As a Microsoft Dynamics GP reseller with a large manufacturing customer base, I was excited to see that the Technology Evaluation Center (TEC) has evaluated and certified GP for discrete manufacturing for the enterprise software market. The TEC is a leading advocate for the enterprise software purchaser. They specialize in the impartial evaluation of the software selection process. The TEC has a plethora of information on software and vendors that can help prospects in determining which package is right for their company. Of course, the TEC is not a replacement for a trusted value added reseller, such as me. Since the TEC does go through an RFP for these reports, it is impossible to match an individual company’s actual processing requirements. I would not use a report or an RFP to finalize a software purchase.
There are many resources to help in the selection process and I have listed a few below along with some of the TEC report verbiage. Keep in mind that there are also different software packages for both the discrete manufacturer as well as the process manufacturer. If you make widgets then you are a discrete manufacturer if you make chemicals, food, cosmetics, or have batches rather than work orders then you are a process manufacturer with operational requirements that do not typically fit within a discrete manufacturing package. If you do try to use a discrete manufacturing package, your company may have some inventory issues related to unit of measure conversions, regulatory reporting challenges such as MSDS, and more…
Here are a couple of excerpts from the
“Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) is pleased to announce that Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of discrete enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions in TEC’s ERP Evaluation Center. This Evaluation Center enables you to compare and evaluate functionality based on TEC’s comprehensive model of ERP software for discrete manufacturers. Data used in the Evaluation Center is obtained from the vendor's responses to TEC’s request for information (RFI). Certification ensures that product capabilities have been demonstrated to TEC analysts based on the responses Microsoft provided in its completed TEC RFI; and that TEC analysts have analytically and comparatively reviewed Microsoft Dynamics GP RFI data against known benchmarks.”
“As for functionality specific to ERP for discrete manufacturing, Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 can be a very good option for companies looking for strong manufacturing-specific functionality (e.g., MRP, manufacturing orders, etc.) but also for very good HR and financials support.”
Other software selection resources for the manufacturer:
Section 179 Deduction Helps Manufacturers
Process, Discrete and Mixed Mode Manufacturing; 3 Business Issues – 3 Dynamic Solutions!
I am sure that I could help you to determine if you need a discrete or a process manufacturing software package for your company. Custom Information Services (CIS) has worked with both discrete and process manufactures for about 20 years. I have worked here for 14 years and I have made manufacturing my area of focus as a project manager and salesperson. CIS represents Microsoft Dynamics GP, Vicinity Manufacturing, and BatchMaster Manufacturing.
Custom Information Services is a Microsoft Dynamics reseller in North Texas. If you would like more information on our product and service offerings for manufacturers, please contact me through email at nphillippi@customis.com or by phone at 817-640-0016 x 109.
by Custom Information Services,
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Hi,
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Thanks for this update, Nancy. Great news for Microsoft Dynamics GP partners that specialize in manufacturing, like CIS and Altico Advisors in our respective geographies.