For food manufacturers looking to improve their workflows with production planning software, MRP is a must. As part of a wider ERP system, this invaluable tool can provide insight and forward planning needed to achieve higher levels of management. For process manufacturing today, it is becoming a need more than a want. So, if you’re considering MRP software for your food manufacturing business, what makes it such an essential choice? Here are just a few of the advantages to get you started:
Consistent material availability
As an industry that relies on a steady and constant flow of manufacturing, the ability to meet demand and plan out production ahead of time can ensure that the right materials are available as and when you need them. No delays, shutdowns or reduced manufacturing cycles required. By enabling that improved availability through inventory control, a higher standard of efficiency can be reached.
Reduce the cost of excess inventory
With accurate manufacturing management, it’s possible to reduce waste within your manufacturing business greatly. This both saves costs and ensures your business is running in a more eco-friendly capacity by reducing excess, perishable items. By reducing the level of excess materials before they’re even purchased, it’s possible to save costs while still meeting manufacturing quotas.
Optimised resource management
From reducing downtime to accurately planning ahead of the ebbs and flows of manufacturing, MRP software provides the clarity needed for better optimisation. Whether it’s in staffing levels or equipment use, that optimisation can make a considerable amount of difference. Having a higher level of transparency and control over the availability and projected use of resources can go a long way toward streamlining and optimising those workflows.
Better traceability
MRP systems make generating and reporting invaluable data easy, allowing you to better audit and understand the requirements of your food manufacturing business. Through that higher standard of management, it’s possible to save time and resources on additional reporting or manual processes. By having consistent access to that invaluable data, understanding the success and changes required for your business in the ‘bigger picture’ is far more achievable.
Save labour on management processes
From maintaining inventory to making purchase orders to managing production, an MRP system reduces the repetitiveness of particular tasks and human intervention needed to achieve these goals. By providing that high degree of accuracy, storing and utilising past data and delivering automation, an MRP system can effectively increase efficiency and capacity within your current workforce - which provides the business more room to grow with the resources available.
Scheduling and seasonal planning
By predicting the expected output and understanding business requirements and goals, an MRP system can enhance current scheduling processes. This is achieved by providing clarity on the production process, inform managers of resource levels, notify purchasing of required items, ongoing tasks and even required maintenance of machinery within tight deadlines. Not only can this improve efficiency, but it can also reduce labour costs over time as processes are more efficient.
While old-school MRP technology acts as a standalone service, this service is now often integrated as part of a wider ERP system. If greater control, more effective output and powerful management is your goal, then choosing an integrated software that is suited to your business is the right direction. In food production, planning matters – so getting ahead is the best thing you could do. Get in touch today to find out more about how our integrated MRP function within our ERP system could work for you.