SyteLine Implementation For Manufacturers

Are you in the manufacturing industry? If so, you are unquestionably aware of the number of variables affecting productivity and profitability.

Technology is capable of holding your business down, particularly if using an older ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. In order for manufacturers to stay competitive, they need a modern ERP solution, such as Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine). This software system provides assistance in handling manufacturing challenges and driving innovation. It has been used by manufacturers for longer than thirty years.

There are numerous SyteLine consulting providers, such as LogicData, helping manufacturers implement this ERP system.

Learn more about the process of implementation, features, and benefits of SyteLine for manufacturers.

What is SyteLine?

It is a mid-sized ERP software package, helping businesses to manage their operations on a global level. It’s the ERP choice of over five thousand manufacturers worldwide, as it supports the challenges of manufacturers and encourages innovation. The implementation of this software usually takes between three and twelve months, based on various factors, including their budgets, company decisions, resources, etc.

As far as infrastructure is concerned, businesses are provided with a SQL database server, a utility server, an APS server, a Workflow server, and two or three Citrix machines. Such infrastructure is considered enough for companies with less than 200 users. The updated versions of SyteLine, referring to SyteLine 7 and 8, allow businesses to improve customer satisfaction, plan and schedule orders, deliver orders on time, improve production accuracy, etc.

Moreover, the focus of this software is placed on mid-market manufacturers. It provides integration of the accounting, distribution, and manufacturing aspects of companies. Consequently, it saves businesses money and time while encouraging stable growth.

Features

SyteLine (CloudSuite Industrial) offers a wide range of features for manufacturers to take advantage of. For instance, mixed-mode manufacturing support makes sure manufacturers aren’t stuck with one style of manufacturing. This software supports different modes, including make-to-order, make-to-stock, engineer-to-order, configure-to-order, assemble-to-order, etc.

In addition, the ease of use of this software helps employees access data and perform other tasks easily. If your team of employees cannot use the system easily, the software will be adapted to address their needs.

The multi-site capabilities of SyteLine are what makes it different from the rest of the manufacturers in the mid-market. It supports multi-site operations with multi-currency, centralized purchasing, centralized order entry, consolidated financial statements, etc. Check out the definition and types of financial statements.

Doc-Track is another feature that’s helpful in the world of just-in-time manufacturing, which requires immediate access to accurate information. In order for business owners to better manage their enterprise, they are provided with the ability to access this information from anywhere, link their folders and documents from the moment of creation, gain immediate access to any form or document, and link documents back to their origin to achieve information clarity.

SyteLine can be run on a webpage or as a windows application. Both options look exactly the same and function in a similar fashion. Consequently, users have the choice of using it either one way or the other, which isn’t the case with other ERP companies. Most ERP providers allow users to choose one of the options, referring to the web browser option.

As years go by, the goal of SyteLine has been to make the system more user-friendly and cloud-friendly. Businesses can run it as an entirely cloud-based application, and provide Infor with the opportunity to manage security, user access, and servers. The other alternative is to have the software on-premises, thus gaining full control over the system’s back end. The ultimate choice is entirely yours.

Another positive aspect about SyteLine is the possibility to personalize your ERP. Its technology makes the process of personalization easy. In other cases, when businesses wish to make software modifications, they are stuck with the current version of the software they have. Nevertheless, SyteLine allows users to make upgrades to more advanced versions while making personalization.

Another difference to consider compared to other EPR companies is the way in which SyteLine handles version 10 upgrades. Instead of making new versions available, Infor releases monthly builds of version ten, which contain enhancements and patches. These enhancements can be non-invasive, meaning they just appear in the system.

Invasive enhancements, on the other hand, might change the way of using the software. These will be installed but unavailable until system administrators decide to turn them on. Manufacturers are advised to install the monthly builds and let them make minor changes from time to time.

Their installation can be performed with the on-premises version or the SaaS version. The former allows users to download the builds and install them selectively, whereas the latter pushes the builds automatically. Follow this URL to learn more about the history, distribution, characteristics, and types of Software as a Service (SaaS).

Moreover, DataViews is an incredibly useful reporting tool designed for end-users, allowing them to enter data into the system and create reports with details, sub-totals, and filters. Once the created reports are set up, users can print them or email them to other users. Individuals can have these reports automatically sent to them via email at a given time without having to get in touch with someone at the office.

The user interface of SyteLine is considered among its most important strengths. The navigation process is nothing but straightforward. The system is well organized owing to the use of menus. The forms you visit the most can be easily bookmarked for gaining quick access. Another helpful tool is the tool for opening a form. Users can access any form just by typing a part of the file’s name.

The search for data is also straightforward. Users can bring back the required records by choosing the right selection criteria. The versatility of this software comes from its functionality and robust nature. It fits an extensive range of manufacturing styles, including job shops, engineer-to-order, build-to-stock, etc.

What makes manufacturers choose SyteLine?

CloudSuite Industrial/SyteLine is among the leading ERPs for manufacturers of small and medium size. The majority of manufacturers opt for this software because of its functionality, easy implementation, ease of use, and ease of learning. Unlike other ERP providers, SyteLine doesn’t rely on partner solutions or third-party applications but provides a pure solution.

Consequently, this software is a smarter and safer choice, easy to implement, and support. It has no dependence on partner products, add-on partners, and customizations. Its independence contributes to its functionality and safety. Another reason why many manufacturers choose this software is the easy-to-learn character of the program.

Additionally, Infor has created the best e-learning program for small and medium-sized manufacturers. It provides more than four hundred hours of e-learning that customers can access at any time. Users are provided with a curriculum, which enables them to start learning the system instantly, watch the uploaded videos as many times as they want, gain access to live web training and get in touch with class instructors.

Another reason why so many manufacturers choose SyteLine is the possibility of easy implementation. This provider teams up with consulting companies that help customers get the system implemented. Apart from being provided with extensive knowledge, users are also offered guidance by implementation team members.

Furthermore, SyteLine is easy to use due to the education users receive from the e-learning system. The user interface is highly personalized and equipped with a document management system, which allows tablet access, mobile access, and PC access to analytical data and documents.

Manufacturers opt for SyteLine because of its first-class customer service, which is crucial for businesses these days. It optimizes interactions with clients by making improvements to the entire journey, from customer service to sales.

The order management functionality of this system allows manufacturers to form accurate quotes with product pricing and configuration. This helps them turn all quotes into orders quite rapidly. In contrast, the inventory management feature allows manufacturers to get immediate information into the inventory of raw materials in their plants and warehouses, even in the warehouses of their suppliers.

As a result, the process of transferring and ordering materials when production needs arise is made easier as well. Customers can connect electronically and reserve the necessary supplier materials. Conversely, the financial management feature provides manufacturers with numerous options, such as forecasting, budgeting, planning, and analytics. It enables them to control costs and make operational changes to increase growth and profits.

The advance planning feature of SyteLine helps manufacturers synchronize resources, work centers, and inventories, as well as plan materials and their capacity at the same time. Once manufacturers get a clear view of the situation, they can plan ahead and minimize delays. Additionally, the software framework of this system minimizes coding, which leads to the maximization of development and customizations.

Do your need to install a new ERP system?

The implementation of a new ERP system is neither a simple nor a low-cost project. The expenses associated with such implementation might range from one to three percent of the annual revenues of your company. Nevertheless, in some situations, the need for such installation is unavoidable to achieve better effectiveness.

For instance, when the internal systems of companies become outdated, the IT staff has to perform updates manually so as to provide users with the necessary data. Anyhow, businesses usually have to expand their IT staff to be able to support the user base and the system itself. In contrast, modern ERP solutions need minimal IT maintenance, which reduces the costs in this area.

Business growth imposes the need for new processes that weren’t necessary when the original ERP system was first installed. Consequently, the old system isn’t capable of managing the new processes, and additional software has to be acquired. Instead of acquiring additional software, a new ERP system will provide better integrity of data, lower IT costs, and higher visibility.

When businesses only rely on Excel reports, it often indicates that their current ERP system is either not utilized properly or is inadequate. Good enterprise resource planning solutions provide users with different dashboards and reports.

Probably the major reason for businesses to consider implementing a new ERP system is the improvement in business process speed. Manufacturers should be asking themselves several questions before the implementation of new software. They should consider the length of time it takes for orders to get processed, the speed at which production is informed of a problem on the floor, the time spent counting inventory, etc.

The elimination of lags is of great importance in cost reduction and the improvement of customer service and sales. Customer service representatives will be able to answer the questions of prospects in a couple of minutes instead of needing several hours or days.

Final word

This ERP solution is versatile and beneficial for manufacturers in numerous ways!