MRP Systems

We are a mid-sized chemical manufacturing company currently using Great Plains for our general ledger and financial reporting. We are using a "home grown" manufacturing/inventory package that isn't integrated to Great Plains and gives us basic information.

We are interested in installing a fully integrated material requirements planning system called Horizons. Is anyone currently using this software?  Could you share your thoughts on its features and implementation process? Lot traceability, product costing, inventory audit, and production scheduling are all important to us. We saw a demo on the software, but we are interested in first-hand experiences with using these modules in Horizons.

Steve Morrison (shmorrison@justigroup.com )

Response:

We are using a product called Chempax produced by Datacor in New Jersey.  We are using it in our distribution business and are considering it for our manufacturing businesses.  The software is quite robust and has evolved from its chemical manufacturing roots.  This is a chemical industry focused product.

Fred Wirth, CFO (FWirth@charkit.com)  

Response:

I can't tell from your question if your plan is to interface Horizons to Great Plains or to replace both the "home grown" system and GP with Horizons.  I am also not sure if you are already committed to Horizons or are still shopping.  Horizons say they are focused on the food service industry and that may relate to your chemical manufacturing -- but it may not.

If you are still considering other packages, Enterprise-21 by Technology Group International (TGI, Toledo, OH) is a great fully integrated ERP package for mid-size companies.  You will be much happier having the accounting/finance fully integrated with the manufacturing/operations pieces.  Having used TGI's products for many years, they are elegant in design.  By that I mean it gets a lot done in simple straightforward ways.  It is intuitive and easy to learn and the cost is very reasonable.

Ed Clarke (eclarke3@aol.com)