Remember the clunky machines, mountains of paperwork, and frantic phone calls about missing parts? Forget it! Today’s manufacturers are blazing past those outdated methods, riding a wave of automation and real-time data. For this high-speed journey, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O) is their trusted companion. Yet, with a multitude of functionalities under its hood, where do you begin to explore? This blog explores the top priorities you should focus on when leveraging D365 F&O for a thriving production floor.
Key Features of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations
Production planning and scheduling
D365 F&O is a robust solution for manufacturers who seek to streamline their production processes. The priority-based planning feature, for instance, is like an intuitive production manager. It automatically prioritizes replenishments in real time based on order priorities, stock levels, and projected inventory. You can easily set up plans, manage resources, and monitor progress using advanced analytics and machine learning. Gone are the days of stockouts and production delays. With D365 F&O, it’s all about agility, productivity, and staying ahead of market demands.
- Easy planning: Forget spending hours on confusing spreadsheets. D365 F&O makes planning easy with simple tools and real-time information, so you can create and change production schedules in no time.
- Priority power: Put an end to financial losses due to stockouts. D365 F&O makes sure to fill your shelves with the most important items first, so you’re never without what you need.
- Smart manager: D365 F&O gives you a clear view of your workforce, machines, and materials. See how often your machines are running and identify idle time where you can schedule maintenance, track employee skill sets, and match them to the right tasks for maximum productivity.
Data collection and analysis
No more data-related headaches! Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations offers real-time visibility across your entire operation, from surging inventory levels to production lines and ever-evolving customer demands. Say goodbye to panicked stockouts. Instead, you will make strategic decisions based on granular data points that reveal inefficiencies, optimize production schedules, and reduce lead times.
In addition, you can track parts and materials in real-time and anticipate fluctuations in demand. This intelligent supply chain management translates to happier customers, reduced costs, and a competitive edge in the market.
Anticipate future trends: Look at past data and predict what will happen in the market so you can be ready for anything without overstocking or scrambling to keep up.
Optimize cost efficiency: Find things that are wasting time and money so you can use your resources better. Every bit you save makes your business more successful.
Make quicker, smarter decisions: Forget about long meetings and guessing games. D365 F&O puts real-time information right in front of you so that you can make decisions based on facts whenever you need to.
Let’s talk about tangible impact. A Forrester study revealed that Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations delivered measurable manufacturer benefits. On average, it resulted in a 10 percent reduction in excess inventory and shrinkage for manufacturers. It also increased employee productivity by 28 percent, boosted finance staff productivity by 20 percent, and reduced unnecessary shop floor staffing by 6 percent. Furthermore, a significant 52 percent rise in workflow contributed to increased wholesale and retail profits.
Improving financial management
Stop straining your eyes with confusing spreadsheets and relying on instincts to handle your money. D365 F&O provides real-time insights into financial performance. Identify cost-cutting opportunities, enhance profitability, and optimize cash flow. Keep your finances in check with precision.
- Invest with confidence: Identify promising growth opportunities and make strategic investments based on real-time data, not gut feeling.
- Confront uncertainties: D365 F&O acts as your financial early warning system, proactively alerts you to potential risks, and enables you to take swift, decisive action to navigate any challenges.
- Stay ahead of the curve: Obtain insights into emerging trends and industry benchmarks and ensure your financial strategies remain razor-sharp.
Enhanced collaboration
Gone are the days of siloed departments operating in their bubbles. D365 F&O brings teams together into a single, unified platform. Sales, production, and procurement work seamlessly, not just side-by-side. A centralized platform breaks down silos, accelerates decision-making, reduces errors, and boosts productivity. In this interconnected environment, production teams adjust schedules in real-time based on live sales data. Sales representatives confidently promise delivery dates with up-to-the-minute inventory information, and procurement teams proactively secure supplies to prevent bottlenecks.
- Faster decision-making: No longer need to wait for emails or track down colleagues. Real-time data empowers teams to make informed choices on the fly.
- Reduced errors: Miscommunication and data discrepancies have become a thing of the past with a single source of truth for everyone.
- Increased productivity: Time spent chasing information is replaced by focused teamwork, propelling productivity and output to new heights.
Real-life example
A mid-sized manufacturer of plastic widgets was facing several challenges:
- Inefficient inventory management: Manual inventory tracking led to stockouts and overstocking, which impacted production and customer satisfaction.
- Disjointed production planning: Lack of real-time visibility into production schedules and resource availability resulted in delays.
- Limited quality control: Paper-based quality control processes were cumbersome and prone to errors, leading to product inconsistencies and recalls.
- Fragmented data: Data silos across departments hindered decision-making and prevented holistic insights into the business.
The Solution: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations
The company implemented Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations to address these challenges. The system provided:
- Centralized inventory management: Real-time visibility into inventory levels, automated reorder points, and demand forecasting helped optimize stock levels and reduce carrying costs.
- Advanced production planning and scheduling: Integrated production planning with real-time resource availability enabled systematic scheduling, minimized downtime, and improved on-time delivery.
- Automated quality control: Streamlined quality control processes with electronic records and non-conformance tracking. Preventive maintenance schedules reduced defects and improved product quality.
- Unified data platform: Consolidated data across departments provided a single source of truth for informed decision-making and improved collaboration.
The Results:
The implementation of Dynamics 365 led to significant improvements:
- 25 percent reduction in inventory carrying costs
- 10 percent increase in production output
- 5 percent decrease in lead times
- 20 percent improvement in on-time delivery
- Reduced product recalls by 15 percent
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making
Wrap up
Leveraging D365 F&O isn’t just about tweaking a few dials; it’s about reimagining your entire manufacturing landscape. Streamline, optimize, improve, and enhance your operations with D365 F&O. The stage is set for your manufacturing success—let the revolution begin! Talk to us to learn more about how to make the most of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations.
