Sage recently surveyed 134 executives of small and mid-sized (SMB) manufacturers about the general health of their businesses and use of ERP software. The survey revealed that hiring is up, with 73% of respondents reporting that they've hired staff within the last six months. Two-thirds of the businesses surveyed felt that their accounting or ERP system helped them better serve their customers in the areas of product delivery efficiencies, open order tracking, raw material forecasts, and shorter lead times.
When asked about the specific conditions of their own manufacturing business over the next six months.
- 49 percent believed that new orders would increase.
- 47 percent felt that production would increase.
- 23 percent believed that inventories would increase.
