The BOM under the old system didn't have any linkage to the inventory system. We had to go out there and manually look at the bill, see what we had on hand, and then order after the fact. This is, in my mind, the biggest benefit of our DataWorks ERP system to date. Our previous inventory system was, I'd guess, 50-60 percent accurate despite everything possible we did to make it accurate. ERP also can make a difference at the shipping and distribution end of a company.
Shipments can go direct, and are therefore smaller and cheaper.
In addition, there's no need to stock materials or finished units, so stocks don't become obsolete and have to be written off. Even before the manufacturing operation gets involved, information is necessary, such as in the sales effort. The most valuable information to our overseas people is product and customer information. It is exceedingly important for all sales people to have a complete view of all activity that occurs with a customer. This would typically include sales history, but now must include trouble calls, service requests, repairs and any other activity from general questions to product inquiries.