In aerospace and defence supply chain manufacturing, compliance with AS9001 and customer-mandated requirements isn't optional. Yet many suppliers still rely on spreadsheets, PDFs and disconnected systems to assemble FAIRs, Manufacturing Record Books (MRBs) / Manufacturing Data Packs (MDPs) after the work is complete. The result is slow approvals, audit risk and unnecessary administrative overhead. What if generating a fully compliant AS9100 First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) took one click, instead of days of manual effort?
RamBase Cloud ERP takes a fundamentally different approach. By capturing inspection results, traceability and revision-controlled data live, against real jobs, RamBase can generate a complete audit-ready FAIR and MDP with a single action, directly from the system of record.
Instead of compiling compliance documentation retrospectively, aerospace and defence manufacturers using RamBase generate them automatically as a by-product of controlled execution. This is exactly what AS9100 expects: disciplined processes, governed data, and objective evidence that is accurate, complete and immediately auditable.
End-to-end control demand and ERP requirements
Aerospace and defence manufacturers operate under stringent regulatory and customer-driven requirements. Buyers issue controlled Technical Data Packs (TDPs) that define how products must be built. Suppliers must then execute against those requirements and deliver complete Manufacturing Data Packs (MDPs), including FAIRs, MRBs, inspection records, and full traceability as evidence of compliance. This end-to-end control demands a modern, industry-specific ERP system capable of governing customer-issued TDPs and generating complete, supplier-owned MDPs within a single, auditable platform.
In addition to complying with rigorous quality standards, these industries face the challenge of maintaining comprehensive traceability and auditability across all processes. From procurement to production to delivery, every step must be meticulously documented and easily traceable. Moreover, the need for disciplined revision control, serialisation, and secure, auditable documentation handling is paramount to ensure both product and documentation quality.
Why generic ERP solutions fall short
Generic ERP solutions often fall short in meeting the specialized needs of suppliers to the aerospace and defence industries. These systems, designed for broader applications, lack the industry-specific features necessary to manage the complexities of these sectors. For instance, they might not support the detailed FAIR workflows or automated MRB and MDP generation that aerospace and defence manufacturers require.
Moreover, generic ERP systems can struggle with the disciplined revision control and serialisation needed for high-compliance manufacturing. The lack of integrated quality management systems (QMS) and insufficient support for secure, auditable documentation handling further undermine their suitability for these industries. As a result, companies may find themselves resorting to cumbersome workarounds, such as spreadsheets and shared drives, which are prone to errors and inefficiencies.
Key features of specialized ERP for aerospace & defence
Specialized ERP solutions like RamBase Cloud ERP are designed to address the unique needs of the aerospace, space and defence supply chain. These systems come equipped with features tailored to ensure compliance, traceability, and documentation quality. Key features include:
- FAIR-ready inspection capture against live jobs: Ensuring that First Article Inspections are performed accurately and efficiently.
- Automated MRBs and MDPs: Streamlining the creation of Manufacturing Record Books and Manufacturing Data Packs, reducing administrative overhead and error rates.
- Controlled TDP handling: Ensuring that Technical Data Packs are managed with precision, including controlled upload and approval, revision tracking, and change history.
- Complete traceability: Providing end-to-end traceability from purchase order to dispatch, ensuring that every component and process is tracked and documented.
- Governed revision and configuration control: Maintaining strict control over revisions and configurations to prevent errors and ensure compliance with standards.
How RamBase Cloud ERP delivers industry-specific capabilities
RamBase Cloud ERP stands out by delivering industry-specific capabilities tailored to the needs of aerospace and defence manufacturers. The system's built-in quality management and traceability features ensure that documentation and compliance requirements are met with precision and efficiency. For example, RamBase supports the creation of FAIRs, MRBs, and MDPs with automated workflows that reduce manual effort and errors.
The platform also offers controlled TDP handling, ensuring that technical data is managed accurately and consistently. With features like revision tracking, change history, and direct linkage of TDP content to works orders, operations, and serials, RamBase ensures that the correct revisions are used every time, minimizing the risk of build errors and FAIR failures. Moreover, RamBase's comprehensive traceability features provide complete visibility across the entire value chain, from procurement to production to delivery. This level of traceability is essential for meeting the stringent compliance requirements of the aerospace and defence industries.
The importance of documentation and traceability
In aerospace and defence, documentation and traceability are not just operational requirements; they are critical components of compliance and quality assurance. Accurate and consistent documentation ensures that all processes can be audited and verified, which is essential for meeting industry standards and customer expectations.
Traceability, on the other hand, ensures that every component and process can be tracked throughout its lifecycle. This capability is crucial for identifying and addressing issues quickly, minimizing the risk of non-compliance, and ensuring the safety and reliability of products. In the event of a defect or failure, traceability allows companies to pinpoint the root cause and take corrective action, thereby enhancing overall quality and safety.
Griff Aviation recognizes the significance of meeting these expectations to ensure regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction. Here, RamBase Cloud ERP plays a crucial role in simplifying the complex task of regulatory compliance for Griff Aviation.
"The traceability and documentation features in RamBase have made it easy for us to comply with aviation regulations and meet customer demands."
Andreas Josefsen, Production Manager, Griff Aviation
Read the full case on how RamBase Cloud ERP has been a game-changer for growth at Griff Aviation.
Driving success and compliance with specialized ERP
Specialized ERP solutions like RamBase Cloud ERP are essential for driving success and ensuring compliance in the aerospace and defence industries. By providing industry-specific features and capabilities, these systems help manufacturers and suppliers meet the stringent documentation, traceability, and compliance standards required by these sectors.
As Odd Magne Vea, RamBase Chief Sales Officer puts it:
"If you try to solve everything, you end up solving nothing well. Our customers get an almost turnkey solution designed for demanding production environments, with built-in traceability and documentation capabilities that make their day-to-day work easier."
RamBase's focus on delivering tailored solutions for high-compliance manufacturing environments means that companies can achieve greater efficiency, reduce administrative overhead, and enhance overall quality and reliability. The system's integrated quality management and traceability features ensure that all processes are documented and auditable, providing the assurance needed to compete with confidence in the highly regulated aerospace and defence industries.
It should be clear that suppliers to the aerospace, space and defence industries require specialized ERP solutions to meet their unique operational and regulatory challenges. RamBase Cloud ERP delivers the capabilities needed to ensure compliance, traceability, and documentation quality, driving success and enhancing competitiveness in these demanding sectors.
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