JOBSCOPE

Manufacturers that build to a customer's order, rather than to a forecast, need cost and schedule control that a general ERP package rarely offers. JOBSCOPE develops, installs and supports ERP software for exactly that group, and it says thousands of order-driven manufacturers across the world rely on it. The vendor argues that most manufacturing ERP tries to serve every kind of factory in one application, while its product is tailored to discrete, order-driven work.

Who the software is built for

The list covers engineer-to-order, make-to-order, assemble-to-order and configure-to-order manufacturers, job shops, industrial equipment and machinery makers, aerospace and defense contractors, government contractors and aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses. Government contractors in particular face costing and contract rules that standard ERP does not meet.

Job costing and project control

Real-time job costing is the feature the vendor emphasizes. Labor and material transactions are visible as they happen, so budget overruns can be controlled. Project management goes beyond watching labor and materials by tracking deliverables for critical-path risk, which the vendor ties to better on-time delivery. Other areas covered include estimating, budgeting, material control, MRP, order entry, billing and finance, with CAD integration.

Technology and deployment

The system runs on Microsoft SQL Server and the .NET platform, and links to Excel, SharePoint and Microsoft CRM. It can also be deployed on IBM iSeries (AS400) with the DB2/400 database. Hosted SaaS and cloud plans are available.

Shop floor, mobile access and training

The DATACAP module handles barcode data collection on the shop floor, and a mobile version of the software gives access to CRM and reports from phones and tablets. A DataSecure option creates encrypted off-site backups. Screens can be personalized and local procedures added to them. Training runs through online video tutorials, classroom sessions at the vendor's training center, on site, or live online, and the software supports multi-company, multinational and multi-location setups.

The vendor sells all modules in one package instead of as add-ons, and covers data conversion, custom development and support as one full-service provider.