Updated · Originally published
Here in Michigan we are experiencing the dip in temperature that gets us thinking about the impending blast of winter. For most of us that means buying a new hat or gloves and making sure our kids have winter boots before the swimsuits hit the rack in January.
So I hit the store. As I was shopping for my new hat and gloves, I read the tag and it said “One Size Fits All”. It got me thinking about and how the one size fits all approach doesn’t work. You might say, “So what’s the big deal?”
The thing is, if you are an automotive supplier, and are looking for an answer for your unique automotive requirements the “one size fits all” approach doesn’t meet all your needs. It, like the hat or gloves, becomes the “almost works for most” solution. We are saying don’t settle for an application that only fits typical ERP requirements. If you’re an automotive supplier “almost” can result in huge costs or loss of contracts.
Why are you different?
Keep in mind that an automotive supplier is and has always been a unique type of manufacturer, whose overall success is built by their reputation in schedule adherence, quality, and a variety of other automotive requirements. Some requirements are unique to the automotive manufacturing niche, others are industry standard, but the combination of ALL requirements raises the bar for features needed to address your issues.
Differentiators
You are faced with audits and issues that many manufacturers do not have. You are comfortable in the world of . As a fabricator you are likely stamping, molding, machining or providing a combination of parts that require all three manufacturing processes to your Tier 1, Tier 2 or OEM customer.
Your automotive industry was living supply chain management before the rest of manufacturing discovered it. You are workflow based, not job cost based. You are not vertically integrated, requiring outside processing for heat treating, painting, coating and a variety of other secondary processes. You excel in your core fabrication competency and scheduling. The penalties for failure in any of the above planning, quality, and manufacturing areas are severe.
Simply put, keep your uniqueness in mind when you are investigating and managing risk; while that one-size-fits-all hat or gloves may almost fit, “almost” is dangerous to business in your unique niche.
If you are an automotive supplier and are interested in reviewing your ERP requirements, contact us here at AIM Computer solutions, Inc. We are a Michigan-based Microsoft Gold Certified ISV Partner with ERP and SCM solutions that are certified for Microsoft Dynamics.
by Aim Computer Solutions -
I agree that Automotive is unique. All companies are unique and you've done a good job identifying what makes the automotive industry unique. It isn't the "corporate" aspects of an ERP that are unique; it is the Operation of the industry/company that stretch the boundaries of one size fits all.
ERP's should not be running Operations. They should be the scorekeeper and not the coach or player. Enterprise Apps snap on to any ERP and allow Operations to unleash the competitive advantage of each company.