software selection

Manufacturing SMEs are structurally di erent from other companies and therefore have special requirments for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and the associated software selection. Process models must therefore be adapted. For the identication of requirements, a systematic categorization based on existing models was performed. With the help of an existing market research platform, further selection steps were developed in order to provide a useful and easy-to-use tool for SMEs, which enables them to select efficiently sufficient MES-software according to their needs.

Industrial companies face the challenge to manage an increasing number of documents digitally and reliably. Document Management Software (DMS) enables the efficient generation, retrieval and filing of documents. However, the range of software solutions is vast. Furthermore, many introduction projects fail due to inherent organizational challenges. This article introduces a methodology for preparing the successful implementation of a DMS in both theory and practice.

Standard software should be chosen based on the value created through it’s introduction within the firm. Business process improvements that are achieved after the software has been introduced create value for the company. Due to the vast amount of software companies and their products it is recommend to follow a structured approach when selecting standard software, assuring that a high degree of functional coverage and profitability surging through the introduction of the software are present. This approach is briefly introduced in this article.

The tasks of service organisations have become more and more complex during the past years and EDP-based service management systems have to meet new demands. At present, these demands lead to extensions to resp. further developments of established systems. Against this background, this article gives a survey of the development status of service management systems in German speaking countries on the basis of a current study of the Research Institute for Operations Management (Forschungsinstitut für Rationalisierung; FIR), Aachen. In addition to that, it presents a way of structuring and facilitating project work comprising the definition of requirements as well as the management of the tendering procedure among eligible contractors and the performance testing of the top candidates.