ERP or PLM for Manufacturing success, what to Implement first?

Advancing technologies, followed by a swift digitization of various critical operations has transformed the manufacturing industry, drastically. In fact; with the competition getting steeper, manufacturers, today are quickly implementing and adopting various sophisticated tools such ERP and PLM to gain that cut above.

Several manufacturers are even going a step ahead by integrating ERP and PLM, in order to reap optimum benefits. However; sometimes, integration falls flat.

Now, the question, Does these two systems work together – if yes, how? Before, we delve deep into the ‘How, let us have a very brief idea about how ERP and PLM works in manufacturing industry.

• ERP systems enable organizations to plan for orders and profitability by offering manufacturers with a real-time status of their finances.
• With an ERP solution in place, manufacturers can conveniently keep a tab on orders and deliveries. The system gives them better insight of inventory, delivery lead times & production bottlenecks.
• Usually, companies involved with in-house manufacturing or in-house production of complex and customized products, go for a comprehensive ERP solution for effective information-flow within finance, sales and manufacturing departments.
  

However; companies outsourcing manufacturing operations, often utilize a smaller set of ERP tools that consists of modules like financial, accounts payable and receivable, inventory and procurement.

Product Lifecycle management or a PLM, offers control of product records across its development stages – right from conception to design and production.