Introduction

Consumer packaged goods companies have been always driven by three strategic imperatives: margin management, protection of brand equity and rapid response to changes in consumer demand. As the provider of Sage PFW ERP, the world's most widely used PC based process manufacturing solution, Sage understands that CPG companies need more from an ERP vendor than just a list of features, but a business partner who can provide ongoing value to you and your business. With sales of $630 million and more than 2.7 million customers worldwide, Sage provides process manufactures not only world class products but also world class support, training, financial stability and technical expertise upon which to grow your business for years to come.

Solutions

Sage PFW ERP, Sage's process manufacturing solution for the mid-market, provides CPG companies a competitive edge in meeting these key strategic objectives. Because Sage PFW ERP reflects over 20 years of continuous development in helping customers succeed, it is widely recognized as the industry defacto standard for functional richness. The following are highlights of Sage PFW ERP manufacturing strength by strategic need:

Margin Control - by helping process manufacturers address the twin pressures of price management and cost control, Sage PFW ERP provides effective and efficient margin management through many of its advanced features:

• Enterprise-wide planning and budgetin
• Streamlined order entry and support for complex price policies
• Optimized production routines
  • Powerful inventory optimization through Material Requirement Planning
    
  • Advanced formula management and quality tracking
    
  • Flexible batch control, batch sizing
    
  • Support for mixed mode production
    
  • Support for multi-level end-time kitting and packing
• Comprehensive purchasing and supplier management
• Advanced cost estimation and roll-up capabilities
• Objective driven formulation development

Protection of Brand Equity - in today's markets where brand choice is increasing while at the same time brand loyalty is decreasing, it is critical that CPG manufactures maintain brand expectations of the quality of product. Sage PFW ERP provides powerful tools for ensuring the maintenance of high product quality standards such as:

• Powerful computerized formulation laboratory
• Comparative physical properties analysis
• Comprehensive vendor quality analysis
• Multiple lot tracking methodologies
• Quarantine and expiration date control
• Complete QC data history maintenance

Rapid Response to Customer Needs - Sage PFW ERP is specifically designed to allow you to not only be faster and more accurate in operations but also be able to flexibly react to customer needs:

• "One stop" order entry providing same screen access to:
  • Customer history
  • Contract data
  • Custom pricing tables
    
  • Production data
    
  • Inventory data
  • Substitution data
• Option to launch batch orders from order entry
• Advanced material planning features
  • Material shortage analysis wizard
    
  • 7 different methods of automated batch sizing
    
  • Automatic unit of measurement for formulation and batches
    
  • "Backflush" material requisitioning
    
• "After the fact" purchase order processing for expedited purchases
  
• Option for formulation adjustments on batch ticket
  
• Automated Material Safety Data Sheet maintenance and printing