Smarter Supply Chain Management for SMB Manufacturers
Unlock hidden efficiencies and fuel growth with M1 ERP's integrated supply chain management tools. Optimize inventory levels with real-time data insights, streamlining processes, and strengthening supplier relations with enhanced collaboration.
The result? A robust supply chain delivering improvements in cost reduction, on-time delivery rates, and customer satisfaction.

Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
M1 ERP's powerful Material Requirements Planning (MRP) tools take the guesswork out of production by automatically calculating the exact amount of raw materials, components, and subassemblies you need for each finished product.
Forget spreadsheets and manual tracking - M1's MRP factors in your Master Production Schedule (MPS), Bill of Materials (BOM), current inventory levels, "what-ifs", and even lead times to provide real-time visibility and control.
Request for Quotes (RFQ)
The M1 RFQ module is a tool that helps to manage the process of requesting quotes from suppliers for materials or outside services. The module allows you to create and manage RFQs for multiple suppliers, set deadlines for receiving quotes, track the status of RFQs, compare quotes from multiple suppliers, and award contracts to suppliers.
Production Management
The Production Management tools in M1 are comprehensive solutions that help you to manage production operations efficiently and profitably. It includes a wide range of features, such as scheduling, dispatching, quality control, reporting, and dashboard analytics. By utilizing these functionalities, you can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen quality, all resulting in better customer satisfaction.
Scheduling
Optimize production by coordinating resources, assigning tasks, and managing timelines with M1 ERP's scheduling tool.
Get the tool that adapts to changing demands, ensures efficient utilization of equipment and labor, plus the visibility needed to meet delivery targets every time.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Forge stronger supplier bonds with M1's unified SRM tool. Collaborate seamlessly with vendors through:
- Streamlined quoting: Request and compare bids effortlessly
- Real-time order and shipment tracking: Know exactly where orders are any time of the day
- Data-driven supplier performance monitoring: Identify strengths and optimize collaboration
- Direct communication tools: Foster stronger, more efficient relationships
Benefits of M1's SRM:
- Reduced costs: secure competitive pricing and minimize delays
- Improved quality: Collaborate for better materials and production processes
- Enhanced agility: Respond quickly to market or customer changes
- Increased trust and transparency: Build long-term, mutually beneficial supplier partnerships.
M1 ERP empowers you to transform supplier relationships from transactional to strategic.
FAQs - Supply Chain Management
How can M1 ERP help manage complex supply chains with multiple suppliers and tiers?
M1 ERP provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, supplier performance, and transportation schedules across multiple suppliers and tiers. This helps discrete manufacturers identify and resolve potential supply chain issues early on, ensuring uninterrupted production and timely deliveries.
Can M1 ERP streamline demand forecasting and order fulfillment processes?
M1 ERP's advanced demand forecasting capabilities help discrete manufacturers accurately predict customer demand, enabling them to optimize inventory levels and production plans. M1's integrated order fulfillment process automates order picking, packing, and shipping tasks, reducing errors and improving order processing efficiency.
How does M1 ERP help with procurement and supplier relationship management?
M1 ERP's procurement module streamlines the purchasing process, from requisition to purchase order generation and payment processing. M1's SRM module facilitates collaboration with suppliers, enabling manufacturers to share real-time demand forecasts, track supplier performance, and manage supplier relationships effectively.
Can M1 ERP help discrete manufacturers optimize inventory management and reduce carrying costs?
M1 ERP provides real-time inventory visibility and advanced inventory optimization tools, helping discrete manufacturers maintain optimal inventory levels to minimize carrying costs. M1's replenishment planning module automates inventory replenishment based on demand forecasts and lead times, preventing stockouts and overstocking.
How can M1 ERP improve production planning and scheduling?
M1 ERP's production planning and scheduling modules integrate with supply chain and inventory management modules, providing a holistic view of production processes. M1's scheduling capabilities consider factors like machine capacity, labor availability, and material availability to optimize production schedules and minimize downtime.
What is the impact of M1 ERP on material traceability and quality control?
M1 ERP facilitates material traceability by tracking materials from procurement through production and delivery. This provides discrete manufacturers with comprehensive data to identify and isolate quality issues quickly, ensuring product quality and minimizing recalls.
Can M1 ERP provide insights into supply chain performance and identify areas for improvement?
M1 ERP's comprehensive reporting and analytics tools provide discrete manufacturers with detailed insights into supply chain performance, including inventory turnover, supplier lead times, and transportation costs. These insights help manufacturers identify areas for improvement and optimize supply chain processes.
How can M1 ERP handle unique challenges such as managing bill of materials (BOM) complexity, production routing, and finite capacity planning, across multiple production lines and facilities?
M1's advanced BOM management ensures streamlined handling of complex product structures, enabling precise tracking of numerous components and subassemblies. The production routing capabilities optimize workflows by defining efficient manufacturing routes, facilitating smooth transitions between production stages. M1's finite capacity planning extends across multiple production lines and facilities, ensuring that resource allocation aligns with production demands, preventing bottlenecks, and optimizing overall operational efficiency.