Technology changes more quickly than ever before, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that companies don’t invest in technology just for the sake of it. They want to invest in business systems that help them improve productivity, support decisions and provide visibility. So how are companies justifying an investment in mobile ERP solutions?

The Many Uses of Mobile in Manufacturing

Sales people have been asking for more and better mobile access for a long time. Not only does the sales team visit customers, they generate the demand for the product. They need to be able to enter forecasts, quotes, and orders in real time, not just to service the customer but also to provide more complete demand visibility for planning. They can also check available to promise, inventory on hand and order status while with the customer, helping to cement the relationship.

Production planning and production management people also benefit from mobile access. These individuals often need to be on the shop floor to check statuses or resolve problems. They may be at a supplier’s site working through quality or delivery issues, or at a customer’s facility supervising installation. Whatever the issue and location, the ability to enter or access information while away from their desks is a massive time saver.

In fact, mobile devices are already in use in many manufacturing environments. Workers use them to clock in or clock out of jobs and shifts and many warehouses use them to process transactions.

Data Collection & So Much More

Warehouse and logistics management are two of the most compelling use cases for mobile ERP access. Many warehouse management systems rely on specialized data collection devices and system prompts to capture transaction information at the point of use. However, implementing these systems requires a heavy investment in specialized equipment and companies often must heavily customize the systems to reach maximum productivity gains.

The advent of inexpensive mobile devices has simplified data collection. Rather than invest in expensive specialized equipment, it’s now possible to scan barcodes, QR Codes or RFID tags with a mobile device fitted with an inexpensive Bluetooth or NFC (Near Field Communication) reader. This mobile capability enables companies to achieve the productivity improvements they desire without requiring heavy investments in customizations or equipment. Quickly and inexpensively, a company can turn a simple smartphone into a state-of-the-art data collection device that employees can take with them to the plant floor, the warehouse, the shipping dock or wherever the need arises.

But mobile ERP is about more than simply capturing data. Companies also rely on information from multiple sources to support their businesses. They may capture forecast information at a customer site or process NCR (non-compliance reports) to feed into the company’s CAPA (corrective action/preventive action) system. Executives and traveling employees may respond to requisition requests or workflow notifications on their mobile devices while out of the office. The list of potential use cases is nearly limitless.

Companies may not necessarily thrive simply because they have chosen to adopt mobile technology, but it is easy to see that companies that don’t leverage mobile devices in their business are missing out on a major source of potential productivity improvements.