Ep. 204 - Making ERP Work in Manufacturing | ERP Deep Dive with Glenn

04/13/25 • 83 min

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In Episode 204 of Manufacturing Hub, we wrap up our month-long ERP series with Glenn from Waites. Glenn shares a practical framework for understanding ERP systems—perfect for engineers, plant managers, and anyone who’s struggled with clunky ERP software. We break down key modules like Financials, Supply Chain, MES, and Asset Management, and explore how modern tools are reshaping ERP usability.

🔹 What You’ll Learn:

Glenn’s 3-part ERP mental model: Master Data, Transactions, Workflow
The difference between push vs. pull supply chain systems (MRP vs. Lean)
Why gross margin is the #1 financial metric you need to watch
How MES and condition monitoring tools integrate with ERP
Practical advice for engineers navigating digital transformation & MBAs

💡 Perfect for anyone struggling to make sense of their ERP, or looking to modernize their stack without losing their sanity.

📘 Recommended Reading:
Lessons in Industrial Instrumentation by Tony Kuphaldt – Free online technical resource

👤 Guest:
Glenn – Chief Product Officer at Waites and co-founder of a new digital transformation consultancy with Dylan Dufrene

🛠️ Sponsored by Talan
Experts in ERP integration across SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle
Learn more: https://www.talan.com
Catch Elvis from Talan in Episode 199

📌 Watch all ERP Month episodes: 199, 201, 203, 204
🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe & Hit the Bell!

#ERP #Manufacturing #MES #DigitalTransformation #IndustrialAutomation #ManufacturingHub #EngineeringLeadership #SCADA #PlantOperations #Waites #Talan

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🔹 What You’ll Learn:

Glenn’s 3-part ERP mental model: Master Data, Transactions, Workflow
The difference between push vs. pull supply chain systems (MRP vs. Lean)
Why gross margin is the #1 financial metric you need to watch
How MES and condition monitoring tools integrate with ERP
Practical advice for engineers navigating digital transformation & MBAs

💡 Perfect for anyone struggling to make sense of their ERP, or looking to modernize their stack without losing their sanity.

📘 Recommended Reading:
Lessons in Industrial Instrumentation by Tony Kuphaldt – Free online technical resource

👤 Guest:
Glenn – Chief Product Officer at Waites and co-founder of a new digital transformation consultancy with Dylan Dufrene

🛠️ Sponsored by Talan
Experts in ERP integration across SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle
Learn more: https://www.talan.com
Catch Elvis from Talan in Episode 199

📌 Watch all ERP Month episodes: 199, 201, 203, 204
🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe & Hit the Bell!

#ERP #Manufacturing #MES #DigitalTransformation #IndustrialAutomation #ManufacturingHub #EngineeringLeadership #SCADA #PlantOperations #Waites #Talan

******
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Previous Episode

Ep. 203 - From Spreadsheets to Structure: ERP for Machine Builders & SIs

In this episode, Dave and Vlad are joined by Jay and RJ from Total ETO to explore the often overlooked world of ERP for machine builders and systems integrators. While ERP conversations often focus on large-scale deployments like SAP or Oracle, this episode dives into the day-to-day of smaller, engineer-to-order (ETO) businesses—where spreadsheets still reign and project complexity is high.

Jay and RJ share their unique perspectives—Jay coming from 25 years in automation and becoming a Total ETO user-turned-employee, and RJ bringing three decades of software expertise focused specifically on this niche. Together, they break down:

The unique ERP needs of custom machine builders and SIs
Why project-based workflows don't fit traditional manufacturing ERPs
Common pitfalls like spreadsheet reliance and change order chaos
The difference between machine builders and system integrators (and how ERP can serve both)
How they approach implementation in 4–6 months, not 4–6 years
Why people who've used Total ETO often end up joining the company
Whether you're managing projects off scratch paper or already in the market for your first ERP, this episode is full of insights on how to bring structure and visibility to custom manufacturing.

💡 Key Topics
[00:02:00] Intro to Total ETO and backgrounds of Jay and RJ
[00:12:00] The life of a machine builder: high variability, custom BOMs, and the project-first mindset
[00:22:00] Why most ETO businesses still run on spreadsheets
[00:31:00] The emotional journey from ERP user to ERP evangelist
[00:39:00] System integrators vs. machine builders: similar goals, different workflows
[00:47:00] Why one-size-fits-all ERP fails for custom equipment manufacturing
[00:58:00] Getting buy-in for ERP: from small teams to company-wide rollouts
[01:07:00] Implementation: how Total ETO does it in under 6 months
[01:18:00] Integration with CAD tools like SolidWorks and Inventor
[01:26:00] The future: AI, web platforms, and the changing face of manufacturing software

🧠 Memorable Quotes
“Spreadsheets give me nightmares. That’s the main thing.” – Jay
“Nothing gets done accidentally. You have to make ERP implementation a priority.” – RJ
“We’re often a company’s first ERP—and we aim to be their last.” – RJ
“Everything in ETO is dynamic. It’s not static like mass production. And your ERP needs to reflect that.” – Jay

📚 Book & Content Recommendation
📰 Automation AMA – The Automation Navigator by Sean Dotson
Recommended by both Jay and RJ as an insightful, down-to-earth read for automation professionals.

🎉 Shoutouts
Thanks to TALAN for sponsoring this month’s ERP theme!

And a special mention to Taylor Dykstra for supporting Total ETO at ProMat this week!

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Next Episode

Ep. 205 - What Manufacturers Need to Know About UNS, MQTT, and Ignition After Prove It

Welcome back to a special Thursday edition of Manufacturing Hub!
In this episode, we dive deep into one of the standout presentations from the Prove It conference — featuring Travis Cox from Inductive Automation and Arlen Nipper from Cirrus Link Solutions.

🎥 We start by reflecting on the Prove It showcase, where Travis and Arlen demonstrated the power of Unified Namespace (UNS) and MQTT across every layer of the solution stack — from Edge devices, to the Ignition Gateway, to the Cloud.
➡️ Watch as we discuss their approach to scalability, ease of deployment, and why Ignition continues to lead the way in industrial digital infrastructure.

During the show, we cover:
✅ The real-world adoption of MQTT vs OPC UA in manufacturing environments, and why OPC UA is still dominant in many industries.
✅ Why naming conventions and early standardization are critical for successful UNS architectures.
✅ How to tackle data contextualization and overcome the "tech debt" so common in brownfield facilities.
✅ The importance of leadership-driven digital transformation and true IT/OT convergence.
✅ Why future-ready architectures require blending traditional technologies like OPC UA with MQTT and open standards.
✅ Insights into how small, medium, and enterprise manufacturers should approach digital transformation differently.

Travis shares incredible insights on:
🔹 The evolution of Ignition and its role as an IIoT platform
🔹 Why a common digital infrastructure is non-negotiable for scaling
🔹 How even small wins (like energy monitoring) can spark major cultural shifts in manufacturing organizations
🔹 The growing role of IT leaders in successful plant floor modernization efforts
🔹 How AI, ML, and advanced analytics will shape the future of real-time industrial operations

We also dive into broader industry trends seen at Prove It, including how other platforms like Frameworks (Tatsoft) and WinCC OA (Siemens) position themselves in the evolving digital manufacturing landscape.

Helpful Links: 🔗 Learn more about Inductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.com
🔗 Manufacturing Hub Podcast Archives: https://manufacturinghub.live

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro and Prove It Recap
5:30 - First impressions of the Inductive Automation session
11:50 - MQTT vs OPC UA in real-world manufacturing
18:10 - Challenges of UNS deployment and the importance of standards
28:40 - IT/OT convergence and building unified teams
38:20 - What sparks digital transformation success?
47:10 - How Ignition fits into modern industrial architectures
55:00 - Closing thoughts on Prove It and the future of manufacturing

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, digital transformation, and manufacturing leadership every week!