SupplyChainGuru

I have sold, and implemented, many ERP systems over my career, both inside industry and as a reseller. I have also studied lean and executed a number of successful improvement projects. I have always been intrigued by the relatively few articles about bringing the two concepts together. Most lean practitioners insist MRP and lean cannot co-exist. I would argue that you can bring the two together, albeit never perfectly.  Read the article and let's discuss: Can MRP and Lean Co-Exist (Part 1) About FarStar :  FarStar is boutique consulting firm with a focus supply chain transformation. With team members located in Canada and the US, the company has extensive experience across a wide range of industries including aerospace, defence, high-tech/electronics, and industrial products in a variety of business environments, ranging from make-to-stock to engineer-to-order.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE Step 1 is often not well done - ie. list the expected deliverables. Doing this up front means both the buyer and seller have defined expectations, which can often avoid confusion and frustration later in the process. Buried in the discussion of Step 1 is the topic of "vanilla" installations or using the software "out-of-the-box". I have been on both sides of the table -as an implementing customer and as a former ERP VAR - trust me, you want to keep your ERP as close to the way it was delivered as possible. You will save money up front by avoiding (possibly unnecessary) development, save time by not having to work for the customization and avoiding custom training for your staff. You will save money on the backend by making future updates, and eventually major upgrades, much more run of the mill instead of white-knuckled experiences as conflicts occur during the process. I remembe...