From shop floor to … anywhere: Run your business flexibly with a browser-based ERP

Remote or hybrid working might now be the norm in many desk-based roles, but manufacturing is normally tied to a specific location. While moving the physical aspects of production may not be viable, that doesn’t mean you can’t work more flexibly. In fact, it can help your whole operation to run smoother and give you a competitive advantage.

Until recently, flexibility in manufacturing hasn’t been easy to achieve, particularly for smaller firms without big IT budgets. Even now, the only way to access software might be via a clunky remote desktop, while the latest information is difficult to retrieve because it’s stored on multiple spreadsheets. Most bigger companies are already running their ERP software in the cloud, but many smaller ones are reluctant to press ahead because of concerns about long implementation times, staff onboarding and return-on-investment.

Manufacturers of all sizes share similar challenges, including uncertain (and frequently disrupted) supply chains, changing customer expectations and skills shortages. The difference is that larger ones have more resources.  

Browser-based ERP software helps to plug this gap, giving small-scale manufacturers better capabilities and, importantly, flexibility. Ridder iQ Essentials is now available on the web, so it’s easy for users to access their software securely from any device and location via their browser. Here are five ways it can help you work more flexibly and solve your business challenges.  

When we think of bottlenecks in manufacturing, it’s usually the physical aspects of production that springs to mind. Output depends on the availability of hands-on machinists, machinery and materials yet there are also hidden bottlenecks slowing down production. But what about the less-obvious bottlenecks that slow down decision-making? When information isn’t readily available, staff spend time trawling through spreadsheets and engaging in long email chains with colleagues to find the answer. If their colleague is out of the office or busy, it might be hours or even days before they get it.  

A browser-based ERP gives you and your team visibility of your business, including the orders, inventory levels and production schedules both on and off-site. They don’t need to wait for an answer because it’s all contained in a single system and, unlike spreadsheets, you can be confident that it’s up-to-date. 

If only experienced employees know how to navigate complex and out-of-date software and spreadsheets, they can end up becoming gatekeepers of the information within them. As a result, more recent hires can find it difficult to get to grips with their role. It also proves tricky when someone is off sick or, worse, retires and takes their knowledge with them. Web-based software, on the other hand, centralises data so that everyone can easily view and act on it, no matter how long they’ve been with the company. Information (such as an order status) can be updated on the move, and because it’s easy to use, people are more likely to adopt it. 

Gen-Z employees (born between 1997 and 2012) expect flexibility and digital tools in the workplace as standard, so they’re going to be left feeling frustrated and disengaged if they come up against outdated software and manual processes.  

It’s more frustrating too if they aren’t empowered to make decisions because experienced employees hold all the knowledge. By modernising your business using intuitive web-based tools, you engage young people from the start, challenging perceptions that the industry is behind others. It could be particularly helpful for manufacturers in remote locations who don’t have the advantage of a wide local talent pool. Flexible working tools are great for other employees too, including those with caring responsibilities who might otherwise have to take (unpaid) time off or even leave their job.  

As with Covid, there may be times when global events hit supply chains hard and you need to access your systems to check whether parts/materials will arrive on time.  But any disruption needs to be managed carefully to prevent production bottlenecks and ensure order deadlines are met. Remote access allows decision-makers to stay alert to any potential challenges and take steps to address them, whether that be sending a message to customers, procuring alternative materials/parts or adjusting production schedules. 

If you’re planning to grow your business (as 64% of manufacturers are) a web-based ERP is the perfect place to start. It gives you the core capabilities you need to move to the next level, taking on new orders without creaking – so you can plan your resourcing and inventory levels without overstretching teams or letting down customers. As you grow, you can add more features and modules in line with your requirements, having already embedded the technology into your workflows. 

Ridder iQ (for 25+ employees) and Ridder iQ Essentials (for up to 25 employees) is now available as a web-based solution. Get in touch to find out how it can help your company work more flexibly and productively.