Shoe ERP selection without pitfalls: prioritize core functions, find the right direction for cost reduction and efficiency improvement

1. Inventory management: solving the problem of "multidimensional SKU management"

The complexity of SKU for footwear products far exceeds that of ordinary industries. A shoe may have dozens of shoe sizes and color combinations, and traditional manual accounting is prone to problems such as inventory confusion and stock shortages. The core value of the ERP inventory management module lies in "precise control+real-time visualization": it supports multi-dimensional inventory statistics by shoe size, color, style, and batch. The warehouse management can quickly query the inventory status of materials/finished products, and avoid production shortages or unsold finished products through scanning records of inbound and outbound inventory and inventory warning reminders. At the same time, the regular inventory function can timely correct inventory deviations, provide reliable data support for procurement planning and production scheduling, and adapt to the collaborative needs of multiple positions such as warehouse management, procurement, and production planners. ​

2. Production management: Connect the entire process from scheduling to delivery

The production process of the footwear industry is interrelated, and any delay in any process may lead to delivery delays. The ERP production management module serves as the "production command center", covering four core scenarios: production planning and scheduling, process tracking, progress monitoring, and piece rate wage accounting. The production supervisor can develop a production schedule based on sales orders, and the workshop leader can track the progress of cutting, needle sewing, molding and other processes in real time through the system to promptly address production bottlenecks; Statisticians can automatically calculate piece rate wages through the system, reducing manual errors. This module directly determines the production efficiency and delivery ability, and is the "necessary tool" for the core positions in the workshop. ​

3. Sales management: Implement a closed-loop system from order to reconciliation throughout the entire process

Sales are the "profit engine" of enterprises, and shoe sales often face problems such as large order volumes, high shipping requirements, and cumbersome customer reconciliation. The ERP sales management module connects the entire process of "receiving orders, shipping, and receiving payments" through four major functions: order entry, shipping processing, customer reconciliation, and sales data statistics. Sales and customer service can quickly enter orders and track shipping status in real time; Financial reconciliation personnel can automatically summarize accounts receivable through the system, simplifying the reconciliation process; Managers can accurately grasp the hot selling trend of products and optimize product structure through sales data reports. This module makes the sales process more efficient and the data more transparent, which is the "core support" of the front-end team. ​

4. Procurement management: Ensure accurate supply of "production materials"

Shoe material procurement involves multiple categories of materials such as shoe uppers, soles, and accessories, and must be accurately matched with production plans to avoid material shortages, shutdowns, or material backlogs. The ERP procurement management module achieves standardization of the procurement process through four major functions: supplier information maintenance, purchase order issuance, arrival acceptance, and accounts payable reconciliation. Procurement specialists can accurately issue purchase orders based on inventory gaps and production plans; The warehouse manager completes the arrival acceptance through the system to ensure that the material quality and quantity meet the standards; Finance can standardize the payment process through the accounts payable reconciliation function. This module is the "key bridge" connecting the supply chain and the production end to ensure the continuity of production. ​

2、 Advanced on demand: Medium to high priority features adapted to meet the development needs of enterprises

In addition to the four core modules, medium to high priority functions can be flexibly selected according to the size and development stage of the enterprise, further improving management efficiency. ​

1. Financial management: achieving precise control of "costs and funds"

The financial management module focuses on three core functions: cost accounting, accounts receivable and payable verification, and financial statement generation. It is the "financial center" of the enterprise. Automatically collect material, labor, and manufacturing costs through the system to accurately calculate individual product costs; Standardize fund flow through accounts receivable and payable verification; By automatically generating financial statements, provide decision-making basis for managers. Although this module does not directly participate in the front line operation, it can make the business data clearer and is an "important tool" for financial personnel and managers. ​

2. Product development management: standardize the process from design to sampling

For shoe companies with independent research and development capabilities, the R&D management module is indispensable. Standardize the R&D process through three major functions: BOM list maintenance, sample tracking, and design version management. Designers can update the BOM list in real time to ensure that production materials are consistent with design requirements; The technical supervisor can track the progress of sample making and optimize the design plan in a timely manner; The version management function can avoid confusion in design files and improve research and development efficiency. ​

3. Barcode/RFID and mobile collaboration: improving "operational convenience"

Barcode/RFID management reduces manual input errors and improves operational efficiency by scanning codes for inbound and outbound operations and reporting work; Mobile collaboration supports real-time reporting by workshop personnel, real-time tracking of order progress by sales, and remote monitoring of operational status by managers, making management more flexible. These two types of functions can significantly reduce the operational threshold for frontline positions and improve system utilization. ​

3、 Rational selection: Low to medium priority functions to avoid blind investment

Low to medium priority functions such as e-commerce platform integration and multi factory/multi store collaboration need to be selected based on the business scenario of the enterprise. For enterprises with a high proportion of e-commerce channels, e-commerce order synchronization function can be given priority consideration; Enterprises operating across factories and multiple stores can add multi terminal collaboration functions. Small and medium-sized shoe enterprises do not need to blindly pursue "full functional coverage", focusing on core modules can meet basic operational needs; Large shoe companies can gradually add advanced features according to their business expansion needs. ​

4、 Core principle of selection: Guided by "business needs" and rejecting "functional stacking"

When shoe companies choose ERP systems, they need to adhere to the principle of "core first, advanced later, practical first, and expansion later": first, ensure that the four core modules of inventory, production, sales, and procurement are adapted to industry characteristics; Secondly, based on the size and business model of the enterprise, select functions with medium to high priority; Finally, avoid blindly pursuing 'big and comprehensive', as functional redundancy not only increases implementation costs but also reduces system usability. ​

In short, the value of footwear ERP lies not in the number of functions, but in whether it meets the pain points of the industry and the needs of the enterprise. Only by clearly prioritizing functions, focusing on core processes, and selecting advanced functions as needed can ERP systems truly become a "management tool" for cost reduction and efficiency improvement, helping shoe companies seize the opportunity in fierce market competition.