BS3: Microsoft's industry initiative

Source: Cape Business News - BS3, one of Microsoft’s leading business solution partners in South Africa, is leading the way in supplying Microsoft’s new innovative business software to local process manufacturers.

Process manufacturing constitutes a large portion (35-40%) of the global manufacturing market. This opportunity spans across many industries including food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, metal and plastics.

There are few viable and cost effective software solutions in the market which can meet the requirements of the progressive process manufacturer, especially in the mid-market sector. Process Industries for Microsoft Dynamics AX is the software solution that effectively addresses many of the requirements of the process manufacturer, including the hybrid manufacturer in one integrated software platform.

Process manufacturers are faced with many unique challenges. Companies strive to reduce production and supply chain costs, achieve almost perfect delivery performance, and satisfy an avalanche of regulatory requirements just to remain competitive. Many process manufacturers wrestle with the additional complications of managing a combination of process and discrete operations and accounting for materials from delivery into manufacturing and out through the supply chain to the customer.

Staying ahead of the competition means one must effectively and efficiently manage all the variables involved in engineering and delivering products that follow custom formulas or recipes and making best use of ones manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.

Process Industries for Microsoft Dynamics AX helps to continually improve business processes throughout the organization while meeting environmental and maintaining product and production safety requirements - and achieving profitability objectives.

Critical for this type of business is that the Process Industries for Microsoft Dynamics AX supports a range of manufacturing processes in one system , including make to order, make to stock, or mixed mode, a hybrid environment that enables both discrete and process requirements to coexist.

Key benefits for South African process manufactures are:

• Increase the speed and flexibility of your process manufacturing operations

• Manage materials and items with multi-dimensional inventory structures

• Work with simplified but flexible packaging configurations

• Effectively address all local and international regulatory requirements such as food safety and traceability – becomes your competitive advantage and not inhibitor

• Improve connectivity and communication within your company, with customers and business partners

• Gain real-time insight into your business performance, status and costs

• Respond quickly to changing market conditions, vital in this ever changing industry

• A proven solution developed on a reliable and secure Microsoft platform

• Local skills and support on the doorstep.