Key Takeaways
- Engineer To Order manufacturers require ETO software that can assist in R&D, streamline communication, and centralize data.
- Manufacturing software for small businesses has become more popular in recent years. However, it’s still hard to find compatible software in ETO.
- Studies have shown that Custom Machine Builders who try too hard to repurpose software for repetitive manufacturers end up losing time and money to make the tech fit their unique workflow.
Engineer To Order companies naturally generate a unique workflow. Their complex innovation requires uniquely tailored managerial approaches to streamline all these diverse processes.
Often, this requires plant managers to adopt and redesign paradigms and business models from other sectors, such as iterative manufacturing. Transforming repetitive processes, however, into support for Engineer To Order products can create more problems than solutions.
An R&D-Heavy Sector
Engineer To Order manufacturers heavily rely on the research and development phase. Each product is unique and requires extensive R&D. Before production starts, manufacturers must ensure to create and follow the necessary processes.
Not all enterprises can ensure no data goes missing during product construction. Engineer To Order companies require streamlined communication and centralized data storage. Having this data together in an accessible spot for every department increases productivity and reduces errors. Your team can optimize their workflow and complete more projects in less time. AutomationMag emphasized the importance of integrated manufacturing software for small business, tracking the entire process. Engineers can focus on product configuration without missing crucial information.
Dismissing Existing Tools
Much like the unique products built by ETO manufacturers, the processes these companies use are also one of a kind. Because of this, Custom Machine Builders can’t simply rely on the same tools and systems used by iterative manufacturers.
The article Engineer To Order Production Planning and Control shows us when ETO manufacturers attempt to repurpose existing information and communication technology or software used by repetitive manufacturers, it often leads to a host of problems. The needs of these organizations are vastly different. Iterative manufacturers know what materials they need well in advance and keep significant volumes of stock to ensure uninterrupted production.
Engineer To Order organizations rarely keep stock except for raw materials and leftover parts. Each job requires unique parts, making future needs unpredictable. That’s why these organizations are often called “job shops” for their project-specific part purchasing.
As projects are unique, they create challenges during the pricing and estimating phase, sometimes requiring engineers to begin preliminary designs. Some custom design manufacturers go as far as designing the entire BOM to get preliminary costing data, so they can be extra precise when quoting. All of this means extra attention is needed when tracking actual and committed costs. All costs must be attributed to a project and sub-projects, sometimes even down to the specific assembly, to get a better understanding and control of costs and budget to actual comparisons.
Implementing a Solution
As the “Engineer To Order Production Planning and Control” article noted, there are limited frameworks for managing production in Engineer To Order companies. Fortunately, Total ETO provides manufacturers with a solution to streamline all the information required to create custom products. With an exceptional implementation time frame and at a reasonable cost, small to mid-sized Engineer To Order companies can get the software up and running quickly and affordably without having to wait on extended downtime or rely on in-depth training. Such innovative manufacturing software for small businesses allows managers and workers on the floor to easily familiarize themselves with the program quickly, providing a great return on investment.
Learn more about Total ETO by requesting a demo today!
Written by RJ Ahuja
