Manufacturing Software Evaluation Guide Introduction

Implementing the proper business system can be as strategic and important to your
bottom line as purchasing new equipment. However, implementing the wrong
solution or choosing an inexperienced solution provider can have serious negative
effects on your business—from lost opportunities and downtime to bankruptcy in
some extreme cases. Consequently, it is imperative that manufacturers take time to
clearly define their business processes and objectives before they start their search
for new business software.

There are literally hundreds of software products on the market today to help
manufacturers automate and manage day-to-day business requirements such as
accounting, inventory management, order entry, and manufacturing. The good news
is that manufacturers have plenty of options. The bad news is that many companies
feel overwhelmed by the evaluation process because they don’t have a roadmap to
help them identify the right systems for their unique business and technical
requirements.

This guide is designed to help manufacturers manage the entire software evaluation
cycle from needs analysis and budget planning through software selection and
implementation.

Growth Considerations
Manufacturers can choose from hundreds of software products to help them
manage their businesses. In the software world, one size certainly does not fit all
manufacturers. Consequently, manufacturers generally move through three major
phases of growth as follows:

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