Sicon Manufacturing is a set of modules created by the third-party developer Sicon for Sage 200 Professional. It is designed to centralise and streamline the entire manufacturing process in one simple interface. In this guide, we will run through the key features of Sicon Manufacturing, where it can be used, and its most important benefits.
What is Sicon Manufacturing?
The Sicon Manufacturing mobile for Sage 200 Professional features useful additional modules that can be used alongside many existing Sage 200 modules. It’s made up of projects, works order processing and estimating modules amongst others. It can be configured for high volume repeat production manufacturing or for a one-off project costed manufacturing.
It was fully introduced in early 2020 when Sage announced the retirement of its own existing manufacturing suit, and then partnered with Sicon as their manufacturing solution partner of choice.
It’s best suited to batch or discrete manufacturing companies, or integrated manufacturing and projects. Whether you’re already using the now retired Sage 200 manufacturing suite, or need to move on from Sage 50 Manufacturing (which has also now been retired), Sicon Manufacturing is intuitive and easy to use with its user-friendly interface. It’s fully maintained and installed within Sage 200 and runs within all Sage 200 companies.
It’s important to understand though that Sicon Manufacturing is only available for Sage 200 Professional. If you’re wanting strong manufacturing capabilities within your ERP system, Sage 200 Standard will not suffice as although a powerful ERP, it’s very much out the box and features less customisation than Sage 200 Standard.
You can learn more about the two versions of Sage 200 in our informative article – Eventura Compares Sage 200 Standard vs Professional.
The optional modules included in Sicon Manufacturing are the following:
- Works Order Processing
- Projects
- Estimating and Capacity Planning
- Resource Planning
- Material Planning
- Labour Recording
Key Features of Sicon Manufacturing
The Sicon Manufacturing package includes modules that will cover all parts of the manufacturing process, all the way from Estimating, Quoting and Works Order Processing (WOP), to Material and Resource Planning (MRP).
At all times labour, materials and costs can be tracked against individual jobs for enhanced reporting and data analysis. By having accurate visibility of every part of the manufacturing process, sales orders can be fulfilled in full and on time by avoiding bottlenecks in the manufacturing process.
There is also the Capacity Planning tool within the MRP module that clarifies and centralises key information needed for decision-making, such as staff levels, schedules, machine run times, departments and business routes. This allows for planning to be made against Works Orders and reports to be generated.
Integration with Other Sage 200 Modules
Sicon Manufacturing has been designed to work alongside other Sage 200 functionalities, not as a standalone product. This means that it seamlessly integrates with other Sage 200 modules such as core financials and commercials. Data is shared in real-time, and accuracy and visibility of the current business is achieved.
For example, it can use the standard Sage 200 Bill of Materials module to create Works Orders, for a simplified stock allocation and issuing process, which can then be linked to Sales Orders and Projects. Sales and Purchase Orders can be linked to the Projects hub to create commitments, and Purchase Ledger Invoices can be connected to any amount of projects.
It can also work alongside Quotations for improved and integrated estimating. Furthermore, most Sage 200 Modules include stock costing methods and traceability, meaning that by using Sicon Manufacturing, these processes can be optimised using real-time manufacturing data.
Benefits of Sicon Manufacturing
Utilising Sicon Manufacturing will see many manufacturing, distribution, or other warehousing businesses reaping a variety of benefits, especially when optimised to their full potential alongside other Sage 200 and Sicon modules
For example, with Projects centralising information and improving profitability reporting, it’s far easier to keep a transparent outlook on performance and act upon this in the most appropriate areas.
Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, labour costs, machine usage, estimates, quotes, Work Orders and final productions are all visible within a user-friendly interface so that you have complete control over fulfillment ability, costs vs estimates and ultimately profitability so that it can be increased.
Stock traceability and accuracy can also be increased, at both batch and serial number level on stock received and completed stock items. By integrating Sicon Barcoding and Warehousing, you can achieve full control over every stock item in your business. If anything does go wrong, it is far easier to trace it back to the source and mitigate issues.
The MRP module is very powerful because it pulls data from every aspect of Sage 200, including sales forecast, minimum stock levels and sales orders, meaning resource requirements are quickly identified and Works Orders and Purchase Orders are made based on this information. This makes the entire manufacturing process more manageable and efficient for highly improved productivity and profits.
As mentioned already, the Capacity Planning tool is incredibly useful and allows for the creation of reports so that the earliest possible delivery for a Sales order or Over Capacity areas can be completed, capitalising on available time and reducing delays.
On their own, these benefits are significant in that they increase manageability and productivity throughout any type of manufacturing organisation. However, to really benefit from them, Sicon Manufacturing is best used alongside other optional Sage 200 and Sicon Modules.
In particular, we have already mentioned Barcoding and Warehousing, and there is also the WAP Timesheets module that allows staff to log flexible work patterns directly into the system so that this time can be allocated against specific jobs that need completing.In addition, Shop Floor Data Capture allows real-time monitoring of operation progress which is then linked to the Projects hub and Works Order Processing Module.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that those in the manufacturing industry face a host of challenges that many industries dont. Sicon Manufacturing has been developed to solve these challenges, streamlining the manufacturing process from end to end by centralising all available data in one please. This not only streamline processes, it gives manufacturers the tools to gain full visibility of current position and profitability.
Why choose Eventura to help deliver your Sage 200 project?
With two decades of Sage deployments under our belt, we are experts in delivering robust Sage 200 solutions that are meticulously designed to suit your specific business needs. We take a full 360-degree view of your business, and help you identify all of your requirements.
We have particular expertise in helping industries such as manufacturing, construction and warehousing and distribution, where we have helped create bespoke solutions that tackle industry specific needs.
Our team of expert business analysts, developers, consultants, technicians and support staff will guide you through your Sage 200 project from conception, through to deployment and ongoing support.
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