of a Single Source of Truth
One software; one source of information—this is a core tenet of ERP systems and something that can transform any plate processing center. By integrating various programs and features—including plate processing software, multi-line processing software, and coil processing software—it becomes an all-encompassing solution for managing every facet of the business and ensuring that data is properly gathered and fully utilized.
Conclusion: Choose RealSTEEL™ for Advanced Plate Processor ERP Solutions
Whether it’s reducing bottlenecks on the shop floor, organizing your finances, or keeping your customers happy, a plate processor ERP system can change how you store and use data and revolutionize your business operations.
ERP is not simply a tool to integrate automation or connect company-wide data; it’s a foundational technology that promotes sustainable growth.
To learn more about what ERP can do for your business, contact us and request a demo. Our affordable cloud-based solutions were designed for steel and metal manufacturers, and they are fully flexible and scalable—simply choose the integrations you need right now and then upgrade if the situation changes in the future.
