SW compatible Inventory, MRP/ERP, Accounting Package

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive but good SW compatible Inventory, MRP/ERP, Purchasing package. (Like Questica)

I am working my way through the SW Gold Partner listings, but so far all the likely products are way too expensive for my cheapskate bosses.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[EdDanzer]

I doubt any of the information used in SolidWorks will be usable by ERP/MRP. The BOM and file property information is difficult to extract or import.
Back in 1999 I talked to them about changing this, but nothing has happened, as this would be a really big change, and difficult to update old files.

 

[JNR]

I am not sure that is true. There are ways to do this, but it will take considerable effort to set up.

However, when talking inventory/MRP/ERP cheap and good are mutually exclusive as far as I am aware.

John Richards Sr. Mech. Engr.
Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics

There are only 10 types of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

EdDanzer
Actually most of the PDM/MRP/ERP companies claim to be able to import SW data/properties/attributes "seamlessly".

JNR
I guess the term "inexpensive" is subjective, but I was thinking more in thousands of dollars rather than tens of thousands. I wasn't really expecting any real cheapo solutions, but ... if you don't ask ... you don't get!
BTW, good to see you back in action

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[MadMango]

SW data is very east to extract in Excel format for export to other databases.

With a BOM on a drawing, click it, Save As Excel (or something similar). I don't have SW up right now for the true steps, but very easy none the less.

Ray Reynolds
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[EdDanzer]

The problem with exporting Excel files out or importing information in to another package from a SolidWorks file is it is a snap shot of data and not 2 way. This not in real time updating will be no better than manually transferring information. I will only happen if someone makes it happen.
We have many Excel BOM’s that have been exported out for ordering and accounting. If the vendor changes, I have to manually update SolidWorks if someone tells me, other wise the change is lost.
If there was a good cost effective bidirectional ERP package I would like to know.

 

[macPT]

I am with MadMango.

In fact, we use this method in our company. Having a MRP working with ODBC, makes it easy to extract data from SW files (like part number, part name, BOM,...), using Excel, and import into MRP. The opposit is also true (for example import part costs into SW parts so we can estimate the costs for new products, or import data of "out of the shelf" components). This can save us several hours of manual data transfer between SW<>MRP.

And if you want it to happen "real time", wy not have batch routines in your server to do it (it dependents of the meaning of real time of you company and, of course, you must have people that knows about MRP and about programing)

We use ProdStar (now Adonix), a French MRP package (our system is composed by orders management, purchasing management, MRP, financial management)

Regards

 

[MadMango]

I agree with [blue]EdDanzer[/blue] that the exported data is only a snapshot of your data. This still works for our company, as we only run ERP during the weekend for the next week's production.

After a BOM change happens (usualy via ECN/ECO) the SW model is updated, new data is exported by Friday. Well, that's the way it's suppose to work...

Ray Reynolds
&quot;There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.&quot;
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Thanks to all for the comments, but we are getting a bit off track. I'm looking for names of relatively inexpensive ERP systems. I'll worry about how/if data can be exported/imported from/to SW later.

So far I know of Questica (excellent product), but that is in the tens of thousands of dollars, & macPT has told me of Adonix (thanks mac' - BTW, what's the price range)... anyone familiar with some others.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[automationbabe]

Another Questica user...

Questica plans on concentrating efforts in the area you are talking about, which we also desperately need. If you don't mind work arounds while waiting, one of their next releases should have major upgrades. We look forward to it as well.

Otherwise, we haven't found much out there that's affordable.

Good luck and let me know what you find.

 

[PDCBitman]

Have you looked at Intuitive? Or is that too expensive? I attended a demo recently and it looks interesting.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

PDCBitman
Thanks. Hadn't heard of that one ... do you have any pricing info?

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[PDCBitman]

5 seats Can $35,000 Additional seats $4,500
15-17% Annual Maintenance

http://www.intuitivemanufacturing.com

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

automationbabe
Actually, we don't use Questica (we are still on a manual "system") but I have the demo CD. It looks really good .. what do you think of it? Do you have any up to date pricing info?

Have found a few packages today ... will let you know if any turn out to appear functional.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[automationbabe]

I like it. It's much better than what we had, but there is still room for improvement. I think it has wonderful potential. My advice, if you get it, is to also have someone very familiar with Access database reporting and what not. I think Access works with a SQL server as well?

Unfortunately, I don't have any updated pricing. They are in your neighborhood...give them a call. They are nice people. They will be able to give you a lot of info. Consider your current practices when questioning them.

Let me know of the other packages you find...we are in process of further streamlining everything.

Good luck!