If I were allowed only one word to describe the most important feature of an effective ERP solution for the electronics industry, it would have to be “flexibility”. Electronic manufacturers, which run the gamut from small, purpose-build shops, to mid-size chip foundries, to billion-dollar giants mass producing consumer electronics, often require more than the usual flexibility from their ERP.

Although metal shops have actively engaged in automation over the last decade, incorporating robots for precision-driven or dangerous functions, such as welding and material handling, it is only fairly recently that what once seemed like a science-fiction writer’s daydream is becoming a part of everyday fabricated metal processes.

SYSPRO’s association with process manufacturers is long standing, and we continue to enjoy significant growth in our food and beverage customer base. I tend to think that we attract food and beverage customers with our industry-specific functionalities, our service, and the modular, cost-effective nature of our offering. SYSPRO’s enviable track record of retaining customers through periods of growth I credit to the scalability of our solutions, and to the dedication of our service representatives.

Last weekend a group of colleagues, most of us in the ERP field, broke out the barbies and commandeered a stretch of shady beachfront. The group shares a passion: we are all in one way or another obsessed with manufacturing, which is why we began analyzing the value chains that brought us the food and drink we were consuming.

If there’s one thing global competition has taught us, it’s that our attitudes towards technology can mean the difference between success and failure. Industry 4.0, the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, is still in the early days of adoption, but the changes it promises are profound. Over the next decade, forward-thinking businesses will embrace change and transform themselves, through connectivity, data, automation, and an increasingly sophisticated workforce.

Many SYSPRO customers think of me as ‘the report guy’. Odd as it may seem, I’ve always loved writing reports. I also enjoy helping SYSPRO users learn to write better reports. Over the course of many years I’ve realized that there are six main points that should be considered when writing reports that are both informative and easy to digest.