| Manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler profiled why | | | | International and Enterprise 21 Food ERP, says, "Many |
| food companies face ERP (Enterprise Resource | | | | vertical ERP applications in the food sector lack strong |
| Planning) functionality problems in the current issue of | | | | financials and must integrate with bolt-on third party |
| the Food and Beverage Journal. According to Cutler, | | | | systems." The ERP functionality should also include |
| The plant floor automation issues unique to the | | | | complete multi-company, multi-currency, and financial |
| food manufacturing sector are significant. Finding an | | | | reporting capacity. |
| ERP system, which addresses the idiosyncratic nature | | | | Many companies within the food and beverage |
| of food manufacturing, is not easily accomplished. | | | | industry struggle due to lack of system integration and |
| Despite claims, promises, and elements for success, | | | | poor visibility of major business functions. Food quality |
| few ERP vendors are comprehensive in providing the | | | | managers do not want to simply manage their |
| full spectrum of needed functionality. | | | | business; they want to lead and direct the future of |
| The plant floor automation issues include the following: | | | | their company. Today's food management executives |
| - Online tracking of engineering change orders with | | | | need real-time sophisticated tools to make educated |
| electronic routings for approvals. | | | | decisions. |
| - System generated BOMs and routings for configured | | | | The complete feature article may be viewed at: |
| products. | | | | About Technology Group International, Ltd. |
| - System generated production schedules from MRP | | | | Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, |
| module. | | | | Technology Group International is a proven technology |
| - Automatic yielding for finished goods and BOM | | | | leader delivering Tier 1 application software functionality |
| components/ingredients. | | | | at a price performance level that can be readily |
| - Where used and mass replace capabilities. | | | | accepted by organizations of all sizes. Specializing in |
| - System generated work orders for make to order | | | | software solutions for small and mid-market |
| environments. | | | | manufacturing and distribution companies, TGI’s |
| - Fully attributed inventory from order entry through | | | | integrated Enterprise Series software suite is a |
| production and shipping. | | | | complete business process management solution. The |
| - Online order promising by exploding the multi-level | | | | product offering includes Enterprise Resources |
| BOM, reviewing BOM stocking levels, and production | | | | Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Resource Planning |
| space. | | | | (MRP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Warehouse |
| - Online messaging for production managers on plant | | | | Management System (WMS), Advanced Planning and |
| floor exceptions. | | | | Scheduling (APS), Decision Support System (DSS), |
| - Integrated dashboards for management's KPIs. | | | | Business Intelligence (BI), Manufacturing Execution |
| Finding a balance between industry sector nuance and | | | | System (MES), and eCommerce. TGI implements, |
| a solid core ERP system is tricky. The basic ERP | | | | maintains, enhances, and supports its packaged |
| functions are often lacking when the focus is too | | | | distribution and manufacturing software solutions |
| heavy on the bells and whistles. Rebecca Gill, | | | | directly and via its channel partners. |
| Vice-President of Toledo-based Technology Group | | | | |