Guide to Operations Management Software

Streamline key business processes with operations management software solutions

By Judy Artunian, Freelance Writer

1. Determine which functions within your operation could benefit from operations management software support. Then identify the appropriate software packages.
2. Do your own “background check” of the operations software providers. Ask them how many other companies in your industry use the applications you’re considering. Ask a few of those customers about the quality of the vendor’s product support.
3. Don’t settle for a generic product demonstration. Ask to see how the operations management applications handle the types of scenarios that your company would encounter.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Operations management systems production and purchasing

Increasingly sophisticated operations management software solutions can be put to work to manage aspects of production, quality control, purchasing and related operations.

I recommend: Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise Manufacturing Module helps you manage your production processes, resources and costs. PQ Systems’ quality assurance products include software to aid in statistical process control, calibrating devices and instruments and Six Sigma quality improvement projects. To streamline your purchasing operations, look for operation management software, such as NetSuite’s purchasing and vendor management tools.

Human resource operations management applications

Operations management software systems designed for corporate human resource operations frees HR professionals to concentrate on other responsibilities.

I recommend: Hand over time-consuming HR recordkeeping and management tasks to operations software suites, such as Ascentis’ HROffice and NuView Systems' NuViewHR.

Manage customer relationships with operations software

Maximize your customer relationship management processes with the operations management applications that are part of customer relationship management software packages.

I recommend: Optima Technologies’ ExSellence and salesforce.com are reasonably priced, comprehensive and customizable CRM systems that help you organize your CRM operations. Avaya’s MultiVantage Customer Interaction is operations software designed to enhance your customers’ experience when they call your contact center.

Operations software tools for workflow and forecasting

Sometimes all you need are basic operations management software tools to streamline certain business processes.

I recommend: Organize and track individual projects with FastTrack Schedule 9 software. TaskFlow operations management software helps you manage collaborative projects, including product development and research activity. Look to tools such as Forecast Pro to calculate forecasts using proven statistical methods. Forecast Pro also creates reports and graphs. Find additional planning and scheduling software solutions at Business.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're shopping for new operations management software solutions, verify that the software companies you're considering are financially stable. You'll need them to be available for product support in the coming years.
• •  If you're hoping to implement an operations management software system that would dramatically change aspects of your operation, try to get top management - preferably your CEO - to champion the idea.
• •  It may seem obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to forget: new operations management software systems are only as good as the data you put into them. Review your existing data for accuracy before you implement your new system.
• •  Implementing software for operations management takes time and training. Give your staff the instruction they need to make the transition go more smoothly.