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How ERP Breathes New Life into Medical Device Manufacturing

How ERP Breathes New Life into Medical Device Manufacturing

ERP Ready to Help

The medical device manufacturing sector plays a vital role in supplying essential products that impact lives. Manufacturers must adhere to the strictest compliance standards while successfully organizing and managing their operations. Effective Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can be an important aspect of this organization and management. There are many benefits to implementing ERP systems, and manufacturers will find that the right solutions will improve their operations, ultimately increasing operational productivity and software functioning.

Medical Device Manufacturing

Tracking Data Health

Given the diverse range of medical supplies and their components, manufacturers require software integrations capable of efficiently tracking parts and finished products. ERP systems facilitate seamless tracking and management of order histories, revisions, and product recalls. Tailored ERP solutions offer real-time insights throughout the manufacturing process, aiding in documentation and data export for compliance with medical device manufacturing standards. These systems also enable revision tracking during manufacturing, assisting businesses during inspections and audits. Providing recall tracking, ERP systems empower businesses to identify potential concerns in medical devices, implementing protocols to prevent recalls and ensuring comprehensive tracking support for the complex manufacturing of medical devices.

Healthy Supply Chain Management

ERP systems for the medical device manufacturing industry offer robust support for supply chain management. Businesses can easily manage various aspects, including the Approved Supplier List (ASL), tracking, manufacturing documentation, data reporting, validation and revalidation, risk assessment, and quality control and inspection.

Seamless ERP Integrations

The most effective ERP systems are tailored to seamlessly integrate with existing systems and software. Customized ERP systems provide a unified approach to operational management, allowing for flexible software integrations under a single system. For instance, integration with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) provides crucial data insights while safeguarding data and permissions. ERP systems collaborate with and enhance existing systems, enabling businesses in the medical device manufacturing industry to focus on quality and efficiency in supplying and distributing medical devices.

 

The Longevity of Med Device Manufacturing 

In a world where medical devices like artificial hips and knees are essential and can change lives, ERP systems emerge as crucial tools for meeting industry demands. A fully-customizable ERP system offers comprehensive data tracking and supply chain management, alongside flexibility in system and software integrations. Implementation of effective ERP systems empowers businesses to gain insights into their manufacturing processes, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity. A unified system with vital software integrations allows businesses to prioritize fulfilling essential orders and providing individuals with the medical devices they need.

Where Security Takes the Pulse

Meet ECHO, EstesGroup’s cloud solution for complex application management. In the rapidly evolving landscape of medical device manufacturing, top-tier security and cloud solutions stand as the vanguards of fortified operations. Paired seamlessly with effective ERP systems, these cutting-edge technologies offer a robust shield against potential threats. Advanced security protocols embedded within the cloud infrastructure provide an extra layer of protection for sensitive data, ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards.

Global Health Requires Private Cloud ERP

Cloud solutions enable manufacturers to securely store and access critical information, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment. This integrated approach not only enhances the resilience of the manufacturing process but also aligns with the industry’s commitment to delivering high-quality, life-changing medical devices. As the medical manufacturing sector embraces innovation, the synergy between ERP, top-tier security, and cloud solutions emerges as a formidable force, propelling the industry towards a future of heightened efficiency and reliability.

Epicor Kinetic Cloud Options: Cloud Mastery for Manufacturers

Epicor Kinetic Cloud Options: Cloud Mastery for Manufacturers

Do you understand your Epicor Kinetic cloud options compared to on-prem ERP history?

In the realm of managed service providers (MSPs) and systems integrators (SIs), the names of giant cloud computing corporations like Azure and Google often loom large. However, the allure of these industry giants doesn’t always translate into the best choice for manufacturers and distributors seeking cloud solutions. Did you know that Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software comes with many deployment possibilities? Let’s have a closer look at how manufacturers can benefit from knowing their options when it comes to a solution like Epicor Kinetic ERP.

Epicor Kinetic Cloud Options

On-premise ERP isn’t exactly a thing of the past.

As a provider specializing in tailored solutions for all cloud-based services, EstesGroup offers personalized white-glove on-premise and in-the-cloud services that can align seamlessly with the unique needs of manufacturers and distributors, ensuring optimal outcomes and growth. But not all manufacturers will benefit from a move to the cloud. Some manufacturers benefit from a slower migration to full-cloud implementation. Herein lies the value of opting for a custom white-glove ERP consultancy for all of your technology needs that will support your unique ERP deployment:

  • On-premise ERP deployment: On-premise ERP deployment involves hosting the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software within an organization’s physical servers and infrastructure, providing direct control but requiring on-site management and maintenance.
  • Vendor-controlled deployment (Software as a Service or SaaS): Vendor-controlled deployment, commonly known as Software as a Service (SaaS), entails accessing ERP software hosted and managed by a third-party provider.
  • Private cloud deployment: Private cloud deployment involves hosting ERP applications on a dedicated cloud infrastructure exclusively for one organization. This option provides enhanced security, control, and customization compared to public cloud solutions.
  • Hybrid cloud deployment with custom integrations and software solutions: Hybrid cloud deployment combines on-premise, private, and public cloud solutions, allowing organizations to tailor their ERP strategy. Custom integrations and software solutions bridge different environments, offering flexibility, scalability, and efficient data management.

The best ERP deployment for your business begins with the best strategy for your business. With two decades of experience in ERP, the EstesGroup team comes to you with a full suite of on-premise and cloud-based expertise. 

Who doesn’t need customization and dedicated support?

If you are a growing manufacturing company, you will need to know that your ERP system and its underlying technology can support your ongoing operations, ensuring your successful future. Unlike the “big cloud” counterparts, custom white-glove cloud providers such as EstesGroup steer away from one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, they empower organizations, like manufacturers and distributors, to customize and refine their solutions to match distinct requirements and unique teams.

Rather than contending with universal approaches and impersonal support, choosing a custom white-glove cloud provider allows manufacturers and distributors to craft tailored solutions and gain the personalized support they need. With a complex ERP system like Epicor Kinetic, you will need personalized support on both the functional and the technical end. EstesGroup provides unparalleled individual attention and support for manufacturing ERP solutions, allowing you to make the best choice for deployment when considering all of your Epicor Kinetic cloud options compared to on-premise deployment options. Partnering with EstesGroup offers exceptional flexibility and reliability while keeping costs for services and tools well within target.

Do your Epicor Kinetic cloud options come with hidden fees?

In addition to customization and support, partnerships with custom white-glove cloud providers like EstesGroup aid manufacturers and distributors in selecting cloud solutions that align with their budgets. The approaches of larger cloud computing companies can often be intricate and challenging to migrate, leading many organizations to contend with hidden fees that adversely impact their budgets.

For the ultimate ERP experience, choose an expert ERP and IT consultancy, ensuring that your team can comprehend solutions, pricing models, and contracts with clarity. The simplicity of your cloud solutions and transparent pricing and fee schedules are invaluable benefits of choosing a custom white-glove cloud provider. Choose a cloud provider that takes pride in its commitment to transparency, a quality often overshadowed when dealing with larger cloud computing companies. This transparency allows your organization to stay on budget, reduce costs, and expect effortless growth.

Navigating the selection process for a cloud computing partner can be a formidable task.

For manufacturers and distributors, choosing a custom white-glove cloud provider like EstesGroup over industry giants like Azure and Google could prove to be the superior option. A partnership with EstesGroup grants organizations the flexibility to choose customized plans, transparency in solutions, pricing models, and contracts, along with the essential support, reliability, and performance. Rather than grappling with universal approaches and hidden fees, a custom cloud provider assists manufacturers and distributors in tailoring solutions to their specific needs while staying on budget.

An Introduction to the SYSPRO Database

An Introduction to the SYSPRO Database

An Introduction to the SYSPRO SQL Database Structure

In the early versions of SYSPRO, the ERP’s data was entirely stored in C-ISAM files. These C-ISAM files were essentially text files containing system data. They could cause a lot of trouble if you had to investigate or troubleshoot data problems as they were lacking a stable framework to review and analyze them. Thankfully, a modern SQL database structure was introduced between SYSPRO 6.1 and 7. In today’s SYSPRO 8 version, essentially all components of the ERP have now been converted and are stored in traditional SQL database tables. Knowing what SYSPRO’s database looks like becomes a vital tool if you are tasked to troubleshoot data problems, analyze company data, or build SQL queries to pull data for custom reports.

SYSPRO SQL Database Structure

So what does a SYSPRO database structure look like? 

The “System-Wide” Database

Both SYSPRO 7 and SYSPRO 8 contain what SYSPRO calls the “system-wide” database. While the name of the database can be customized to the business’ liking, it is commonly named “sysprodb” by default. The database contains information about operators, administrative settings, system information, and licensing details. Any data pertaining to system-wide configurations that span all SYSPRO companies will be found in this database. Particularly important tables to take note of in this database are:

  • AdmOperator – Contains data of all operators on file in SYSPRO along with their role, group, and other access level details. 
  • AdmSysVersion – Header table containing the database version details of the SYSPRO environment.
  • SysproAdmin – Table containing a list of the companies in your SYSPRO environment. This table becomes relevant when creating test companies or setting up SYSPRO’s default test databases. 

The Company Databases

Each company created in SYSPRO will have its own database and default company tables. By default, SYSPRO names these companies ‘SysproCompany’ along with the company’s ID at the end. Ex, SysproCompanyT, SysproCompanyA, etc. These are the databases where your company’s transactional data is stored. 

At a first glance, these databases can be overwhelming. A standard SYSPRO database can have over 1000 tables in it. The good thing is that while this full list of tables compromises all of SYSPRO’s functionality, it is unlikely that your environment is both licensed and actively using SYSPRO’s full suite of products. This means that most of these tables will be empty and will not be worth much of your attention.

Instead, there are about 25 – 50 tables in any given environment that sees most of the action. To provide a cheat sheet, here are some of the commonly used tables in SYSPRO that are essential to the daily use of SYSPRO:

  • ApInvoice – Supplier invoices
  • ApSupplier – Supplier header details
  • ApSupplierAddr – Addresses for the suppliers
  • ArCustomer – Customer header details
  • ArInvoice – Customer invoices
  • ArTrnDetail – Details about each invoice. Used extensively for sales reporting
  • BomOperations – Operations against a BOM
  • BomStructure – Structure against a BOM
  • InvMaster – Master for all stock codes in SYSPRO
  • InvMovements – Inventory transaction details against each SKU
  • InvPrice – Sell prices against each SKU
  • InvWarehouse – Master table for inventory counts of each SKU
  • PorMasterHdr – Purchase order header
  • PorMasterDetail – Purchase order details
  • SorMaster – Sales order master
  • SorDetail – Sales order details
  • WipMaster – Master for jobs
  • WipJobAllLab – Labor details against jobs
  • WipJobAllMat – Material details against jobs
  • WipJobPost – History of material/labor issued to jobs

The “Deployment” Database

Unique to SYSPRO 8, this database handles information relating to the release version of your SYSPRO environment. The “SYSPRO 8 Installer” tool uses this database exclusively to verify which products are available to you and whether any recent updates have become available. In addition, it contains information about which machines have SYSPRO clients installed on them and which versions they have installed. 

Admins, do you grasp the SYSPRO database structure for efficient data troubleshooting and analysis?

This covers the databases you will see in a usual SYSPRO environment. Knowing what SYSPRO’s database structure looks like is essential for any SYSPRO admin to effectively be able to find, troubleshoot, and analyze vital company data.