ERP Internals/Modules/Manufacturing

Some businesses build their products from parts and raw materials. These products can range from the assembly of a few standard parts to products with thousands of parts requiring weeks of engineering. Manufacturing (which is actually a group of sub-modules) controls the process by which this is done. Not every ERP package has a Manufacturing module although all the large ones do.

Manufacturing is divided into discrete and process manufacturing. Discrete manufacturers make solid items such as flashlights or cars using Bills of Material. Process manufacturers make liquids or chemicals using formulas or recipes. Manufacturing can also be divided into Make-To-Stock or Make/Engineer-To-Order.

Manufacturing has a Maintain Module Information function that handles the parameters and data tables for the sub-modules.

Here is an incomplete list of the sub-modules in Manufacturing:

• Bill of Materials
• Master Production Schedule
• Advanced Planning and Scheduling
• Shop Floor Control
• Quality