Dynamics 365 Industry Training Series - Manufacturing

Meeting Purpose

To provide a deep dive into manufacturing industry terminology and Dynamics 365 capabilities for sales partners.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding manufacturing-specific terminology is crucial for building trust with customers in sales conversations
• Dynamics 365 offers comprehensive solutions for various manufacturing types (discrete, process, repetitive, job shop)
• AI and Copilot integration in Dynamics 365 provides significant advantages for manufacturing operations and reporting
• Regular industry-focused sessions (every Friday) will cover different verticals to enhance sales partner knowledge

Topics

Manufacturing Industry Overview

• U.S. manufacturers: 638,392 (1.3% increase from 2023)
• Canadian manufacturers: ~90,000
• Global manufacturing revenue 2023: $13.5 trillion; 2024 projection: $14.16 trillion
• Types: Discrete, process, repetitive, job shop
• Dynamics 365 products tailored for different manufacturing types (e.g., Business Central for discrete, Finance and Supply Chain for enterprise-scale)

Key Manufacturing Terminology

• BOM (Bill of Materials): Subcomponents of a production order
• Routings: Steps in the production process (e.g., configuration, baking, painting)
• Machine centers: Equipment used on shop floors
• MRP (Material Resource Planning): Planning materials needed and timing
• MPS (Master Production Scheduling): Visual production scheduling
• MTO (Make to Order) vs. MTS (Make to Stock): Production strategies
• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): Used for order processing with large retailers

Technology Integration

• SolidWorks/AutoCAD: Engineering software with potential for ERP integration
• LLM (Large Language Model): AI program for data processing
• RMA (Returned Materials Authorization): Process for handling returns
• Lot control: Tracking products for recall management
• Customer service help desk: Often integrated with ERP for comprehensive tracking

AI and Copilot in Dynamics 365

• Copilot agents: Pre-built and custom AI assistants for various tasks
• Examples of Copilot assistance:
• Simplifying tasks for plant employees (e.g., drafting incident reports, updating manuals)
• Optimizing asset management (e.g., automated maintenance scheduling)
• AI integration requires quality data and modern cloud solutions

Reporting and Analytics

• Power BI dashboards for KPIs such as:
• Master production schedule output
• Inventory value and slow-moving inventory
• Shipping (full vs. partial shipments)
• Plan attainment tracking

Next Steps

• Attend upcoming industry-focused sessions (every Friday) for deeper vertical knowledge
• Utilize the provided terminology and concepts in initial customer discussions
• Leverage Massive IT's pre-sales consultants for product demonstrations and deeper dives
• Access the recording and slides for reference and sharing with team members
• Contact Chris Wolff or Carrie Saunders for any follow-up questions or support