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MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE


“This is all done via a single platform for better real- time collaboration. Since many small shops have limited IT resources to manage/deploy software, many are opting for a hosted cloud ERP solution, which is delivered in a manner that minimizes complexity,” Poindexter added. “This also has cash-fl ow advantages, allowing businesses to pay as they go from OPEX [operating expenses] budgets vs. CA- PEX [capital expenses].


“Cloud ERP is perfect for small manufacturers as it ideally facilitates the collaborative nature of manufacturing across the entire supply chain,” Poindexter said. “Thanks to cloud deployment models, which reduce the infrastructure and IT support requirements related to hosting and man- agement of software, small manufacturers can now access ERP capabilities that were previously out of reach. Those shops are in a prime position to get the most out of the cloud, as their size necessitates a large, agile computing solution while their IT budgets generally prohibit a robust, in-house data center.” Small shops can benefi t greatly from cloud-based systems, said Realtrac’s Klosowski. “I believe that the cloud-based sys- tem has the potential to be a major tool for smaller shops,” said Klosowski. “It provides a cost-effective environment that backs up all the information while providing complete shop-fl oor con- trol as being a sole manager for a smaller group of individuals. “In addition to being cost-effective, Realtrac’s cloud- based ERP allows you to grow your business while managing


operations from a distance,” he added. “There have been ex- treme advancements in ERP. Having a cloud-based solution allows the user real-time visibility. As anyone in this industry knows, manufacturing changes almost at the same speed as technology, inventory changes, demand changes, and equip- ment changes. With this visibility it allows the manufacturer to provide the right quantity and time and adjust to scheduling changes at the right time.”


“There’s no magic to this cloud stuff really.”


The major plus for cloud ERP is users don’t have the IT in-


frastructure and related costs, added Fujitsu Glovia’s Gorham. “It’s basically outsourced. The updating of the system on the cloud, all of that is taken care of,” Gorham said. “The down- side is you don’t own the solution. It’s a run-to-apply solution.” Fujitsu Glovia offers on-premises or cloud versions of its Glovia G2 ERP software, which can be installed in the cloud but is easily converted later to an on-premises solution, Gorham noted. “We have some customers that start in the cloud and then port to the on-premises solution. That’s an hour or so of work at most, and the reason I can say that is it’s exactly the same solution. Most of our competition, they’re actually two solutions. Or they’re the same, but they cut it down to make it perform in the cloud. Our software is architected to be sub-second response times. That takes away the barrier if you want to move to the cloud, or the other way around.”


The latest Epicor ERP software offers users easy access to key shop-fl oor compo- nent data in the Bill of Materials shown here on the Engineering Workbench screen.


54 AdvancedManufacturing.org | December 2016


Cloud Concerns Linger Many manufacturers still are hesitant to adopt cloud ERP, for varying reasons. “We do see some smaller businesses that are looking for cloud solutions, but a large num- ber of them are still most comfortable with a software package that installs on-prem- ises,” said Dan Griffi n, director of product management for Macola, an ERP system developed by Exact America (Bloomington, MN), makers of JobBoss shop-management software. “Smaller businesses, those without a large IT staff, have concerns around cloud, specifi cally as it pertains to security, access and data ownership. Furthermore, cloud software often has limited confi guration


Image courtesy Epicor Software Corp.


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