Have you set your goals for your Engineer-to-Order or Project Based manufacturing business in the new year? Here are some common goals and areas where Jobscope excels:

1. Improve Project Management and Lead Time Reduction

• Goal: Reduce lead times and improve the efficiency of project execution from order to delivery.
• Action Steps:
  • Implement project management software or tools specifically designed for ETO businesses.
  • Standardize project workflows and optimize the design-to-manufacturing handoff.
  • Establish better coordination between sales, engineering, and production teams to ensure smoother project flow.
  • Set benchmarks for key project milestones and track them in real-time to identify delays early.
  • Reduce bottlenecks by refining task prioritization and improving internal communication.
  • Improve collaboration with customer input prompts.

2. Enhance Engineering Efficiency

• Goal: Improve the speed and accuracy of custom engineering designs.
• Action Steps:
  • Invest in advanced CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tools or PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems for faster and more collaborative design processes and integrate that process more seamlessly with your ERP.
  • Standardize design templates or modular components for common design elements to save time and reduce errors.
  • Provide continuous training to engineers on new tools, design best practices, and software updates. 
  • Implement cost estimation tools that allow for quick quoting based on custom specifications, reducing lead times and increasing accuracy.

3. Improve Supply Chain Management for Custom Parts

• Goal: Optimize the procurement and delivery of custom materials, components, and subassemblies.
• Action Steps:
  • Build stronger relationships with suppliers to ensure they can meet the demands for specialized and custom components on time.
  • Implement supplier performance metrics to track delivery times, quality, and responsiveness.
  • Use just-in-time or consignment inventory models for critical custom parts to reduce stockholding costs.
  • Explore strategic partnerships with suppliers for co-engineering custom solutions that align with your design and production needs.
  • Utilize demand forecasting and inventory management systems to better predict material needs for upcoming projects.

4. Cost Control and Accurate Project Pricing

• Goal: Enhance pricing accuracy and control costs across each custom project.
• Action Steps:
  • Develop a standardized cost estimation process, accounting for all variables, including material, labor, overhead, and custom engineering hours.
  • Implement ERP software with project cost tracking functionality to monitor ongoing project expenses and profitability.
  • Regularly review and update cost estimations and pricing models to reflect changes in material costs, labor rates, and market conditions.
  • Conduct post-project reviews to identify discrepancies between initial estimates and final costs, refining future cost estimates accordingly.

5. Improve After-Sales Support and Service

• Goal: Enhance after-sales service and support for custom-engineered products.
• Action Steps:
  • Set up a dedicated service team to address installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex custom products.
  • Collect detailed feedback after installation to improve future designs and services.
  • Efficiently quote replacement parts and spares.
  • Leverage ERP data to instantly know the as-installed unit at the customer facility.

6. Improve Financial Management and Cash Flow

• Goal: Optimize cash flow management while managing the extended lead times and project complexity typical in ETO manufacturing.
• Action Steps:
  • Use progress billing or milestone payments for large projects to maintain cash flow throughout the lifecycle of the order.
  • Set up clear financial tracking for each custom project to ensure you remain within budget and make adjustments early if necessary.
  • Use financial modeling to anticipate cash flow impacts based on upcoming orders, long-term projects, and payment schedules.

These are all areas where Jobscope can help in the new year.  Jobscope has the most solid track record in the ERP software sector of on-time and on-budget delivery of solutions for Engineer-to-Order, Make-to-Order, and Project Based Manufacturing. 

Contact Jobscope or view our demo to learn more.