https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

The Fabulous Future of Fabricated Metal

8th April 2016

  

Font size: - +

The metal fabrication industry worldwide has faced many challenges over the past decade, from volatile commodity prices, to shrinking markets.  Businesses are increasingly being pressured into relooking at the way they do things.

South Africa is no different; competition in the market is fierce with many clients pursuing cheaper options offshore, in countries like China and India. Other major issues, such as fluctuations in material pricing, shifting customer expectations for price and quality,  legacy IT hardware and software that limits business agility, a need to provide more precise estimates to customers, and outdated shop equipment, all add up to create an operational climate in which archaic technological limitations can no longer be tolerated.If fabricators want to survive, they must innovate.

Technology is playing a major role in overcoming industry challenges
The 21st century manufacturer under-stands the need to be agile, flexible and responsive. They require a software solution that supports the use of whatever production methods are appropriate.

The software also needs to provide visibility through the manufacturing chain ñ back to suppliers, along the production process, and up to customers. It must be able to integrate with other systems in the production environment.

Furthermore, in the modern customer centric world, organisations need to move from being purely transaction-focused to being more relationship oriented, and to improve connections and communication, both internally and externally.

Operations technology or OT, are the systems that are unique to an industryís specific operational demands. In the case of metal fabrication, this means the core shop floor machinery. Solutions that cut with greater precision and reduce waste are becoming popular across the sector. Tools that drive efficiency through new techniques are also rising, allowing fewer workers to get more done.

IT systems can optimise processes
Even the most efficient OT system requires optimised processes in order to derive long-term value. This is where IT systems come in to play: they gather data throughout the organisation, house it securely where it can be accessed by different types of applications, and support all workflows. In particular, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are gaining momentum as an invaluable all-purpose tool for metal fabricators.

ERP software features end-to-end processes that cover different parts of the business, like customer relationship management, business intelligence etc.

The right ERP software may be the difference between surviving and thriving. It provides a fully integrated solution with a comprehensive set of tools to help manufacturers plan, execute and control production in discrete, job shop, process or mixed-mode manufacturing environments.

Ensuring a competitive job shop environment
Remaining competitive and profitable in a job shop environment demands flexibility, speed and accuracy in meeting customer requirements. ERP provides an end-to-end solution for make-to-order manufacturers by helping to streamline quote-to-invoice processes and improve operational, planning and financial management.

A comprehensive solution helps job shop operators manage the challenges inherent in the custom-order fulfilment process, including improving customer collaboration and service, ensuring quality and on-time delivery, maintaining accurate job costing and pricing, and optimising shop floor scheduling and sequencing.

Leveraging the power of ERP
OT advances are laying the foundation for major gains in the metal fabrication sector, and IT solutions like ERP provide a layer of data-driven intelligence that organisations need to get the most out of their investments. By leveraging the power of the right ERP technology and features, you can streamline your processes and gain complete visibility of the  shared business intelligence across your operations.

The changing metal fabrication land-scape requires an increase in agility and flexibility in order to adapt rapidly to market forces. An ERP system ensures continuity in value delivery direct to customers, where fabricators can leverage enterprise-wise capabilities.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

Array
Array

Showroom

Alco-Safe
Alco-Safe

An unmanned breathalyser that is made to be tough and simple to use. Can be used in any environment for operator-free breathalyser testing.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.059 0.11s - 139pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now