Since installed ERP systems are expensive, complex to deploy, and require dedicated IT resources to maintain, automating mission-critical systems for small manufacturers is a challenge. ProSoap found itself concentrating so much on our servers that we couldn’t get on the phone enough to make sales calls. Outsourcing a hosted ERP solution solved the problem.
Change often allows companies to rethink the current ways of doing things. A move caused Essilor, a French eyeglass manufacturer, to consolidate its help desks on two continents into one global point of contact in Brussels.
The lower middle market manufacturers ($30 – $200 million in sales) tend not to use strategic sourcing solutions. But there’s an outsourcing provider achieving value for them with e-sourcing technology available in a Software-as-a-Service model. Read how it works for a mattress manufacturer impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
This SMB manufacturer replaced its legacy applications with one hosted ERP suite for dramatic cost savings and vastly improved operational efficiencies.
Before outsourcing, Whirlpool struggled with manual order-entry, especially long order process times and the potential for misplaced or lost paperwork. After outsourcing, the automated document processes shrunk from hours to minutes and lowered payroll due to less human oversight.
INVISTA, which owns brands like Lycra, had promised the industry an online fabric library. The CEO had sent letters to thousands of companies announcing the system would go live by October 4. In June it discovered its supplier was failing. It hired Freeborders, whose teams in the US, Europe, and China delivered the library three weeks early.
Companies focused on R&D and new product development must operate lean. Here’s the story of how outsourcing has enabled one such company to operate ahead of its goals.
Within the manufacturing industry, outsourcing plays an important role beyond the processes associated with just manufacturing products. Here is the story of what’s taking place behind the scenes with surplus equipment.
Electronic Hardware Corp. was suffering from spiraling costs, which hurt its competitiveness. It offshored to China. The result was so successful the company created its own shelter group to help other manufacturers send their work there.
Aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are driving multiple aspects of plane manufacture up the supply chain to suppliers that can perform those tasks better and cheaper.
Before it outsourced, the accounting department of a large manufacturer saw many airplane tickets over $1,000. Today the average ticket price is $320 after outsourcing ticket procurement to Travelocity Business.
A software provider that produces rapid response manufacturing products provides his list of criteria manufacturers should consider when selecting a contract manufacturer.
Original equipment manufacturers have been using contract manufacturers for years. Today high tech product life cycles have become so short that building plants and hiring specialized staff is no longer economic for OEMs. Contract manufacturing is still the answer.
JTI, which manufactures Salems, Winstons, and Mild Sevens, has plants in 48 countries. It asked Equant, its global telecom provider, to set up a voice over Internet protocol call center so it could take advantage of the new services VoIP offers.
Manufacturers who outsource lose control over the manufacturing process. Adam Chernichaw’s advice: Document everything.
Customs compliance today is daunting. Outsourcing gives importers access to technology that automates and integrates the process.
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