Your current software could be holding you back. Technology moves at an incredible pace, and if your software can’t keep track, you’re missing out on developments that could save you time and money.
If your outdated steel software is holding you back, it’s time for a change, and these are the two main tips to consider when implementing such a change.
Learn Where Your Current Software Falls Short
The first thing you need to do is figure out where your current software is failing you. This is your baseline, and you can use it to customize a new software solution to your specific requirements.
Calculate your average scrap and yield rates and highlight any specific areas where your current system fails, as well as features that it lacks.
Map Your Workflows
Map out every step of your production process, from designing to order adjustments and processing. You’re looking for areas where information slows or experiences unnecessary delays, as well as key performance indicators that you can measure against a future implementation.
Once you have a clearer picture of your current workflow, you’ll know how much difference an updated system is making when it’s eventually implemented.
Clean Your Data
It’s always wise to conduct a thorough data cleaning and auditing when migrating to a new ERP system. It should reduce delays, errors, and failures, facilitating a smooth transition and ensuring you’re ready to go from day one.
Remove duplicate customer and vendor profiles; retire old accounts, inventory, work orders, and anything else you no longer need; and confirm the accuracy of open sales and purchase orders. You may also need to standardize data formats to match the new system.
Consider Your Integrations
At RealSTEEL™, we offer a range of integrations and features tailored to companies within the steel and metals sector. Whether it’s metal framing, plate processing, coil processing, or metal fabrication, we can help you create the ideal custom setup.
Some of our key features include:
- Flexible Finance: Complete control over budgeting and accounting, with accurate job costings, visibility on product profitability, document management, and business intelligence reporting.
- Transparent Production: Production software that incorporates features of multi-line processing software, coil processing software, and metal fabrication software—a complete solution for the production floor.
- Inventory Management: Manage and optimize your entire inventory in real-time, with tracking that accounts for various attributes and automated data collection to reduce mistakes and improve efficiency.
- Purchasing Features: Send quotes, view messages, create invoices, manage purchase orders, and set up credit memos, all in the same place.
- Warehouse Management: Maximize your warehouse space, improve bin setup, and implement best practices for inbound/outbound processing to reduce errors.
Is it a Good Time to Update Your Software?
Ask yourself questions such as:
- Will a customized software solution such as RealSTEEL™ make you more efficient and profitable?
- Will it benefit your clients and employees?
- Are there any serious costs or complications involved with the onboarding process?
- Will it speed up essential processes, reduce mistakes, and improve things for your employees and customers?
If you’re answering in the positive to all of these questions, it’s definitely time to switch.
Plan a Phased Rollout
A careful, phased operation will prevent any disasters if the new software doesn’t work or experiences a glitch. At RealSTEEL™, we work with you to steadily and successfully implement the technology, avoiding such disasters and making sure you’re fully aware of what the system does and your employees know how to use it.
Stage One: Plan the Setup
The first step is to set up the basic functions, including inventory tracking, finance management, and purchasing. These are the functions you’ll need from day one, and the ones on which your daily operations rely.
During the setup phase, you’ll also confirm the specific integrations and features you need, ensuring you get a software solution that is tailored toward your business.
Stage Two: Integrate the Software
Integrating the software can be a lengthy process, but it doesn’t need to be. At RealSTEEL™, we use a cloud-based ERP built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. It connects seamlessly with various office tools and ensures data runs smoothly between all key departments and processes, facilitating a faster and more fluid integration process.
Stage Three: Test and Optimize
Finally, you need to test, use, and optimize your new software. You can run it alongside your old system to ensure that everything matches up and that quotes, orders, and processes are running as they should.
Standardize your workflows, and assign super-users across various departments. These users will lead training, oversee the system’s use, and address any concerns that users have within that department.
Step Four: Get Support When You Need It
New software, particularly ERP systems, comes with ongoing support. If anything fails, you need advice, or you want to make some tweaks or changes, you’ll have an experienced team on hand to help. You’ll also be learning more about the software as you go and can develop your own team.
Either way, if you notice any issues with the software or find areas that could be optimized, deal with it immediately. These issues have a habit of mounting up, and the longer you ignore them, the greater the problem will become.
Upgrade Your Outdated Steel Software with RealSTEEL™
Now you know how to update your old software; it’s time to take the next step. We developed RealSTEEL™ with help from industry experts. We wanted to create an ERP system that wasn’t just inclusive of steel fabricators and steel service centers, but was built specifically for them.
You can get all the features you need and none of the ones you don’t, saving you money while allowing for easy integrations as your business grows.
To learn more about RealSTEEL™, contact us today or request a demo.
