Tips & Tools

Building the engineer-to-order company of tomorrow

Total ETO

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Waiting for a competitor to transform the industry creates a layer of disruption that can potentially leave your company scrambling to play catch up.

 

For Engineer To Order manufacturers, innovative new processes are developed regularly and can a revise company’s best practices or undercut current industry leaders.

 

In many ways, Engineer To Order manufacturers manufacturers must constantly remain ahead of the curve. This requires updating and incorporating new technological tools to create the company of tomorrow. And what will the Engineer To Order manufacturers company of the future look like?

 

Integrating departments

The Hannover Messe recently saw engineers, policymakers and top executives from leading industrial groups convene at the the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology. With a focus on digitalization and integration of various phases of the production processed, the convention offered a glimpse into the future of smart technology and new ideas for the world of manufacturing.

 

“Engineer To Order companies need to take full advantage of enterprise resource planning solutions.”

Some of the highlights from the event included forums on the latest technologies, business models and standards for the integrated industry. Additionally, there were discussions on the complete supply chain, among other ways to incorporate integration into the manufacturing process and how this trend will transform the industry. Although manufacturers have been integrating data from sensors and instrumentation on shop floors for years, more Engineer To Order manufacturers companies need to take full advantage of enterprise resource planning solutions.

 

The Engineer To Order manufacturers executives must integrate their design and programming tools to streamline operations and create the company of tomorrow. Total ETO, a configurable ERP system, integrates the entire custom-design process, from prospecting and ideation through engineering, across the shop floor and into the shipping pallets.

 

Going green

Implementing sustainable processes and operations is not a fading trend, and the Engineer To Order manufacturers job shop of tomorrow will have greater energy efficiencies and lower emissions. With both financial benefits and tax incentives in many places, more companies have taken aim at their energy consumption as a line item that can be lowered. By achieving these savings, it would allow the enterprises to re-allocate resources to invest in other areas, such as R&D or buying new equipment.

 

As countries and local governments around the world continue to push for stricter pollution and consumption laws, even companies that do not have a major energy component may still face challenges improving their bottom lines while remaining compliant with new regulations. By taking proactive steps to locate areas to improve energy efficiency and lower emissions, ETO manufacturers can stay a step ahead.

 

One way many commercial enterprises of all sizes in a range of industries have begun taking the initiative is by installing solar panels. Utilizing solar power acts as a way to cut energy costs and ensure the enterprise’s long-term financial viability. With solar panels becoming more efficient every year and with many financing options available, engineer-to-order manufacturers can start seeing a strong ROI in no time.

 

Plus, this offers a chance for the company’s engineers to work on a fun, new project and learn about the way the solar panels convert sunlight to energy. Further, companies can showcase their dedication to sustainable energy sources in marketing material.

 

Another way many companies are going green is by joining the North American Energy Management Pilot Program. According to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, the program “offers personalized training and coaching to implement an energy management system focused on improvement and identify energy cost-saving opportunities.”

 

More precise data

Simple, single point Excel spreadsheets that require duplicate entries and siloed data storage simply won’t cut it in the Engineer To Order manufacturers company of tomorrow. Using Total ETO, designers and buyers at custom design job shops gain the ability to cost out the bill of materials in advance of the purchase, eliminating surprises or unforeseen expenses down the road. The software includes “what if” versioning, which lets you record alternative estimates for a job, making your company of tomorrow more aligned with the price points of tomorrow as well. Further, project managers can review committed and actual costing, resulting in an early warning system for alerting managers when a project starts to exceed its budget.

 

By implementing highly specialized technology such as Total ETO today, Engineer To Order manufacturers manufacturing companies can ensure they have the best financial position today to thrive tomorrow.

 

Learn more about Total ETO by requesting a demo today.

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