Assuming that automating the materials process will be similar to the automating manufacturing or finance can be a huge mistake. The degree of complexity in implementing a materials system is significantly higher than the other two examples. The reason is the issue of standardisation. This is because no one materials management standard exists. Very few companies work exactly the same way, so each computerisation initiative will have its own unique twists.
Everyone involved in the project needs to understand this up front. No sophisticated materials management product will work right out of the box. Regardless of which vendor one chooses, one has to build into the project plan, the expectation of time required to adapt that product to one's process. One should avoid the temptation to try to retrofit the operations to fit the tool one has bought. This type of approach typically results in confusion, if not outright chaos. Instead, viewing the products as enabling tekhnology, and modifying them to meet one's unique materials process needs is the requirement.
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