9 Must-Have Integrations for the Manufacturing Industry

As global manufacturing searches for stabilization, a digital revolution is underway. Manufacturers already rely on multiple software applications to meet competitive standards, but to solidify their future, they must integrate.

As the industry invests more heavily in robotics automation, cloud computing, AI, and the IoT, all these technologies will converge, forcing manufacturing visionaries to extract every drop of usable data to stay ahead of the game. Here are the must-have integrations they’re prioritizing:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Integration

ERP integration is often one of the key applications manufacturers integrate. It connects different departments and functions, such as finance, procurement, production, and human resources, with a unified view of data.

The ERP serves as the backbone of operations, integrating various tasks such as production planning, inventory management, procurement, financials, and more. By pulling real-time insights, manufacturers can optimize resource allocation, track costs, and ensure efficient production planning.

 Inventory Management Integration

Another high-priority integration for manufacturing is inventory management. The manufacturing industry cannot afford the production delays and stock shortages that can occur when inventory is not tracked in real-time. Inventory management integration ensures the right materials and components are available when needed while also automating the reordering process to keep stock at the appropriate levels.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Integration

Integrated MES software unites the shop floor and the ERP system, so teams can precisely monitor and control manufacturing operations. Integration between MES and ERP feeds the exchange of data on production orders, material consumption, quality control, and machine performance, optimizing production processes. This makes it a valuable differentiator for manufacturing companies.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Integration

A common integration across every industry, CRM integration is valuable to manufacturing for the same reasons. Most businesses use the CRM as the main database of customer information, so when those insights can relate to additional data, it can vastly improve sales and operations. Integrated CRM allows manufacturers to streamline sales processes, improve order management, and gain insights into customer preferences and buying patterns that inform more effective upsell and cross-sell.

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Integration

Manufacturing companies use PLM software to manage product data throughout its lifecycle, from design and engineering to manufacturing and service. Integrating PLM with other systems such as CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) and ERP ensures data consistency, collaboration, and efficient product development and release processes.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) Integration

Integrating SCM software helps manufacturers optimize their supply chain processes, including procurement, inventory management, demand planning, and logistics. Integration with ERP and MES systems enables real-time visibility into supply chain activities, facilitating efficient material flow, demand forecasting, and order fulfillment.

Business Intelligence (BI) and Analytics Integration

The manufacturing industry relies on BI and analytics to make educated decisions and boost efficiency. Integrating BI and analytics tools with ERP, MES, and other key systems allows manufacturers to extract, transform, and visualize data to monitor key performance indicators, identify trends, and optimize processes.

Internet of Things (IoT) Integration

The manufacturing industry leverages IoT devices for everything from monitoring machinery to maintaining quality control standards and worker safety. Integrating these devices and sensors with manufacturing systems facilitates predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and data-driven decision-making, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime. It also supports efficient inventory management and supply chain optimization that can minimize excess inventory and its associated costs.

E-commerce Integration

For manufacturers with direct-to-consumer or B2B online sales, integrating e-commerce platforms enables seamless order processing, inventory management, and fulfillment. Integration with ERP and CRM systems ensures accurate product information, pricing, and customer data synchronization.

Conclusion

In an ever-evolving manufacturing industry, integrating the right tools and systems is vital for success and growth. By leveraging inventory management, CRM, ERP, supply chain management, and IoT integrations, you can unlock new levels of productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Regardless of what is being integrated, the most successful projects have defined requirements and use cases, are aligned with your budget, and match your manufacturing goals. If you need help evaluating integrations for the manufacturing industry, the StarfishETL team is here to support you.