ERP systems make many things easier in manufacturing shops. However, there are still gaps in some software packages. For example, if a manufacturer gets a CAD file from one of their customers, it would be easiest for the manufacturer if that CAD file could update in their ERP system. However, for many ERP systems, this…
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As it gets closer to the end of the year, accounting savvy manufacturers will be thinking about how to maximize their tax deduction under Section 179. Not accounting savvy? No problem. Section 179 is essentially part of tax law that allows manufacturers to write off their purchase price for qualifying equipment and/or software that they…
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Many people have the idea that manufacturing has left the US. While it is true that many plants have been moved offshore to other countries, manufacturing as a whole is still alive and well in the US. In fact, it’s getting stronger. Manufacturing is Getting Stronger Far from dying away, manufacturing in America is growing….
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IT costs can add up quickly, but shop owners rarely sit down see how much they’re spending. It can be surprising how much everything costs when you put it all together, especially if you host your ERP software yourself. Below is a list of IT costs that accompany an ERP system if it’s hosted at…
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No one is really ready when disaster hits their shop. However, the more you can prepare before a disaster hits, the better off you’ll be if one does happen. If you have a plan in place, then you don’t have to try to figure out what to do in the middle of a disaster. You…
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Whether you’re changing a process in your shop or implementing new software, there are specific ways to address change in every kind of shop. For instance, just because some things work well for repetitive manufacturers, doesn’t mean they’ll work well for a job shop. You need strategies that work with your shop’s operations. Below are…
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There’s a lot to think about when you’re replacing your legacy ERP system with a new one. One of the biggest considerations is how you’re going to get your data out of your old ERP system and into your new one. While there is no absolute rule that works for everyone when it comes to…
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When you start looking at ways to make your shop more efficient, lean manufacturing is one of the first strategies that come up. Lean manufacturing is a strategy to eliminate waste from your shop. Waste can come in the form of wasted time or resources. Job shops typically find it difficult to use lean manufacturing…
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ERP systems are an integral part of a shop. However, they are less useful when you have to walk back and forth to a computer every time you want to use them. With this in mind, Shoptech has made a number of mobile apps for E2 SHOP available in the App Store or in Google…
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When you think of growing your shop, you probably think about getting more square footage. Sometimes this is the best move for your shop, and sometimes it isn’t. However, there are several ways to find growth in your shop and not all of them involve moving or building an addition. Four ways to grow your…
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If you’ve been using the same ERP system for several years, it might be time for an upgrade. When you bought your system, it was probably on the cutting edge of shop management systems, but technology changes quickly. If you’ve had the same ERP system for several years without updating it, you have a legacy…
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Have you been looking for an easy way to keep your crew on the shop floor informed? Shoptech has come up with a solution that would stop you from having to run down to the floor to deliver news, updates, schedule changes, etc. The Monitor Application is a standalone program, included with the purchase of…
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ERP systems have had a huge impact on manufacturing. Whether you have an ERP system or not, you’ve probably heard about how much they’ve changed the industry. Because of how important they are, it’s a good idea to learn about them. However, ERP systems can be fairly complex, and there’s a lot to know. Continue…
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In an ideal world, every price you quote would be accurate and your shop would always have a high profit margin. However, that sometimes isn’t the case. Quoting jobs can be difficult to do by hand, and having a quick way to look up previous, similar jobs would make it much easier. This is where…
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There is an array of articles about Millennials in the workplace. Now, another generation is coming of age. Gen Z (whose members were born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s) are the “new kids” in the workforce. Fortunately for manufacturers, there are some similarities between what Millennials and what Gen Z want in a workplace….
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Everyone can agree that ERP software makes it easier to run a shop. However, it has to be the right kind of software for your shop, otherwise, everything becomes more difficult. For example, a job shop where every order is unique would need different strengths in their ERP software than a repetitive manufacturer. E2 Software…
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Running a shop comes with all kinds of challenges. While working in a shop can help prepare you for how things work on the shop floor and how to manage the company, it’s much harder to learn how to be a great leader. Below are three practices of great leaders in the manufacturing world. Hire…
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There are many reasons that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, the holiday cheer is infectious, but for manufacturers, it can mean finding unspent money in the yearly budget. In addition to this possibility, the deadline is fast approaching to make any purchases that can be used for tax deductions….
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This is the second post in A Manufacturer’s Guide to Social Media. Read the first post here. Running a social media account for your business can be intimidating. Each social media network has its own personality and purpose, so how do you know which one to use? Don’t panic. The differences are easy to explain….
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No matter how well your shop is doing, a growing shop is always on the lookout for ways to get more customers and build up good will. Social media can do both of these things. It might seem a little strange to put your shop on social media, but it can be a great way…
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MFG Day, according to their website, “is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers…” This celebration has happened on the first Friday in October since 2012. Manufacturers are looking for ways to close the skills gap, and that’s one of the primary goals of MFG Day. If your shop…
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Perhaps this will sound familiar to many of you. You started your shop from nothing, just you and a couple of folks to run the machines. Now your shop has gotten bigger and as your shop has grown, so have your headaches. There isn’t enough time in the day anymore to finish everything and it’s…
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If you’re like most shops, you keep yours running as efficiently as possible. However, there are some areas you could improve upon. Wouldn’t it be great if you could hire one employee to organize everything from your accounting department to the entire shop floor? This one person could instantly give you the information you need…
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You probably know that there are more manufacturing jobs than there are people to fill them now. However, you might not know how large the labor shortage will be. By 2025, the US is projected to need 3.5 million manufacturing jobs filled but only be able to fill 1.5 million. This will leave 2 million…
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Let’s see if this story sounds familiar to you… Tim is the owner of a discrete manufacturing company in the Midwest. From the start, his business has been centered around creating specialty drilling and extracting parts for the shale industry. However, in the last 5 years, the work has expanded from one-off jobs to a…
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