The establishment of foreign production sites is associated with high investments. In order to ensure the profitability and competitiveness of these foreign locations, the ERP structure must be able to adapt to the respective situation in the country or continental region concerned. The Potsdam Consulting Group has developed a procedure for the internationalization of ERP systems in cooperation with the Chair of Business Informatics, Processes and Systems at the University of Potsdam.  Based on an analysis of existing ERP structures in the international application environment, a target model for the distribution of the ERP task is conceptualized and prepared for implementation according to the individual company requirements. The competitive advantages of the individual companies will be taken into account in order to achieve an economical international ERP use that corresponds to the respective market position. Download PDF

The choice of a new ERP system comes with a high risk that, typically, only begins to show in the introduction stage or even later in the operation of the system, as to the amount of damage and its consequences. At the same time, most ERP systems are now highly adaptable thanks to their technology and architecture, so that small changes to the functionality and data model can easily be made during the introduction stage. Therefore, the main goal in the selection is to reduce the risk of choosing the wrong system.This article describes how, through focussing on typical functional features of a company and evaluating the economical benefit, a new ERP system can be selected. Download PDF

The organisation of maintenance that guarantees a smooth ERP operation has a considerable impact on the performance and productivity of the processes displayed on the ERP system. Often, however, this sector remains disregarded, although massive evidence suggest a low level of user satisfaction. This article shows frequent reasons of shortcomings in the organisation of maintenance and suggests a catalogue of measures to eliminate those shortcomings that is based on experiences from practical projects. Download PDF

Deficits in mapping business processes in the existing system are a common reason to introduce a new ERP system. However, even with existing ERP systems, business processes can be clearly improved, as show various examples in the consulting experience of the author. For this reason, this article illustrates how business processes can be improved in the first instance, before defining the relevance of the ERP systems. The article particularly deals with the possibilities of improving business processes, even without introducing a new ERP system. Download PDF

For some 20 years, ERP selection methods have been run on seemingly proven principles. Numerous consultants have established themselves and swear by their own favoured way of selecting a new ERP system for a company or a public institution. But the assumptions on which selection processes were made in the past can no longer be kept up. There are more and more problems linked to promises made by vendors in the selection phase that lead to serious exceedances in time and costs in the introduction phase – because they have not proven to be solid. Download PDF

While reducing the insecurity of choice is the main goal in the ERP selection, the ERP introduction aims at the economical mapping of the value-adding business processes in the new ERP system. This article describes the individual tasks that need to be fulfilled in the course of the introduction phase, in order to guarantee a successful ERP introduction. In doing so, the article follows a procedure model that has been proven in use. Download PDF

For commercial enterprises, the administration and maintenance of the categorised inventory is one of the most important tasks. Given the increasing pressure through multi-channel strategies, increasing negotiating power of the customers and eroding margins on brand products, multidimensional efforts are required in order to remain profitable. This article firstly outlines the initial situation, approaches to problem solving and achieved results at an electronics company, before considering the role of the ERP system in the category management. Download PDF

Adaptability to environmental turbulences is one of the most important qualities an organisation needs in today’s competitive environment. But how are appropriate qualities, that lead to an improved adaptability, identified and turned into action, according to each company’s specific needs? This article gives answers to those questions. Download PDF

In addition to operational and planning functions in the ERP system, many companies today have a need for fast and prompt generation and management of effective data from the production sector. This task is typically run by Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). The following article explains a goal-oriented approach to selecting MES systems and points out what is to be especially considered in practice, apart from a functional differentiation of the systems. Download PDF

Beginning with a definition of productivity, this article denotes measures to increase productivity in a factory. With the help of practical examples, ten potential improvements are identified and summarised into recommendations for action. Download PDF