Diligent inventory systems, streamlined production, and methodical quality control are critical for the success of every pipe and tube processor. However, these departments are often disconnected, creating obstacles and bottlenecks that needlessly introduce issues and slow down your business.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are the glue that brings everything together—a single source of truth that provides real-time visibility and ensures issues are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
If you want to optimize your pipe and tube processing business, you need an ERP, but what exactly does it do, which option is best, and what sort of features should you be looking for?
What are ERP Solutions for Pipe and Tube Processors?
ERP solutions are advanced software systems that integrate various features and processes into a single platform.
These systems have been used across the manufacturing sector for decades and are now commonplace across numerous industries, but with the advent of cloud computing and rapid advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, modern systems are considerably more advanced than the ones that powered industry in the early 2000s.
Every department and process connects to a single hub, so that staff can track everything from the quality and quantity of raw tubes and coils in their inventory to the speed of production and the cost of labor.
The Limitations of Traditional Methods
Traditional methods work, but in a sector where competition is fierce and margins are slim, optimization is key. For example, if you’re still using Excel spreadsheets and old-school scheduling tools, someone has to go through that data and update it manually, and the fiddly nature of these tools means they’re prone to costly mistakes and oversights.
Similarly, if you’re running several different programs across multiple departments, there is no synergy and no communication. One team doesn’t know what the other is doing.
Even if you’re already running an ERP system, it may be outdated or unsuited to your specific industry. General ERP systems can connect your organization and simplify certain processes, but they lack the complexity needed for specific tasks, as well as the technologies that support automation.
What to Look for in a Pipe and Tube Processing ERP
The first thing to focus on is industry-specific functionality. Was the ERP system designed for general manufacturing, or was it actually tailored to pipe and tube processing?
RealSTEEL™, for example, was developed with the steel and metal fabrication sector in mind, with highly specific customizations designed around your production needs. You can strengthen inventory control, streamline sales quoting, process invoices, and see your entire production cycle in real time.
Scalability is equally important. You shouldn’t be paying over the odds for integrations that you don’t need, even if you may need them in the future. RealSTEEL™ is a completely scalable, cloud-based ERP solution built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. You choose what integrations you need now, and then add more as those needs increase.
Rather than paying over budget for a wide range of unnecessary features, you get exactly what you need and remain within budget, with the ERP system growing alongside your business.
Key Features of ERP for Pipe and Tube Processing
Some of the key features of pipe and tube processing ERP systems include:
- Sales and order processing integrations that can generate fast and accurate quotes, with support for all applicable languages and currencies.
- Shipping support to manage and track orders.
- Real-time inventory management systems to track every raw material currently in stock, while accounting for attributes such as dimensions and quality.
- Production optimization tools to monitor the current state of machinery, prevent bottlenecks, and optimize.
- Margin analysis to see gross yields in real time and find ways to reduce waste and increase profit margins.
- Detailed reporting tools that provide analytics on everything from materials and production to sales and quality control.
RealSTEEL™ offers all of these integrations and more. Read through our features page to discover why so many companies in the steel and metals sector choose RealSTEEL™ ERP.
Upgrade Your Business with a Customer ERP Solution from RealSTEEL™
Struggling to optimize your business? Tired of outdated systems or labor-intensive processes? Choose a modern ERP solution built for companies just like yours. You don’t need a big budget, and there are no costly servers or setup costs. Contact us today to arrange for a demo of RealSTEEL™ and discover what it can do for your business.
