A key variable in DBA Manufacturing's value equation is a set of unique features that can take your business to a higher level of efficiency and profits. Consider the following six core elements that give DBA an edge over other manufacturing and ERP systems.

The Configurator
If you are in a quote-intensive environment with customizable products or services that come with features and options, our Configurator can dramatically cut quoting and production planning time and reduce costly errors. It can be used to configure the simplest to the most complex products or services. Few systems at any price level that can match this capability.

Make Jobs
Instead of requiring separate functions for quoting and estimating, order entry, shipping and invoicing, and production, DBA combines these into a single Make To- Order Jobs screen that reduces the number of steps to a minimum and locates all information about the job in a single "job folder." DBA also includes Make To-Stock Jobs, which are used for production purposes only, as well as Sales Jobs, which are used for order entry, shipping, and invoicing items from stock.

Multiple BOM Methods & Outputs
With DBA you are not limited to a single set of BOM specifications. You can define multiple "methods" to store specs for different revisions or batch sizes, and you can have multiple "outputs" if you produce by-products or coproducts or make more than one assembly at a time. You can keep the BOM simple with just a list of components or you can define routing stages and tasks with labor and setup rates.

Job Templates
With DBA you don't have to use BOM's if you prefer to store product or job specifications within "job templates." Each time you re-run a job, you copy the details from the job template, which can include freeform text and supplier catalog items. If your point of reference is the job rather than a part number, using job templates makes more sense and offers more flexibility than BOM's.

Part Number Alternatives
Most systems require all items to be defined with formal part numbers. DBA provides a 30-character part number, but you also can enter "freeform" items on the fly or use imported supplier catalog items. User-defined "tracking characteristics" overcome the limitations of part numbering schemes and can be used to track dimensions, grades, conditions, lot and serial numbers, expirations dates, bin or shelf locations, packing units, and more.

MRP
DBA is the only MRP system we know of that gives you the option of planning and generating jobs and PO's one level at a time. This enables you to easily see what's driving your requirements and allows you to make changes to the MRP planned orders before generating the next level. Full regeneration capability (up to 99 levels) is also provided. Setup options allow for ultra-simple item settings or advanced features such as safety stock, order policies, user-defined fixed or floating time buckets, and more.

What are our Credentials?
DBA's management and development team is comprised of former manufacturers who understand the real world issues faced by today's manufacturers and job shops, especially those in the 1-200 employee range. Our original product, DBA Classic Manufacturing, is an MRP enterprise system that was introduced in 1992 and is used today by thousands of companies worldwide. All our experience has been incorporated into DBA Manufacturing Next-Generation, a product that offers manufacturers and job shops the latest in technology combined with proven manufacturing solutions and innovative new features throughout.