ERP Lessons Learned : Structured Process

ERP/MRP systems are the tools of the new American industrial age. Against all odds, Manufacturing in America is resurging, powered by the discovery of new energy sources, the high cost of transportation, supply disruptions, and increased affluence of global competitors. Like all industrial cycles, this one differs from predecessors. Technology is more advanced and granular. Digital technology is pervasive, with software applications for virtually any real or imagined situation. Systems unable to integrate mobile technology are obsolete. Speed, as always, is a business goal, but speed without quality is waste. Sustainability is an issue affecting every business decision. Process improvement programs must incorporate resource yield/optimization, and viable ERP systems provide deeper structure for planning and managing resources. Strategy and governance define the direction for the business, how it designs, markets, distributes, and acquires the needed assets to buy/make product. ERP systems plan and control the supporting processes, translating objectives into actionable plans, then tracking execution in real-time. Since its inception, ERP has grown steadily more complicated, robust, and expensive to purchase and install. Comprehensive systems are still available but new approaches provide industry with advanced and in some cases, more simplified solutions, including cloud applications, modularity, and a return to the simple functionality of MRP. ERP/MRP, like manufacturing, presents exciting new applications for achieving excellence. This book is a structured process written to guide you on the journey to successful implementations.

Wayne Staley established Affinity Systems LLC, a system consulting company, in 1997.
 
An Army veteran and military Operating Room Technician, Wayne was the NCOIC for his surgical unit. While attending college, he worked as an ER and X-Ray Technician.

Educated in computer technology, business, and manufacturing systems, he has managed Corporate Information Technology, Materials, Logistics, and manufacturing.

He was Manager of Shop Operations for a complex fabrication facility, with foundry, machine shop, metal punching and forming, annealing, aluminum die-casting/injection, metal forming, and welding. Wayne worked on integrated supply chain programs with China based suppliers, and collaboration programs with Dow Chemical, developing processes and new products. He is NAFTA certified. He served for eleven years on the City/County information processing commission, the last year as Chairperson.
He has managed numerous Business Strategy, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and process improvement projects (VMP) in manufacturing, government, distribution, and convention management.  

He developed training materials for ERP, Supply-Chain Management, Strategy, and Process Improvement. He created Phase Four Graphics LLC, a graphic arts company,  
phasefourgraphics.com, and CompetitiveAmerica.us, advocating for American industry. A frequent speaker at APICS and AITP meetings, conferences and seminars, he is the author of six books.

He is passionate about America and driven by the need to build a better, opportunity driven world for our children and grandchildren. Success is possible by encouraging entrepreneurship, building environmentally friendly factories, and using ERP and Lean Six Sigma. It means getting the ERP right the first time, and building the information super highways required to do business at the speed of reality.