SimpleManufacturing™ Resources

Manufacturing Knowledge Base & ERP Guides

Explore practical manufacturing guides, how-to articles, best practices, and lessons learned from more than 24 years of developing, implementing, and supporting manufacturing ERP software.

Our Knowledge Base covers inventory control, Material Requirements Planning, Bills of Materials, Work Orders, production scheduling, shop floor tracking, engineering changes, quality management, traceability, actual costing, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, and other topics important to small and midsize manufacturers.

Explore Manufacturing Topics

Start with one of these core manufacturing topics or browse all Knowledge Base articles below.

Browse All Knowledge Base Articles

Review the latest manufacturing how-to guides, best practices, software explanations, and lessons learned.

Manufacturer Part Numbers vs. Vendor Part Numbers: Why the Difference Matters

Understand the difference between manufacturer and vendor part numbers and learn how ERP systems connect multiple suppliers, purchasing relationships, approved sources, and traceability to one controlled item record.

Why Manufacturers Should Use Internal Part Numbers in ERP Software

Learn why manufacturers use internal part numbers to create stable item identities, control revisions, connect supplier alternatives, improve reporting, and maintain consistent data across ERP processes.

Electronics Manufacturing Software: Why Accounting Systems Fall Short

Learn why electronics manufacturers need integrated BOM, revision, component, traceability, production, quality, and inventory controls that extend well beyond the capabilities of general accounting software.

5 Manual Manufacturing Processes You Should Automate

Explore five manual manufacturing processes that can be automated to reduce duplicate entry, improve accuracy, accelerate workflows, strengthen accountability, and give employees more timely operational information.

ABC Analysis for Inventory Management

Learn how ABC inventory analysis classifies materials by value and business importance so manufacturers can prioritize cycle counting, purchasing attention, inventory controls, and working-capital management.

Top Inventory Management Tips for Manufacturing Businesses

Apply 20 practical inventory-management practices covering transaction accuracy, receiving, locations, cycle counting, barcode tracking, material movement, traceability, planning, excess inventory, and employee accountability.

Cycle Counting Best Practices for Manufacturing

Learn how to establish a cycle counting program that improves inventory accuracy, schedules counts according to risk, investigates variances, corrects root causes, and reduces operational disruption.

Hidden Costs of Inaccurate Inventory in Manufacturing

See how inaccurate inventory causes shortages, downtime, emergency purchasing, excess stock, unreliable schedules, costing errors, traceability problems, financial-reporting issues, and delayed customer orders.

Approved Vendor Lists for ISO 9001 and AS9100 Supplier Control

Learn how an Approved Vendor List helps manufacturers evaluate suppliers, control purchasing sources, monitor performance, document approvals, reduce supply risk, and support ISO 9001 and AS9100 requirements.