"What we need is really simple"
Jorrit Reedijk
CEO & Founder @ Blue Star Planning B.V. | Production and planning and (linerless) labels
"What we need is really simple". This is a phrase I heard often in 15 years offering and implementing our tailor made - low code - ERP solutions. There could be 2 meanings behind this phrase. The first is, a potential client wants a quick solution that doesn't cost much. When the problem is actually hard to solve, you should turn around and run away.
The second is, the actual solution should make the task at hand really simple. The solution can be complicated and the potential client acknowledges this. The actual question should be rephrased to "What we need is really complicated, but can you please make it as simple for us as possible".
When there is mutual understanding in that a solution is complicated to achieve, you are halfway in earning each others trust in setting up and accomplishing a development and implementation project together.
Automating business processes is hard. Planning and scheduling in a hectic production environment in the packaging industries is even harder. Keeping an eye on all your production orders with constantly changing constraints is undoable. Even with todays reliable ERP software solutions.
With Blue Star Planning we have created extremely smart and complex software to solve the planning and scheduling challenges. A software platform that allows you to run your factory more efficiently, supports your automation needs, and lets you track exactly what goes well, and what needs attention. Our user interfaces even make this simple. And this simplicity also extends to the setup of our platform and for the implementation cycle.
What you need is really complicated. We will make it as simple as possible for you.
Read more about our unique approach on implementation here: What we need is really simple – Blue Star Planning
Product Owner at Esko
3 年So true! And not only for ERP systems. When moving into automation, people tend to see only the ideal flow for a standard order. This can be really simple, indeed. Yet in reality these 100% standard orders are as rare as unicorns. The vast amount of little rules and exceptions in the minds of experienced operators and order handlers is typically unknown at decision making level. There are two approaches to solve this: A) Standardize the heck out of your product offering, no exceptions allowed, and become super lean in producing those. Can work fabulously well! B) Most companies regard flexibility/agility as a strength or USP, so want to keep it. Then you need to really document and manage all the possible deviations and flavours a customer can decide upon. Both approaches are not excluding each other. Whatever balance you choose, a solid integration between ERP and prepress/production systems is a necessity! I love how you touch on the trust aspect, Jorrit. It's a trap to focus only on the technical aspects of integration. When you have to work miracles to accomplish something considered a simple task by your client, running away would not be my first reflex :-) But it's something to align on before the project starts, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing.