Successful manufacturing operations are a finely tuned balancing act. On a good day, everything moves like clockwork. However, on a bad day, it can feel like you’re spinning plates while juggling chainsaws.
Over the years, we’ve worked with many manufacturers and noticed a pattern in the challenges they face.
Some of these issues are so common they could be considered industry traditions—but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with them.
Here are three of the biggest headaches we’ve seen manufacturers face, and what you can do about them.
1. People Not Doing What They’re Meant to Do, When They’re Meant to Do It
If you manage a team, this problem will be all too familiar. You give clear instructions, set deadlines, and somehow still hear:
- “I thought that’s what you meant.”
- “I didn’t check my calendar.”
- “I forgot.”
Sound familiar? It’s the managerial equivalent of trying to herd cats.
Ensuring tasks are prioritised correctly and processes are followed consistently can be a real struggle.
Without the correct systems in place, employees can end up duplicating work, missing deadlines, and working off outdated information.
Not only is this frustrating, but it also leads to inefficiencies that cost valuable time and money.
The key to solving this issue is standardisation and automation. Clear workflows, automated task reminders, and a centralised data repository helps keep everyone on track—without you having to hover over their shoulder 24/7.
2. Trying to Track Down an Order While a Frustrated Customer Waits on the Phone
Customers expect quick answers. But when someone calls asking about an order, do you always have an instant response?
Or does it involve a frantic game of ‘pass the parcel’ between departments?
Running around the office trying to find an order status while a customer’s patience dwindles is an all-too-common scenario.
Maybe the paperwork is sitting on someone’s desk, maybe it got buried in an inbox, or maybe—worst of all—it never got processed in the first place.
Not having real-time visibility over orders is a major issue in manufacturing, and it often leads to poor customer experiences.
When teams rely on spreadsheets, paper-based systems, or outdated legacy software, order tracking soon becomes a nightmare.
The solution?
A centralised ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system where all order information is accessible in real time.
With the right tools, any team member can instantly check the status of an order—no running around required.
3. Knowing Something’s Wrong but Not Knowing Where the Problem Is
Sometimes, it’s obvious that something isn’t working—but working out exactly where things are going wrong is another challenge entirely.
You might notice that deadlines are regularly slipping, costs are creeping up, or customer complaints are becoming more frequent.
But is the problem in procurement? Production? Sales? Engineering?
Without clear visibility over your entire operation, pinpointing where the issue lies can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
This lack of insight often leads to reactive firefighting instead of proactive problem-solving. You spend all your time fixing issues instead of preventing them in the first place.
A modern ERP system can give you the visibility you need to diagnose and fix inefficiencies.
With real-time analytics and reporting, you can track performance across every department, identify bottlenecks, and make data-backed decisions that improve overall efficiency.
How Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Can Help
If any of these problems sound familiar, you’re not alone—but you don’t have to put up with them.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is designed to help manufacturers streamline operations, improve efficiency, and gain full visibility over their business.
It provides real-time tracking of orders, automated workflows to ensure tasks get done on time, and powerful reporting & analytics to help identify and resolve process inefficiencies before they become major issues.
At Mercurius IT, we have years of expertise in helping manufacturers transform their operations with ERP solutions such as Business Central.
Whether you need better order tracking, automated workflows, or full visibility over your supply chain, we can help you implement a solution that works for your business.
If you’re ready to eliminate inefficiencies and take control of your operations, get in touch with us today using the contact form below.
