Engineering Change Control with Acumatica Manufacturing Edition

The only thing that is consistent in the manufacturing environment of today is change. Manufacturers have to swiftly adjust to changing product designs, cost challenges, regulatory revisions, and consumer needs. An efficient engineering change control approach is essential to navigating these challenges. The Engineering Change Control (ECC) feature of Acumatica Manufacturing Edition offers a complete cloud-based solution made especially for manufacturers.

Today’s Softengine blog  explores how managing design changes, maintaining master data integrity, and boosting operational efficiency are all made easier by Acumatica’s ECC capability. Keep reading for the full insights!

Engineering Change Control with Acumatica Manufacturing Edition

When product designs change, whether as a result of consumer input, market developments, or ongoing technological advancements, manufacturing organizations encounter difficulties. Changes to bills of materials (BOMs) and routings can lead to incorrect data, misunderstandings between departments, and eventually production delays and higher expenses if there is no formal change management procedure in place.

Engineering Change Control (ECC), provides a methodical way to monitor and authorize changes. In addition to streamlining the process, Acumatica’s Manufacturing Edition effortlessly connects with other modules to preserve uniformity throughout your ERP system. This blog offers a thorough examination of Acumatica’s ECC capabilities, unique features, and reasons for being the best option for manufacturers.

What is Engineering Change Control?

Definition and Importance

Engineering change control is the process of managing revisions and updates to a product’s design, ensuring that all changes to BOMs, routings, and associated documentation are systematically reviewed, approved, and implemented. 

• Starting Change Requests: Using Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) to document suggested modifications.
• Formal Change Orders: To update master data, authorized change requests are transformed into Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
• Approval Workflows: directing modifications via predetermined approval procedures involving multidisciplinary teams.
• Audit and Compliance: Keeping a thorough record of all modifications for traceability, compliance, and ongoing development.

By quickly adjusting to changes, an efficient engineering change control process lowers the possibility of manufacturing mistakes, decreases rework, and helps manufacturers stay competitive.

How Acumatica Manufacturing Edition Enhances ECC

The purpose of Acumatica Manufacturing Edition is to satisfy the ever-changing demands of manufacturers. Acumatica’s cloud-based design facilitates real-time data access, seamless integration, and an intuitive user interface, all essential for effectively managing engineering changes.

Key Features of Acumatica ECC

The extensive feature set of Acumatica’s ECC capabilities gives manufacturers complete control over engineering change management. The main features are:

Engineering Change Requests (ECRs)

• Centralized Request Management: Manage change requests by BOM and revision, complete with requested and effective dates, priority codes, and additional details.
• Detailed Information Capture: Record requester names and reasons for change, ensuring every detail is documented.
• Streamlined Initiation Process: Start the change process quickly by merging multiple ECRs for similar parts into a single ECO.

Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)

• Unified Change Orders: Tie multiple ECRs to a single ECO, reducing redundancy and simplifying the process.
• Direct Changes: Optionally skip the ECR process and manage changes directly from the ECO when needed.
• Automated BOM Updates: Ensure that approved changes update the BOM and routings automatically, maintaining data integrity throughout the production cycle.

Approval Workflow and Assignment Maps

• Automated Routing: Set up an automated process that routes ECRs and ECOs for approval according to your organization’s specific criteria.
• Customizable Approval Maps: Use Acumatica Approval and Assignment Maps to define which roles or departments must approve changes.
• Delegation Capabilities: Enable flexible delegation so that if a key approver is unavailable, the process isn’t stalled.

BOM Comparison Screen

• Side-by-Side View: Compare BOM revisions side-by-side, allowing users to quickly identify differences between ECR, ECO, and the current BOM.
• Visual Insights: The interactive BOM Comparison screen highlights changes, making it easy to validate and communicate modifications.
• Enhanced Decision-Making: By visualizing the differences, teams can make informed decisions on the impact of proposed changes.

Security and Audit Logs

• Controlled Access: Manage user permissions to ensure that only authorized personnel can initiate or approve engineering changes.
• Complete Audit Trail: Maintain a detailed history of changes with user identification and time stamps for full traceability.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry standards by keeping an immutable record of all modifications.

Engineering Dashboard and Reporting

• Real-Time Data Insights: Access a centralized dashboard that provides up-to-date information on pending changes, approval statuses, and historical data.
• Customizable Reports: Generate reports and pivot tables to analyze the impact of engineering changes on production, costs, and scheduling.
• Key Performance Metrics: Track essential metrics such as ECO cycle time, cost per change, and overall master data quality.

Optional Integrations and Advanced Connectors

• Acumatica for Arena Native Connector: For manufacturers with complex product lifecycle management (PLM) needs, this connector integrates advanced PLM functionalities.
• CAD Connections: Utilize marketplace applications like CADLINK by QBUILD for synchronizing engineering changes directly from design applications.
• Where-Used Analysis and Engineering Workbench: Leverage built-in tools to analyze part usage across multiple products, helping teams understand the full impact of changes.

Advantages of Using Acumatica to Implement and Improve Engineering Change Control

For manufacturers, putting in place a strong engineering change control system provides several advantages. The following are the main benefits of utilizing Acumatica’s ECC:

Enhanced Master Data Integrity and Data Accuracy

• Centralized Updates: Acumatica reduces inconsistencies between design documents and production data by guaranteeing that modifications to BOMs and routings are updated instantly.
• Elimination of Manual Errors: Higher data correctness is achieved by lowering the possibility of human error through automated updates and audit trails.
• Consistent Documentation: The most recent version of the product data is used by all stakeholders thanks to a single system.

Increased Efficiency in Operations

• Streamlined Workflows: By automating ECR and ECO procedures, less manual involvement is required, which speeds up the implementation of changes.
• Decreased Downtime: Production delays brought on by misunderstandings or out-of-date information are reduced with transparent approval processes and real-time data updates.
• Resource Optimization: By combining several change requests into one ECO, process duplication is decreased and resource allocation is enhanced.

Better Collaboration Across Departments

• Integrated Approvals: The system facilitates smooth collaboration amongst cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, quality, and finance.
• Real-Time Visibility: Reports and dashboards offer real-time insights that enlighten all parties involved, facilitating quicker and better decision-making.
• Clear Communication: Every change is conveyed across departments with clarity thanks to the systematic approach, which lowers the possibility of efforts being mismatched.

Lower Expenses and Higher Profits

• Reduction in Rework: Manufacturers may drastically cut down on expensive rework and scrap by rapidly resolving problems through a defined process.
• Better Planning: Precise BOM updates aid in improved material planning, which lowers waste and the expense of keeping inventory on hand.
• Optimized Production Scheduling: Production scheduling becomes more effective and eventually increases profitability with the use of accurate cost analysis and up-to-date route information.

Traceability and Compliance

• Audit-Ready Records: Businesses are always ready for audits and regulatory assessments when they have a thorough history of engineering modifications.
• Regulatory Compliance: Particularly in highly regulated businesses, thorough documentation and restricted access aid in fulfilling compliance standards.
• Risk Mitigation: Possible hazards are recognized and reduced early in the production cycle with the use of transparent documentation and review procedures.

Acumatica Engineering Change Control Functionality: Designed for Manufacturer’s First

For companies trying to optimize their change management processes, Acumatica’s Engineering Change Control feature is revolutionary. Acumatica gives businesses complete control over everything from Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and automatic BOM updates, enabling them to preserve master data integrity, cut expenses, and increase operational effectiveness.

Any manufacturer dealing with the difficulties of rapid product evolution will find Acumatica to be the perfect option because of its strong approval procedures, side-by-side BOM comparisons, thorough audit logs, and real-time dashboards. Acumatica’s alternative integrations for sophisticated PLM and CAD systems not only satisfy manufacturers’ present demands but also get them ready for the challenges of a linked, digitalized world.

Softengine is Here to Help!

Partnering with Softengine, a Gold Partner for SAP and Acumatica, for your ERP implementation not only streamlines the data migration process but also ensures a seamless transition to your new ERP platform. Our team’s expertise, dedication, and commitment to customer success make us the ideal partner for organizations seeking to unlock the full potential of their ERP investment and scaling in the digital economy. Contact us to learn more about how our clients utilize ERP to enhance and scale their organizations, and see our solutions in action for yourself!

FAQs: Engineering Change Control (ECC) for Manufacturers

What is engineering change control?

Engineering change control is a systematic process that manages modifications to product designs, including updates to bills of material and routings. It involves initiating change requests, obtaining approvals, and implementing changes with full traceability.

How does Acumatica support engineering change control?

Acumatica supports engineering change control by offering features such as Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), automated approval workflows, side-by-side BOM comparisons, detailed audit logs, and real-time dashboards, all integrated within its cloud-based Manufacturing Edition.

What are the key benefits of using Acumatica’s ECC functionality?

Key benefits include improved master data accuracy, streamlined production planning, reduced rework and costs, enhanced collaboration across departments, regulatory compliance through full audit trails, and real-time insights for better decision-making.

Can Acumatica’s ECC integrate with other PLM or CAD systems?

Yes, Acumatica offers optional integrations like the Acumatica for Arena Native Connector and CAD connections (e.g., CADLINK by QBUILD) to streamline product lifecycle management and ensure synchronization between design applications and ERP.

How does engineering change control impact manufacturing efficiency?

By automating and standardizing the change process, engineering change control minimizes errors, reduces production delays, and improves overall efficiency leading to faster time-to-market and significant cost savings.