Why you need to use Sicon for manufacturing

Any business involved in the world of manufacturing knows how complicated the process can be. You’ve got to be able to keep on top of your different materials and everything that’s going on on the shop floor, all while delivering a consistently perfect product, with complete visibility and traceability over each step.  

To do this, you need the right systems backing you up – and this is where Sicon Manufacturing comes in.  Fully integrated with Sage 200, Sicon Manufacturing gives you a complete solution for real-time control and visibility over your entire process.  

Sicon’s main features 

As there are a wide range of tasks that go into managing the manufacturing process, you need a solution that’s versatile enough to be able to cover everything you need in one place.  

Projects 

Sicon Projects is designed to give you a complete real-time view over a whole project’s profitability by capturing costs including stock, purchase orders and timesheets. Working across projects of all sizes, Sicon Projects is fully integrated with Sage 200, so you’ve got a single source of data and everything is easy-to-use and feels familiar. 

Bill of Materials 

The Kitting module of Sicon Manufacturing allows you to create a bill of materials that can be amended before you start building the final product – either for Stock or directly within the Sage 200 Sales Order.   

Materials and Resource Planning (MRP) 

The Sicon Manufacturing MRP module, when used with Sicon WOP, streamlines the creation of Works and Purchase Orders. You’ll get tools for real-time capacity planning, early revenue recognition, and processing detailed customer applications and invoices. It also supports construction sales orders by generating matching contracts. 

Works Order Processing (WOP) 

Sicon Work Order Processing gathers production data from various sources such as stock, labour, machines and subcontractors, giving you comprehensive visibility of finished product costs and real-time stock updates. While it can work outside of Sage 200, when they’re integrated, you get even more functionality. 

Shop Floor Data Capture (SFDC) 

Sicon Shop Floor Data Capture (SFDC) allows shop floor operatives to clock on and off operations, recording live manufacturing information via an Android app. It links to Sicon Works Order Processing and Sicon Projects for real-time progress tracking.  

Captured time is stored in a centralised Sicon Timesheet, which can also integrate with other Sicon solutions, creating a complete activity record. SFDC also allows you to issue components to Works Orders and process related inspections. 

Barcoding and Warehousing 

Sicon Barcoding and Warehousing gives you real-time stock and order processing insights, while seamlessly integrating with Sage 200 and Sicon modules. Its Android-based interface works across a wide range of devices and offers standard warehouse functionality, using existing Sage data for a unified view of stock movements.   

What Sicon can offer you 

Having a more streamlined and advanced system to run your manufacturing will quickly start to translate into real-world benefits for your business. With increased efficiency and visibility, you’ll be able to see the following improvements in the way you work. 

Real-time data 

Sicon Manufacturing gives you clear real-time data as it’s seamlessly integrated with Sage 200, so your manufacturing data is easily accessible in the same place as the other areas of your business. That means you can be confident your shop-floor data is up-to-date and accurate. 

Traceability 

With clear real-time visibility over each step of your manufacturing process, you’ll be able to ensure top tier traceability, giving you confidence to find and resolve issues in the process, meaning you can consistently craft quality products and experiences for your customers and clients.  

Inventory management 

Thanks to its tools for barcoding and warehousing, combined with its clear views of your projects data, you’ll get all the real-time visibility you need over your inventory. Your inventory levels are also more closely integrated with your projects as you can issue stock to projects and/or works order depending on business requirements.  

Improved efficiency and integration 

Through the Works Order Processing and Project Costing modules, you’ll be able to improve planning and get more efficient stock control, cost control and improved customer service.  

Also, as its seamlessly integrated with Sage 200, your ERP and manufacturing systems are all accessible from the same place, which gives you one clear source of data for the business, making it easier, quicker and more reliable for your staff to get what they need.  

Boost your manufacturing efficiency with Thinc 

Whatever issues and inefficiencies your business faces in the manufacturing process, we’re here to help.  

Sicon only works in tandem with Sage 200 but requires no additional Sicon-specific user licenses or extra costs. However, we’d always recommend working with a trusted partner to get you set up and make sure everything works together smoothly.  

We’re experienced in both Sage 200 and the full range of Sicon add-ons, so we’ll be able to help you create a completely integrated solution that works to improve not just your manufacturing, but every element of your business.  

We also know that your business applications are only one part of a wider tech strategy you need to succeed. We also offer the complete package of services to power your growth, including managed IT, cyber security and cloud hosting.  

Our expert team are on hand to help you out with whatever tech you need to take your manufacturing to the next level. Just get in touch to send us a message or book a time for a no-obligation chat.