1. Introduction

Manufacturing Systems Development and Implementation service is designed to help manufacturing organizations better use ERP, and was conceived and developed to respond to the demonstrated need for advice on numerous computer applications and management issues. The goal of the Manufacturing Systems Development and Implementation problem solving service is to bridge this gap by providing accurate information that translates into direct payoffs for manufacturers and their markets.

In the past, manufacturers have used new technology to meet increased production demands. Productivity improves when more products can be produced without a proportional increase in investment or when the same level of production can be maintained for less. The quest for improved productivity through technological applications has been most noticeable in the manufacturing engineering area in which substitution of machines (or capital) for labour has increased the hourly output of manufactured items.

Unlike manufacturing engineering technologies with productivity-improving potential, ERP can directly affect both direct and indirect costs in the manufacturing industry. ERP coordinates strategic and detail-level planning as well as integrating finance, marketing, manufacturing, engineering, and distribution efforts to fulfill and maintain these plans. The ability of the computer to integrate these areas provides the most technological promise for improving productivity. As manufacturing operations grow more complex, the computer will become increasingly important in implementing organizational mandates.

Manufacturing Systems Development and Implementation service seeks to provide timely and expert information on the most important aspects of the ERP package and is aimed at six groups of readers:

• Executive management who must make policy for and oversee the application of information systems to business functions.
• Information Systems managers and staff who provide computerized ERP services to users.
• Project managers, staff, analysts, and other users who are responsible for ensuring that information systems meet objectives.
• Operations managers and staff who must rely on computer-generated data to forecast resource requirements to support and plan production priority, to distribute finished goods promptly and efficiently, and to recommend action to top policy makers.
• Managers and trainers responsible for training staff or users in the principles of computerized ERP applications.
• Consultants who assist clients to implement ERP systems.

Each group will find sections in the services relevant to its particular concerns. Managers and staff involved extensively with computerized ERP applications will find it useful to investigate all aspects of ERP.