Ein ERP-System sorgt als unternehmensweite Software für mehr Transparenz und Überblick selbst in komplexen Abläufen. Dies betrifft alle Bereiche vom Controlling über die Produktionsplanung und -steuerung bis hin zum CRM . Anwender erhalten in der Regel genau die Informationen, die Sie brauchen, zum richtigen Zeitpunkt.

Ein ERP-System stellt also einen lückenlosen und transparenten Informationsfluss zwischen einzelnen Abteilungen sicher. Insbesondere für produzierende Betriebe, die Teil einer Zuliefererkette sind, ist dies wichtig.

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Tasks and types of needs assessment

Die Bedarfsermittlung gehört zum Aufgabenbereich der Produktionsplanung und -steuerung (PPS) und ist eng verbunden mit der Materialwirtschaft bzw. Warenwirtschaft. Sie beschäftigt sich mit der Ermittlung des zukünftigen Materialbedarfs. Es ist ihre Aufgabe dafür zu sorgen, dass alle erforderlichen Ressourcen für die Herstellung zum optimalen Zeitpunkt, in der benötigten Menge am richtigen Ort sind. Die Materialien werden entweder von externen Firmen bezogen oder im Unternehmen selbst angefertigt. Man unterscheidet drei verschiedene Bedarfsarten:

  • Primary demand: This is the quantity of saleable end products and spare parts that are to be manufactured over a certain period of time. PPS creates a production program based on this.
  • Secondary requirements: This term covers the raw materials, goods and individual parts required for the production of primary requirements.
  • Third-party demand: This is the necessary demand for operating and auxiliary materials for the production and transportation of secondary demand.

The required primary products are often only available in large quantities due to economic and production-related factors. Here, the determination of requirements must not only take into account the costs for the goods and production, but also for transportation and storage, among other things. The aim is to make the material flow as efficient as possible, thereby shortening throughput times and minimizing stock levels.

ERP systems determine optimal demand levels

Um dieser Anforderung gerecht zu werden, setzen viele Produktionsunternehmen ein ERP-System ein. Es hilft der Materialwirtschaft dabei, die Bedarfsstände bestmöglich zu planen und die wirtschaftlichen Betriebsmittel optimal zu koordinieren. Zu jedem Zeitpunkt liefert es aktuelle Daten zu Lagerbeständen und zur Materialverfügbarkeit, die von allen Anwendern eingesehen und aktualisiert werden können.

In addition, professional ERP solutions automate numerous processes that employees would otherwise carry out manually. These include, for example, material planning and the creation of production orders and parts lists. This reduces the workload and the associated costs.

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FAQ on needs assessment

What is meant by needs assessment?

Determining requirements is the business process in which the future material or service requirements of a company are determined – i.e. what quantities are needed in what period to ensure production, procurement or services.

What are the different types of requirements?

When determining requirements, a distinction is typically made between primary requirements (sales products or end products), secondary requirements (raw materials, individual parts or assemblies for the production of primary requirements) and tertiary requirements (auxiliary and operating materials that are not directly incorporated into the product).

What methods exist for determining requirements?

Common methods include program-oriented (deterministic) determination of demand, which is based on planned production or sales programs, consumption-oriented (stochastic) determination of demand based on historical data, as well as heuristic methods or rule-based approaches if data is only available to a limited extent.

Why is a precise needs assessment important?

Precise determination of requirements prevents shortages or oversupply: If too little material is planned, production losses or delivery delays occur; if too much is planned, storage and capital commitment costs increase. A good determination of requirements therefore contributes to cost efficiency and process reliability.

How is the determination of requirements related to an ERP system?

An integrated ERP system makes it possible to combine data from stock, production programs, parts lists and orders and automatically calculate requirements and trigger orders. This makes the determination of requirements more efficient, more transparent and less prone to errors.

What are the advantages of a modern needs assessment for companies?

Modern demand forecasting makes it possible to optimize stock levels, reduce throughput times and ensure material availability. At the same time, better coordination of production, purchasing and logistics is possible, which leads to more agile and leaner processes overall.