Building in-house machine monitoring software to improve operational processes can seem like the best decision for most manufacturers. Many embark on the project with high hopes of a ‘perfect fit’ customization to the operation’s unique processes and low development and implementation costs. In reality, most software build projects cost more than purchasing an out-of-box solution from a seasoned provider. Generally, the maintenance of a completely customized system outweighs the benefits gained.

Continue reading and discover the pitfalls of building manufacturing monitoring software in the ‘build vs. buy’ solution and learn how Shoplogix provides an ideal alternative.

What Does ‘Build vs. Buy’ in Manufacturing Mean?

‘Build vs. Buy’ in manufacturing refers to the decision-making process that companies undertake when they need to implement a new system, tool, or solution. The ‘build’ option involves creating a custom solution in-house, while the ‘buy’ option involves purchasing an off-the-shelf product from a vendor.

Here’s What Each Part Includes in More Detail:

Build: This involves using internal resources to develop a solution tailored to the company’s specific needs. While it might require less upfront investment and result in a solution that fits the unique requirements of a business, it also poses challenges related to time consumption, the need for technical expertise, ongoing maintenance, and potential scalability issues.

Buy: This involves purchasing a ready-made solution from a vendor. These solutions are often more cost-effective upfront, quicker to implement, regularly updated to keep up with industry trends, and come with customer support. However, they might not perfectly fit the unique needs of every business, and there may be recurring costs involved.

The decision between building or buying is influenced by several factors, including budget, time constraints, internal capabilities, growth goals, and the specific needs of the business. It’s important for businesses to thoroughly analyze these factors before making their decision.

4 Dangers of Building Manufacturing Monitoring Software

1. Cost

The high costs associated with building manufacturing monitoring software is the primary reason manufacturers abandon the project. The large upfront cost of the hardware, in addition to ongoing labor costs, pushes most IT projects over budget. Resource dollars are spent on time-consuming R&D, and many resort to outsourcing additional programmers and developers to meet timelines. Additionally, testing and impleming home-grown software requires many rounds of trial and error, often resulting in mistakes with a high price tag to fix.

Partnering with a reputable manufacturing monitoring software provider to implement an out-of-box enterprise software solution ensures that the project is delivered on time, on budget with a faster return on investment (ROI).

2. Quality and Scalability

Manufacturing monitoring software providers spend years developing software solutions that meet the unique needs of a manufacturing enterprise. The dedicated experts behind the software continuously monitor and improve the program by adding new features and capabilities to deliver the most progressive solutions for manufacturers. When buying out-of-box solutions, manufacturers can utilize years of expertise immediately.

Manufacturing monitoring software providers know standardization of manufacturing processes is key to operational growth. As a result, most out-of-the-box solutions are built to be easily scaled at an enterprise-wide, plant-to-plant level. A software provider will also release upgrades and new features to keep up with changes to i4.0 technology and processes. Manufacturers are able to easily add new features and modules to grow operations and drive continuous improvement.

3. Support

Manufacturing monitoring software providers come with highly experienced Customer Support teams with technical expertise to support manufacturers with implementation, training, consulting, and addressing any issues or concerns about the software.

The ability to see customer needs, issues, and concerns helps support teams maintain a complete connection and to see trends or catch bad habits and fix them before they become significant issues. They also provide resources and guidance to utilize the software to its full capabilities. 

With in-house, customized software, there are no external support teams. The lack of support means manufacturers are faced with additional tasks of troubleshooting fixes, training staff, and maintaining the software. Manufacturers need to evaluate if there are sufficient resources amongst the team to effectively run day-to-day operations while handling unexpected fixes and maintenance of a customized solution.

4. Implementation

Software implementation is not something that happens overnight. Tasks include setting up the software with your company’s existing information, users, and personal settings; ensuring current enterprise resource planning (ERP), material requirements planning (MRP), and accounting systems are integrated with the new software; setting up smart reports, and training employees to drive a smooth adoption. 

Partnering with a provider to implement out-of-box manufacturing monitoring software eliminates the challenges of integration and adoption. Operators and key stakeholders can depend on quick deployment, a seamless and reliable implementation process with minimal disruption to daily operations. Training provided by industry experts improves employee confidence in using the new system and drives a culture of continuous improvement.

Out-of-box manufacturing monitoring software provides manufacturers with the ability to boost ROI, proactively stay ahead of competitors and operational downtimes, while increasing plant efficiency from the moment of implementation. Save resources and money with an out-of-box software solution that provides real-time benefits to manufacturing efficiency, continuous improvements, and ROI.

How Shoplogix’s Solutions can Help you

Shoplogix can help address the challenges aforementioned by providing a comprehensive solution for manufacturing monitoring. Take a closer look into each bottleneck and how Shoplogix can assist:

Cost-Effective Solution: Shoplogix offers a ready-made solution that eliminates the high upfront costs and ongoing labor expenses associated with building custom software. By opting for Shoplogix, manufacturers can avoid the risk of exceeding budgets and timelines, ensuring a faster return on investment.

Quality and Scalability: Shoplogix’s expertise in developing manufacturing monitoring software ensures that manufacturers can access a high-quality, scalable solution. The platform is continuously updated to align with industry trends and offers features designed to meet the unique needs of manufacturing enterprises.

Support and Implementation: Shoplogix provides manufacturers with access to highly experienced customer support teams, ensuring seamless implementation, training, and ongoing assistance. This support helps in addressing any issues or concerns about the software, enabling a smooth transition and efficient utilization of the solution.
Standardization and Comparison: By standardizing all machines on Shoplogix across the organization, manufacturers can compare production data and gain insights into overall efficiency across the entire plant or multiple plants. This allows for consistent performance evaluation and informed decision-making.

Final Thoughts

Building in-house can lead to financial risks and resource challenges. However, opting for a ready-made solution, like Shoplogix, gives you immediate access to advanced features, regular updates, and reliable customer support. Before you consider building manufacturing monitoring software for your operations, read about the risks ahead of committing to a large, ongoing, and costly project.

Think of Shoplogix more as a strategic partner than a provider. As manufacturing goes digital, choosing ‘Buy’ isn’t just an option – it’s a smart business decision for cost-effectiveness, operational efficiency, and easy integration into the fast-paced industry. 

Choose smart, choose Shoplogix.