Process manufacturing software is the lifeblood of the chemical
and food production industries. Products from paint to peanut
butter are manufactured using some level of process
manufacturing software applications, and for good reason.
Process manufacturing software can make the almost impossible
task of keeping track of formula characteristics such as the
substances used, the units of measure for each substance and
formula instructions, as easy as data entry will allow.
Considering the large number of products and subsequent
calculations most process manufacturers deal with on a daily
basis, this is no small feat. Of course, as with any software,
there are differences between even the most widely used software
applications. These differences are designed to set one
company's process manufacturing software apart from the
competition's software. Some features can prove to be very
useful in certain circumstances, while others are cosmetic at
best. Unfortunately, many process manufacturers use these
differences as the sole factor in deciding on a software
distributor. They often overlook customer service. Customer
service is one of the most, if not the most, important facets of
purchasing process manufacturing software. Not only will the
level of customer service a business receives affect the
implementation time frame, it can also have an effect on the
level of functionality achievable with the software. Process
Manufacturing software can be highly complicated, and requires
training not only to maintain but also to properly utilize. In
order to get the full benefit of all available features,
personnel must be fluent in the organization and integration of
the software as it pertains to their overall business structure.
They must also be able to navigate through the various
interfaces with a full understanding of the data fields that are
displayed. The software distributor should be the entity to
provide the level of training necessary to successfully utilize
the software they sell. Distributors who offer superior customer
service will encourage active participation for an
organization's key personnel at all levels of the software
implementation, from analysis to deployment. Purchasing process
manufacturing software is quite an endeavor, and all pertinent
criteria should be considered. While the differences in the
software itself may or may not be a factor in the level of
satisfaction a business receives from it's purchase, the level
of customer service the business encounters most certainly will
be.
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