Bangkok--26 Jun--Spark Communications
IFS Solutions, the global enterprise applications company, launched the new core version of its extended ERP suite, IFS Applications? 8. Sridharan Arumugam(Left), Vice President South East Asia of IFS Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, and Worawit Lerdbussarakam, Vice President (Deputy Plant Manager) of TPI Polene Public Company Limited (Right) joined the launch of IFS Applications? 8.
IFS, the global enterprise applications company, today presents its new core version of its extended ERP suite, IFS Applications? 8. Among the innovative features for manufacturing industries are comprehensive support for aftermarket service and repair, prototype manufacturing, as well as enhanced sales configurator and shop floor reporting capabilities. Features enhancing supply chain management include trade management, inventory planning and warehousing elements that have been developed in close collaboration with early adopter customers.
As business processes within global businesses are increasing in complexity, there is a growing demand for user-friendly and efficient enterprise applications. In response to this general trend, IFS Applications 8 offers best-practice solutions based on many years of first-hand industry experience, always coupled with leading-edge innovations in user experience as manifested in the IFS Enterprise Explorer interface.
Effective Manufacturing Processes
Today, many manufacturers are facing shrinking profit margins on the goods they produce. Alternative revenue streams such as product repair and other aftermarket services are consequently becoming increasingly important. In response to the demands of manufacturers servicing their own products, or service providers specializing in repairing others’ products, IFS Applications 8 includes the brand new feature, Component MRO. The solution covers the complete aftermarket repair process, from agreement, receipt and repair to shipping and invoicing.
While constantly seeking new revenue streams, manufacturers must stay on top of the rapid changes in product demand. Prototype production continues to be important in order to meet customer expectations, ensure quality and minimize time to market. The new Prototype Manufacturing component will support companies producing small prototype series in a way that is easy to set up and execute without affecting normal production. The feature also supports companies that wish to redesign existing products or test new production technologies.
An important trend within manufacturing is the growing demand for uniquely configured products. To support manufacturers in delivering on this trend, IFS Applications 8 is equipped with an improved Sales Configurator feature. Easy to understand and use, the configurator eliminates the need for engineers to handle orders or quotations. The component leverages the system’s configure-to-order (CTO) capabilities and offers full integration with the Media Library.
Besides comprehensive support for the actual production line, an efficient manufacturing operation also needs a user-friendly and efficient reporting component. The greatly enhanced Shop Floor Reporting feature is easy to learn and use, promoting efficiency and quality. The tool is configurable to suit all employees and situations. A positive user experience is secured via the new Shop Floor Worker Cockpit which enables electronic shop orders without the need for hard copies.
A growing number of manufacturers are turning toward a project-based product development and production strategy, driving the need for business solutions that can offer project management capabilities as an integrated part of the entire value chain. IFS Applications 8 offers a unique project-based solution that supports the entire lifecycle of the project while remaining an integrated part of the overall ERP system.
Keeping the Supply Chain Flowing
Within this extremely competitive arena, price transparency is driving the need for efficient and flexible business solutions that can handle segmentation of customers and prices, thereby ensuring consumer loyalty and profitable growth.
The new Trade Management feature in IFS Applications 8 enables retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers to offer customers discount and rebate models that are becoming increasingly common within the industry. Companies can thereby influence customer purchasing behaviors by means of campaigns and promotional discounts. IFS Applications 8 is also equipped with features that support retroactive customer rebates, automatic calculation of freight charges, and the ability to handle pack size-dependent charges and discounts.
The new inventory planning component in IFS Applications 8 allows for differentiated planning to strike a balance between product availability and operational cost. For example, users can define a policy that stipulates that two weeks of inventory must be maintained at all times. The Inventory Planning component is integrated with IFS Demand Planning, which means that the inventory levels will respond to seasonal changes, campaigns and trends.
An important part of any supply chain is efficient and intelligent warehousing. In IFS Applications 8, the warehousing component has been significantly enhanced to support advanced inventory put-away, efficient warehouse navigation, powerful warehouse reporting and serial reservation logic. With the new feature for minimum remaining shelf life, companies handling products with limited shelf life are able to guarantee a certain shelf life when the products arrive at the customer’s. In this way, the system ensures that there is time for the vendor to stock and sell the product, and for the customer to consume it.
“We are excited to be able to present IFS Applications 8, a full ERP suite that represents the cutting edge of business operation and usability. We are convinced that the new version will have a considerable impact on how companies plan and execute their manufacturing and supply chain operations. Our latest verison is a good example of how IFS is responding to changing market demands and how we are incorporating innovative solutions to industry challenges by working closely with customers within a variety of sectors,” said Sridharan Arumugam, Vice President, South East Asia, IFS.
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