How ERP software can improve communication

When thinking about tools that can help you to better communicate with your customers, the first software that will generally spring to mind will undoubtedly be CRM – Customer Relationship Management. While CRM will provide you with the right tools for sending communications, knowing what to send and why can prove a little more challenging! It’s actually your manufacturing software that holds the key here, as it can help you to identify unique trends on a per-customer basis.

Fostering Effective Communication

Strong communication is a cornerstone of any prosperous manufacturing organisation. By breaking down barriers between internal departments, as well as promoting direct and efficient communication with your external suppliers, partners and customers, manufacturing software can significantly contribute to thriving operations.

No longer hindered by inter-departmental walls surrounding information, the right manufacturing software empowers your business with real-time access to crucial data, promoting more informed decision-making processes and greater cross-function collaboration. The result is an agile business model capable of adapting quickly to industry needs and capitalising on emerging trends.

Navigating the World of Personalisation

In an age where customers increasingly expect bespoke experiences, businesses must embrace personalisation to stay ahead. The right manufacturing software can effectively analyse customer behaviour patterns, enabling manufacturers to tailor their offerings and respond proactively to customer preferences.

For instance, if buyers consistently purchase a specific product, the software will promptly identify this trend. This invaluable insight can inform targeted marketing promotions, subsequently providing customers with relevant information about products they are interested in. Not only does this encourage customer loyalty, but it also boosts the potential for upselling.

Empowering Sales Teams through Data-Driven Strategies

The power of manufacturing software extends beyond streamlining processes—it also presents a valuable avenue for sales teams to tailor data-driven strategies. By equipping representatives with comprehensive insight into buying trends and preferences, they can respond proactively to market changes, craft compelling strategies, and develop long-lasting customer relationships.

The end goal is not just increased sales but creating sustainable business practices that focus on understanding customers and anticipating their requirements.

Examples of manufacturing software providing personalised experiences

Here are some real-world examples of how companies employed manufacturing software to deliver a more tailored experience to their customers, often seeing side-benefits that further add to their bottom line.

Bespoke pricing and price lists: Certain industries, such as metals and electronics, can have volatile pricing, which can be difficult to manage if you operate in a market that requires custom pricing for larger clients. A die casting manufacturer had to deal with high fluctuations in the price of zinc, which previously took one day per quarter creating bespoke pricing. After replacing their ERP they could output prices, modify them in Excel and re-import them within 20 minutes. Prices could also be linked to customers and changed automatically as the raw material price changed.

Geographical data: By being able to easily create a list of customers in a physical geographic location, companies that often deal face-to-face can make their traveling time far more efficient and effective. A yacht canopy company used ERP software to easily let customers that kept their boats in the vicinity know when they were attending local events. It was also useful when sales staff were travelling to a specific area, to see if there were other prospects or customers that they could visit.

Selecting the Right Manufacturing Software: A Path to Success

Harnessing the right manufacturing software can have a profound effect on your business, outside of the benefits you would normally expect to see from it. From enhanced communication to improved personalisation, such systems can support the efforts of your sales team over and above simple CRM.

While it’s true to say that your staff know your business best, they will be able to communicate far more effectively with the right information. By having this information available, your customers will feel that you truly understand their business and are able to meet their needs, often before they know it themselves.