Introduction
Manufacturing is a complex process that requires precision, coordination, and real-time insights into every step of production. NetSuite’s Advanced Manufacturing module extends the capabilities of traditional ERP systems by offering additional tools to manage key aspects of manufacturing, such as work centers, routings, and resources. Whether you’re looking to optimize your workforce, track downtime, or manage capacity efficiently, Advanced Manufacturing provides the visibility and control needed to improve your processes from start to finish. In this blog, we’ll explore how features like Work Centers, Downtime Categories, and Finite Capacity Scheduling enhance your ability to streamline operations and boost overall efficiency within NetSuite.
What is Advanced Manufacturing?
NetSuite’s Advanced Manufacturing extends the platform’s functionality by introducing a series of additional records such as work centers, routings, and resources (both labor and machine). These records allow manufacturers to track various aspects of the production process in greater detail, leading to better insights into efficiency and identifying areas for improvement.
Streamlining Operations with Work Centers
A key feature of Advanced Manufacturing is the implementation of Work Centers, which allow for the organization of personnel and equipment to efficiently carry out specific tasks within the production process..These could range from Manufacturing and Quality Control to Packing, depending on the nature of the operations.
In each Work Center, you can track the hours available to work daily, manage Rough Cut Capacity to evaluate demand versus available resources, and specify both Head Count (number of operators) and Machine Count for reporting purposes. This setup provides manufacturers with a clear overview of resource availability, helping them ensure smooth operations and meet production deadlines.
Tracking Downtime and Material Loss
After setting up Work Centers, the next step in optimizing manufacturing is minimizing downtime. Advanced Manufacturing allows manufacturers to track downtime events through Downtime Categories and Downtime Reasons.
Downtime Categories represent broad issues that can cause delays, such as maintenance, repair, or setup, while Downtime Reasons provide specific causes like emergency stops, waiting on materials, or operator delays. Using barcode scanning technology, operators can log these downtime events, providing real-time visibility into production issues.
Similarly, Material Loss Categories and Reasons let users track and categorize material waste. Categories could include standard processing or shop floor losses, with specific reasons like container breakage or spoilage offering insights into where materials are being lost. This level of detail enables manufacturers to address inefficiencies and reduce waste, ultimately driving cost savings and improving process efficiency.
Enhance Your Manufacturing Operations Today
Take full advantage of NetSuite’s Advanced Manufacturing module to streamline production processes, manage resources more effectively, and improve overall efficiency.
Request a DemoEnsuring Skill Alignment with Labor Codes
In addition to managing machinery and materials, having the right personnel in place is critical. This is where Labor Codes come into play. Labor Codes specify the skills required for each operation, ensuring that only properly trained and qualified workers are assigned to certain tasks. This reduces downtime caused by unskilled workers and minimizes the risk of mistakes.
By aligning skills with tasks, manufacturers can avoid disruptions in the production line, thereby optimizing overall efficiency.
Managing the Shop Floor with Work Order Travelers
Advanced Manufacturing also provides tools to ensure the shop floor operates smoothly. One such tool is the Work Order Traveler, which is a document generated for each work order that provides essential information like process steps, materials required, and work instructions.
Work Order Travelers also support barcodes, allowing for easy scanning and tracking for companies that use mobile scanners on the shop floor. These travelers are fully customizable, enabling manufacturers to include unique account data that aligns with their business needs.
By giving employees, the right information at the right time, Work Order Travelers reduce errors and improve operational efficiency.
Further Reading: Manufacturing Efficiency with NetSuite Advanced Bill of Materials
Gaining Visibility with Finite Capacity Scheduling
A crucial component of managing production effectively is scheduling tasks based on available resources. NetSuite’s Finite Capacity Scheduling ensures that work orders are released only when the required resources—both machines and labor—are available.
This scheduling method takes both current and future capacity into account and allows manufacturers to set concurrencies, meaning multiple operations can run simultaneously when resources allow. This helps optimize resource usage and keeps production running at maximum efficiency without overwhelming any part of the system.
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Request a DemoConclusion
By leveraging the capabilities of NetSuite’s Advanced Manufacturing module, companies can gain better insight and control over their entire manufacturing process. From organizing resources through Work Centers to tracking downtime and material loss, to using Finite Capacity Scheduling for effective planning, NetSuite provides the tools manufacturers need to enhance efficiency and drive process improvements. With detailed reporting and real-time tracking, manufacturers can make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes across the board.
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