Capability boundaries
Allocation of planning, order execution, quality, material flows, traceability and performance management to the appropriate system layer.
ERP-to-shop-floor architecture
Define the right boundaries between ERP and manufacturing.
The most consequential design decisions often sit between ERP and MES rather than within either platform. ABC defines where responsibility for planning, manufacturing execution, material movement, quality, traceability and master data should sit.
Arrange a conversation01 — Context
When ERP decisions affect the shop floor
ERP programmes standardise processes and data, while manufacturing requires real-time control, equipment interaction and context at order, batch and material level. Without deliberate system boundaries, capability gaps and duplicate functionality are almost inevitable.
- An unclear boundary between planning, dispatching and execution
- Fragmented ownership of order, material and quality status
- Duplicate traceability or inventory logic across platforms
- Point-to-point interfaces proliferating without a shared information model
02 — Key deliverables
From debate to explicit design decisions
ABC connects process choices with data ownership, application responsibilities and operational control.
Data ownership
Systems of record, status transitions, identifiers and the meaning of core objects such as orders, batches, recipes and inventory.
Integration concept
Events, messages, timing, exception handling and synchronisation principles across ERP, MES, WMS/WCS and OT.
03 — Approach
Make the operational impact of architecture explicit
Dirk uses concrete manufacturing scenarios to drive decisions: what happens when an order changes, material is unavailable, a quality hold is imposed or a production line stops? This makes architecture tangible and testable for operations and engineering.
The result is not a theoretical system diagram, but a practical operating model that guides requirements definition, integration design and supplier scope.
Aalten Business Consultancy
Make the system boundary a deliberate business decision.
Clear ERP-to-shop-floor boundaries prevent system responsibilities from emerging by accident and make integration and change easier to govern.
Arrange a conversationIntroductory call · 30 minutes · scheduled by email
info@aaltenbusinessconsultancy.com