#WIP Tracking software

[bmpmp3]

IA 2.0 voisona test with a short version of drag on dragoon's ending B song tsukiru/exhausted :) now i can hear Lia's beautiful dulcet tones sing scary scary songs

[thedailyvio]

Day 155

[writeblrcafe]

A Comprehensive Guide for Writing Advice

Sometimes, despite enjoying writing so much, something is not working for you. Maybe your well of ideas has run dry. Or your WIP has hit a corner and you can't find your way out to the end of the story. Or you need to go back to your finished draft and see if there are any kinks to clear up.

Fortunately, everyone at Writeblrcafé has experienced such, and to help you out, we have a bunch of links to helpful posts by fellow writers to help you along on your writing journey as well as some helpful links to other websites, resources and software.

General:

WHY IS WRITING IS SO FUCKING HARD? (@writers-hq)

Writer Block First Aid Kit (@isabellestone)

Websites for writers (masterpost @2soulscollide)

Writing advice (masterpost @theliteraryarchitect)

Writing resources (masterpost @stinastar)

One look thesaurus (a reverse dictionary where you can enter words or concepts)

Coming Up with Ideas:

97 Character Motivations (@theplottery)

Character Flaws (@fantasyfillsmysoul)

Character Profile (@mistblossomdesigns)

Characters Unflawed (@emptymanuscript)

Why Theme is More Important than Plot (@theplottery)

Weekly writing prompts on Reedsy

Drafting:

3 of the worst story beginnings (and how to fix them) (@theplottery)

Cheat Sheet for Writing Emotion (@myhoniahaka)

Creative Writing for Writers (@writerscreed)

Describing Physical Things (@wordsnstuff)

How to Craft a Natural Plot (@theplottery)

How to Write a Story? (masterpost @creativepromptsforwriting)

How to write: ethnicity & skin colour (@youneedsomeprompts)

What the F is Show Not Tell (@theplottery)

Writing advice from my uni teachers (@thewritingumbrellas)

First Draft: story outlining template meant to help with planning your next big writing project (@fauxriot)

The wonder/ discovery arc (@evelynmlewis)

How to structure a chapter (@theplottery)

How to pace your storytelling (@charlesoberonn)

How to write and research mental illness (@hayatheauthor)

Seven Blogs You Need To Read As An Author (@hayatheauthor)

Editing/Revising:

Eight steps in making the editing process of your book easier (@joaneunknown)

Kill Your Darlings (@tibodine)

Self editing tips (first pass) (@projecttreehouse)

Publishing:

Chill Subs: biggest database for literary magazines and small presses; track your submissions and get your writing published!

5 steps to get your novel ready to self-publish (by @nanowrimo)

Resources for finishing and publishing your novel (masterpost by @nanowrimo)

For self-publishing: this page gives you the exact pixel count of a book spine based on its page count, and/or a template you can use for the correct width/height ratio.

Software:

Scrivener: one time payment of $60 or 70€ (macOS/windows), $24 (iOS; no Euro listed for iOS); used by professionals, many tools to write and organize your novel

Bibisco: free and "pay what you want" version; multilingual, world building, character profiles, writing goals, story timeline, mind maps, notes and more templates to write a novel.

Manuskript: free open source-tool; outliner, novel assistant, distraction-free mode

Ghostwriter: a free and open alternative which has a decent interface with some interesting features, like Hemingway Mode, which disables one's backspace and delete keys, emulating a typewriter.

NaNoWriMo: an international contest to encourage writers to finish writing their novel with many events, groups for exchange with fellow writers, helpful writing advice and help for self-publishing and publishing traditionally.

Campfire Writing: website, desktop app, and mobile app, with tools built in to help manage characters, magic systems, research, etc. It has a great free option, plus monthly, annual, and lifetime purchase options. It also has built-in NaNoWriMo compatibility and a catalogue of tutorials and writing advice videos (suggestion by @harfblarf)

Websites And Writing Apps Every Author Needs In 2023 (@hayatheauthor)

Let us know in the comments if there are any links we could add to it! Reblog this post to help a fellow writer.

Support our work by buying a cup of coffee on KoFi.

[rinwritingcorner]

May I ask the software you use to write?

Congratulations on getting so much done!

Thank you so much. And, of course.

I use the Reedsy Book Editor for all of my writing projects, and I've been using it for about three years now. I also have experience with other amazing softwares, and I would love to create more tutorials on them if you need me to.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to use the Reedsy Book Editor.

When you visit the website, the first thing you'll come across is this page. It's a completely free writing tool with a fantastic interface. All you need to do is sign up with your Google or Facebook account.

After you've completed the sign-up process and provided some information about yourself, you will be directed to this page. Please locate the "Books" option in the website's header.

Feel free to give your book/WIP (Work in progress) a title. Remember, it's okay if it's not your final title, as you can always change it in the settings of your book later.

Once you've created it, you can take your time and when you're ready, you can click "Write.”

Once you click "Write," you'll be directed to the next page. There, you'll find your chapters, the space to write your manuscript, and a sidebar with various helpful features provided by Reedsy.

Then, you can choose any name for your chapter that feels meaningful to you.

You can also track your writing goals for your specific manuscript or book. This feature provides insights into your writing habits, such as the days you've written and the number of words you've written. You can also set a target word count goal for the manuscript, and you also have the option to set manual writing goals. Additionally, you can check the word count in your current chapter from the bottom of the widget.

You have the option to set a deadline and choose the days that work best for you to write. This will help Reedsy estimate a realistic word count goal for you.

Remember that on Reedsy, there's a new beta feature that allows you to plan and outline your novel without having to leave the website. It offers note cards for you to jot down the plot and scenes from your novel, which can serve as a helpful guide and provide a simple outline to support your writing process.

Also, don’t forget the various features available to you when creating your book in Reedsy. For instance, you have the option to include preset formatted pages such as a dedication page and an epigraph that resonates with your story. These features can add a lot of value to your book, and I encourage you to explore them further.

Hopefully this can help you understand the basics of Reedsy Book Editor. One of my favorite writing softwares that is completely FREE!

Hey fellow writers! I'm super excited to share that I've launched a Tumblr community. I'm inviting all of you to join my community. All you have to do is fill out this Google form, and I'll personally send you an invitation to join the Write Right Society on Tumblr! Can't wait to see your posts!

[miseriathome]

My laptop's hard drive crapped out, but I got it replaced.

Unfortunately, the shop wasn't able to recover my data. The good news is that I didn't keep much on my hard drive. The bad news is that I've lost my fanfic (including SO. MANY. WIP'S. AND. BRAINSTORMS.), a bunch of art, and stuff like tax documents (obtainable elsewhere but it's a pain in the ass to track everything down).

They set me up with a fresh, updated install of Windows which is cool because now a bunch of stuff that was previously wonky now works. However now I'm going through the intellectually stimulating but emotionally hell process of laptop setup, starting with reinstalling soooo many softwares and lobotomizing the hell out of Windows.

[misguidedghostie]

❀ hello beautiful people of writeblr!

i’ve been lurking in this little corner of the internet for a while now, so I figured it was about time to introduce myself.

my name is kayli (she/her) but you can call me kay or ghostie! this is actually a side blog, so i follow from @bookishfreedom (and you can also find me on instagram at @bookishfreedom !)

❀ what i write

I write a little bit of everything, although most often fantasy and romance, and i always have multiple WIPs floating around. I’m really good at starting things, but not so good at finishing them… so I’m working on keeping one focus at a time

most of what i write is original work, but i used to be pretty into writing fanfic, and it’s something i’d like to get back into, if only a little. just as a low-pressure way to keep the creative juices flowing

❀ why I’m here

i’ve been writing for fun since i was old enough to hold a pencil, but i haven’t always been good at making writing a priority. i figure if I’m ever going to achieve my dream of someday being traditionally published, that needs to change

this blog will probably be a mix of things - writing excerpts, inspo, and whatever else writing related I come across :) hoping it’ll help keep me accountable, as well as being a fun way to track my writing journey.

and most importantly, I’d really love to make some writing friends 💖 so come say hi in the notes, i’d love to find lots more writers to follow and chat with. (i’ve never done them but consider me a tag game -friendly blog!!)

❀ my current (primary) wips

project birdsong - wlw romantasy (drafting)

• witch hunter x witch, enemies to lovers

• elemental magic

• lesbian mc & bi love interest

project red hood - low fantasy (outlining)

• loosely a little red riding hood retelling

• feminine rage, burn down the world vibes

• bi assassin FMC

❀ misc fun facts about me

I’m 24, bi, and recently diagnosed audhd

I’m a software engineer by day, and by night i have far too many hobbies fighting for my attention (incl but not limited to: reading, painting, video games, hiking…)

in college i minored in both german and creative writing (because i am an indecisive bitch at heart)

I don’t have any pets of my own, but at any given moment I am almost certainly fostering at least one animal!

❀ if anyone read all of that

you have earned my undying love and devotion. let’s be friends? 🥹 my dms are always open if you ever need someone to rant about writing with

[rebelcracker-s]

hey! this is chance & here’s this week’s prompt. what websites or resources do you use while you write or develop a character/story? what do you think of them and would you recommend them?

hi! tysm for the ask! ✨

i don't use that many websites for development, but here are the ones i use for basically every project:

google docs is the software i use for the actual writing and sometimes planning. i've been using it for a while and i like using it because i find it very convenient, esp. the document outline that i can use to quickly jump through novel-length projects. i also like using google sheets for outlines, word count, and other methods of organization as well as google keep for writing down ideas.

if i don't use google docs/etc, i always use campfire. i absolutely love campfire because of its user-friendliness and its personalization. it's very convenient for someone who has multi-faceted worldbuilding or an intricate lore they have to keep track of. since i wrote mostly speculative works, i usually use the character module the most to create profiles of my characters, but will gladly use the other modules as needed.

pinterest is really good for inspiration and gathering images that have the specific vibe of my wips. i love using it for character faceclaims, outfits, settings, etc. and have gotten inspiration from pinterest images many times.

i'm one of those writers who needs background music to function, so i use spotify and make playlists with songs that match the vibe of each wip :3

[tonydaddingham]

hey….totally unprompted question not prompted by terrible visions but do you have any tips for making amvs / any suggestions for editing softwares (preferabky on mobile but computer can work too) ? 😁

oh babe ive GOTCHU okay so obligatory "im just a girl that can't escape the brainrot" disclaimer. im not an expert, i do not do this professionally in any capacity, and im sure more seasoned video makers and editors will look at this list and think it's horseshit - and they'd be right!!! but for what it's worth here are the things that help me:

okay so first off, i edit everything (inc music, bc i do Not have the capacity to make edits to a full 4 min song) on my phone, so you've come to the right place - this nifty little app here is what i use.

is it good? as long as you're happy with it not being overly flash, yeah sure. does it get the job done? well id like to think so, as long as you're willing to get a bit creative/think outside the box on occasion. is it free? fuck yeah, as long as you don't want the spanglier functions.

okay so as for creating the vids themselves (very good omens centric, btw):

(here is where i wrote loads of shite but i remembered that you, dear anon, would have to read this and probably just want a simple list but always happy to discuss in more detail just lmk)

(edit: turns out, anon, that i still couldn't keep it to a simple list!!! and for that im very sorry)

obligatory start with: get good quality rips of the show. i didn't do this in the beginning and a lot of my old stuff is uploaded in 720p as a result, whereas now i can upload... decently in 2180p. the longer upload time is worth it. oh, and there is a small aspect ratio difference between s1 and s2, and it's the bane of my fucking life especially when i miss it and it's So Obvious To Me that ive missed it post-upload. don't make my mistakes 💕

right. advice. first, storyboard your vid. even if the song is not particularly relevant to the show/story but has Blorbo Potential™. look at the song you've got, and break it down lyrically (if applicable). what are the words saying? what is the story being told? is it thematically relevant/meta (e.g., RUTH), or is it just so applicable to Them that it's a bit embarrassing (e.g., meatloaf)? or is it neither, and it's just a Vibe (e.g., sushi restaurant)? there have been times where ive had to write out the lyrics physically and make notes on what scenes/bits to put to certain lyrics, in order to not feel overwhelmed with the whole thing... even if i change it later on/it ends up not working out anyway. but yeah take a sec to actually look at your song and work out if you have enough material to tell the story you want to tell in it - ie. not just the chorus/a bit of a verse. (ive fallen into this trap Many a time and have a Lot of abandoned wips floating around as a result)

related to the above, and i can't imagine it will be a problem lol, but being Very Familiar with the source material helps. pay attention to blocking and angles, especially if you want to do a cool/slick transition, or want to group together similar shots for a bit of visual interest and satisfying brain itching (e.g., 00:31 onwards of best shot). keep a track of filler bits, like clicks/hand claps/funny faces/dancing/dramatic head turns, because not only is it sometimes helpful for when you've got a musical interlude, but it can help maintain the tempo. (e.g., beginning of darkness)

ALSO related to the first point, and just a general tip - you don't have to start from the beginning. start, for example, with That Emotional Part where you can Perfectly see a part of the show cut to it. (e.g., cut to the feeling, where i started with the 1941 bullet catch at 1:18-1:27 for the bridge, and then built on it backwards). it helps with motivation too, when you find The Good Bit that you knows others will hate you for 🥰

in general, i recommend to keep the big set pieces (bullet catch, kiss, wall slam, in the beginning, on the wall, bookshop fire) in your back pocket for the Big Emotional, Heart-Swelling points of the song, and build on them from there. if you can, exercise symmetry in your scene choices across the choruses (e.g. dog days), or bookend the vid with the same scene (e.g., bon jovi intro and 1:45); i find it keeps a Theme going and drives up the emotional payoff, and again helps with storyboarding (dog days example: i framed as flashbacks, bon jovi example: i framed it as a flashforward)

i know others do this, and it is Not me criticising it at All because it can be soooo effective, but my personal style tries to avoid mouth movements as much as possible (unless it matches the lyrics, and then i keep it in because it's funny - e.g., "yeah" at 0:39 for bon jovi). so to that end, if you're looking to do the same thing/same style, be mindful of when expressions change/mouths start to move - it can literally be a matter of 0.1s, but be jarring if left in. this does regrettably mean losing a lot of source material (bc. yk. they talk in it, not just make Faces at each other), but i personally try to keep it to a minimum or try to keep any mouth movements out of focus.

now. i love a short cut. i go mad for a short cut. i go berserk for fast, sharp scene changes, they're like crack to me. prefer them to using huge stretches of clips. but!!! when actually editing (especially with the above app that whilst great, is not very good on refresh rate/buffering), id recommend exporting your video periodically or after doing a particularly choppy/fast bit, and Checking if it works/it's in time with the music. rewatch it 5, 10 times to make sure. you will constantly have to adjust stuff if you're creating the vid out of sync, unfortunately, but it will honestly help so much. it'll just give you a "ah yes i have 10 fast cuts there, and sure it only makes up for around 5 secs of actual screen time, but it's perfectly in sync and very satisfying, good job me" feeling, which is awesome. if you have issues with timing, consider downloading an overlaying metronome track in the bpm you need, and match it to that. (that saved in me in more of my vids than i care to count)

that being said, don't use short cuts if it doesn't suit the song!!!💕 or at least try to use a mix of them to give the vid some pacing. i like a pop or rock song, me, so i naturally tend to go for higher bpm songs (rip) anyway, but i try to get some longer cuts in there (especially around the intro/bridge) to give the viewer some breathing room (e.g., 0.00-0.44 for hero)

biggest advice tho: just have fun with it. create what You want to watch. do you listen to a song and think GOD THAT SCENE WOULD BE SO GOOD HERE??? then DO IT!!!💕 it doesn't have to slick or flash or overly clever in the transitions or effects, if you don't necessarily want it to be. don't get me wrong, they can look bloody spectacular - some of my favourite vids are really polished and impressive!!! but some of my faves are technically really basic, but they Understand the material and they Understand storytelling. equally some very kind people have told me that mine are some of their favourites (still makes me grin, months later!!!) and my transitions/effects are rudimentary at best. people will see your Vision because it is a Great Vision and will love your work regardless of the quality. you will improve with time, you will recycle bits and use them in new ways, you will learn skills and shortcuts that you will do better the next time. please pls plssss just create and have fun with it, god knows we need it in the world rn 💖

if there's anything else that i can answer or help with, anon, pls let me know!!! good luck my darling!!!💕

[endollvors]

hello! Cold Calling the Jedi Order for wip wednesday?

The image resolved faster than the last one. Likely because, with the way they were curled on their side on some kind of bedroll, this jedi more greatly resembled the mountain ranges the projector was designed for. Between the blanket and pillow, barely more than half their face was visible but they looked near human. Young too, maybe. Cody made a considering noise and Fox tipped his head and moved his hand to point at him over top of the keypad. Then, before anyone could stop him, he typed and sent: “you look like shit sir”

“Fox!” Bly’s shout echoed around the clearing.

The Jedi’s first response translated to a series of nonsense syllables the transcription software couldn’t handle, then the screen jittered as they shifted and their hair fell over their face. The edges all indistinct and inconsistent. Several chunks too light to match the rest of their hair. The jedi visibly squinted. The display read “Um.” Then, they blinked slowly enough for their projector to track the motion.

“So much for, ‘the Jedi are faster than you’ll ever be able to match.’” Fox said derisively, and sent another text message. “sorry for the signal delay”  Then, a moment later “equipment problem”

“Seriously, how can you type that fast?” Wolffe interrupted and Fox ignored him in favor of watching the Jedi respond to the first of his questions.

“Sure, I’m- I mean I’m not a Jedi,” The not-Jedi visibly winced, all their lines going sharp at the motion. “But, before, I was- I can answer your questions, at least.”

“thank you sir” Fox typed politely the same moment the not-Jedi clearly received the message about looking like shit and dissolved into a blur as the display transcribed his laughter.

[clericofshadows]

WIP Saturday!

tagged by the lovely @rotschopf-thedrow :D thank you!

rules:

In a reblog (or new post/w rules attached) post up to five filenames of your WIPs, not titles, file names

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be something you wrote in the last 7 days (we're posting progress here. If you haven't made any, go make some and come back to post!)

After you've posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can't share from, write 3 sentences on it anyway and then 3 more on another to share!

That's it! You can invite others to join in or just post. If you tag me in your post, I will send you an ask request.

as usual, tagging anyone who sees this and wants to participate :)

I name my files the title of my fics lol, I usually come up with the title pretty early.

nothing will shine as bright: Kaidan Alenko/Zaeed Massani meet the parents fic, and where Kaidan shows off how powerful of a biotic he really is. (ME1-ME2 ERA)

don't ask about Ryuusei: My write-up of the Citadel DLC prologue (POST WAR). Regis Shepard/Zaeed Massani/Kaidan Alenko.

tear it down, start again (tentative title): Regis Shepard/Zaeed Massani, takes place directly after feeling numb, lost in time. Regis confronts Aria, confronts Miranda, and prepares to grab the Convict dossier. He also opens Grunt's tank, although not without some reservations. (ME2 ERA)

zorya: Regis Shepard/Zaeed Massani. The write up of Zaeed's loyalty mission. (ME2 ERA)

and I will post a snippet from don't ask about Ryuusei under the cut :)

“Listen,” he said, getting Moreau’s attention.  “I’m going to go after her.  I’ve already sent word to Kaidan and Zaeed but rally the crew.” “Rally the crew and your crazy husbands, got it,” he said, slowly getting up from the cover. Regis smirked and kept an eye on Moreau, waiting for a trooper to try and get the obvious bait, holstering his Eagle.  And then, one shouted.  “Hey!” Regis reached up and yanked the merc over his cover, flash-forging his omni-blade and sinking it in his chest with a growl. He took the weapon off the corpse, not recognizing it as anything currently on the market, much less the Spectre market.  Lightweight, suppressed, and human made. Interesting. “You used me as bait!” Moreau accused. “Yes, I did.  Now get the hell out of here!” Regis replied, twisting his fingers into a barrier, feeling the dark energy settle over him.  He forged his Tech Armor as well, trying to provide as much protection on him as possible before leaving the compromised position. Regis peaked around the corner, aiming with the new pistol and headshotting the nearest merc, watching in satisfaction as they collapsed to the ground.  The gun barely made a sound, low enough to not be immediately detected as a gunshot. Well, his Eagle is going to be useless.  Damn. His favorite gun is already overshadowed by some new black market tech.  He crept forward, gathering dark energy in one hand, twisting it into a Reave, tossing it at the nearest merc.  The merc panicked, making him a perfect target.  Pull the trigger, and then–dead. Regis prepped an overload on his omnitool, using his eye-tracking software to pinpoint the group of mercs near the bar, creeping towards his location.  In a flash of red, he overloaded their shields in a rain of sparks, making them vulnerable to a blast of dark energy.  He teased the energy in his palm, twisting his fingers to point forwards into a shockwave.  The energy pulsed on the ground before blowing up in their faces, knocked out by the force of the blast. “I’m over here!” Brooks called out.  Shit.  Another merc turned towards his direction, walking away from his position at the bar.  Can she not read the fucking room? Regis reloaded the pistol, grabbing a fresh heat sink from the ground and vaulting over the bar.  He rushed towards the merc, detonating his tech armor with a clench of his fist, causing them to stagger.  He forged another omni blade and stabbed it through the helmet, ripping it away in a spray of blood. There definitely goes his suit.   Brooks was lying on the glass in front of the entrance.  He ran towards her, gunning down the merc guarding the entrance.  He slid down to her.  Holding out a hand, he helped her up, her grip very tight.  “You alright?” Regis asked, brushing off his vest, stuffing the new gun in his other holster.  “Come on, we need to–” He heard the sound of jet-propelled armor, and then a flash of red.  She pushed him out of the way. Brooks took the shot meant for him, clipping her side. Regis gritted his teeth as he moved to get up, winded by the way he fell on his back.  The merc continued to fire around him, missing every shot, hitting the glass… Well, shit.  His visor flashed with warnings, the glass started to creak ominously, and then– The glass shattered.

[quiobibingo]

Rules & Info

The relationship between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan must be the focus of the fanwork, and that relationship can be either gen or romantic.

The fanwork must be a new piece of work: a. New work posted to a pre-existing series (i.e. a part 2, not a chapter 2) is allowed. b. New chapter posted to a pre-existing fic/WIP (i.e. chapter 1 was already posted prior to cards going out) is not allowed.

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[time-to-write-and-suffer]

Looking into the code of twc book3, it's a fucking mess. No wonder choices don't matter. I saw she made a comment about how much better she knows choice script now?? And like??? It's only gonna get worse since nothing is tracked properly or even in a way thay makes sense. I understand authors are not programmers but I feel like the lack of effort is apparent

The whole "authors are not programmers" thing is partly why my own IF WIPs have taken an indefinite break. Even with simple code like in Twine, it's difficult when you don't know what you're doing and it's your first time. Half of my problems with Twine's code is not knowing the programming terms that are relevant and thus being unable to look for help/tutorials.

But like ... you can probably hire a programmer? If you have editors and beta testers (which, AFAIK, she has) you can defo get a programmer to do all the coding while you focus on the story itself. And since it's not "proper" code compared to bigger software projects, it'd probably be a bit cheaper, too.They'd probably be more useful to you than an editor, even, because even if your shitty prose doesn't work, at least the code will.

It's so frustrating because so many good stories never get finished or even get off the ground because the author doesn't have the resources to get a programmer or the time to learn to code themselves, but people who do have the resources just don't care enough to spend them where it matters.

[shantitechnology]

Inventory Management in Manufacturing: How ERP Software Can Help

In the dynamic domain of manufacturing, proficient inventory management plays a crucial role in achieving operational success. Manufacturers endeavour to achieve a nuanced equilibrium between fulfilling customer demand, reducing expenses, and maximising overall operational efficiency. The maintenance of this delicate equilibrium relies on the implementation of efficient and accurate inventory management procedures. In contemporary times, the utilisation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software has emerged as a paradigm-shifting instrument, fundamentally altering the manner in which manufacturers do inventory management. Stay ahead in the competitive manufacturing landscape. Streamline operations with ERP manufacturing software for small businesses designed and developed by STERP (Shanti Technology).

This blog post explores the complexities of inventory management within the manufacturing industry and emphasises the crucial role that Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software plays in enhancing the efficiency of this vital component.

Understanding the Significance of Inventory Management in Manufacturing:

Inventory management encompasses the supervision of a company's inventory, with the objective of optimising the utilisation and replenishment of stockpiled products, while also maximising their overall value. Inventory in the manufacturing industry encompasses three main components: raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished products. Ensuring an appropriate equilibrium of these constituents is of utmost importance for a multitude of reasons:

·         Customer Satisfaction and Demand Fulfillment:

Meeting client demand is crucial for achieving success in the company. The timely availability of appropriate inventory plays a crucial role in ensuring the prompt fulfilment of orders, hence enhancing customer satisfaction and cultivating enduring customer relationships.

·         Cost Optimization:

Effective inventory management plays a crucial role in minimising carrying costs, encompassing expenses related to storage, insurance, and obsolescence. This practice guarantees that capital is not needlessly tied up and reduces the likelihood of both excessive inventory and insufficient inventory.

·         Production Efficiency:

Production efficiency refers to the ability to maintain an appropriate level of raw materials and components in order to ensure smooth production operations and minimise disruptions caused by material shortages.

·         Insightful Decision-making:

The acquisition of precise data regarding inventory levels and patterns offers significant advantages in terms of strategic planning, demand forecasting, and procurement decision-making.

ERP Software for Inventory Management:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is designed to consolidate and streamline several corporate operations and functions inside a unified system. Empower your small manufacturing enterprise. Take control of production, inventory, etc. with STERP’s best ERP software for small manufacturing businesses.

In the realm of manufacturing, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) assumes a crucial function in augmenting inventory management through the utilisation of the following mechanisms:

·         Real-time Inventory Tracking and Visibility:

Real-time inventory tracking and visibility are facilitated by enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which offer instantaneous information regarding inventory quantities, locations, and movements. The increased level of visibility enables producers to make well-informed decisions promptly, hence decreasing the probability of experiencing stockouts or having excessive inventory.

·         Accurate Demand Forecasting:

Accurate demand forecasting is achieved through the utilisation of advanced analytics and historical data within Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This practice guarantees that the manufacturing and procurement processes are in accordance with market demands, hence mitigating the risk of excessive inventory or insufficient supply.

·         Automated Reordering and Restocking:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software facilitates the automation of the reordering process by initiating purchase orders for raw materials or components when inventory levels decline below specified criteria. This automated process enhances operational efficiency and reduces the occurrence of human errors.

·         Optimized Order Management:

Efficient order management is facilitated by the integration of order processing and inventory data within an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Manufacturers possess the power to allocate priority to orders by considering factors such as the availability of inventory, production capacity, and customer-imposed deadlines. Experience hassle-free manufacturing operations. STERP’s ERP software for the manufacturing industry is designed for manufacturing businesses, providing the tools you need to succeed.

·         Enhanced Supplier Collaboration:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provide efficient and effective communication with suppliers, thereby promoting a smooth and uninterrupted flow of goods and services within the supply chain. Manufacturers have the capability to exchange real-time inventory information with suppliers, thereby facilitating enhanced planning and collaboration.

·         Effective Risk Management:

The utilisation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems facilitates the identification and mitigation of hazards pertaining to the management of inventories. This includes the identification of inventory that is moving at a slow pace, the possibility of becoming obsolete, or irregularities in the quantities of stock.

Maximizing Efficiency with ERP-Enabled Inventory Management:

The utilisation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software in inventory management enables firms to enhance operational efficiency, decrease expenses, and enhance customer satisfaction. This innovative technology facilitates the adaptation of enterprises to evolving market conditions, enabling them to achieve continuous growth and enhance their competitiveness within the manufacturing industry. The adoption of ERP software for comprehensive inventory management in the evolving manufacturing industry is not merely discretionary, but rather a strategic need. To maintain a competitive advantage, it is imperative to incorporate Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems into manufacturing operations, as this enables the realisation of optimised inventory management capabilities. Enhance productivity without the complexity with STERP’s ERP for manufacturing company – a software specially tailored for manufacturing businesses to simplify the business processes.

[trainsinanime]

Let me introduce my current main WIP. It's not fandom related, it's for my model railroad, and it's not yet finished.

This is a rendering of a circuit board that I'm designing at the moment. It will be a DCC command station. My model railroad is run digitally, which means the tracks carry digital signals that tell each locomotive and switch individually how to run, which lights to turn and so on. The command station is the device that generates that. I have a number of different layouts, one of which has a good command station, one of which has a crappy old one, and the final one isn't even digital yet. So this will be the one that solves all issues for me, hopefully.

The design above isn't finished yet, and even the parts that are are not yet fully representative. The different capacitors are just there as options; some screen print overlaps; and some components (in particular all plugs and the relays that control the programming track) don't have 3D models so they don't show up.

Planned features:

Four layer board

10-25 V DC output, software controllable

Up to 5A output power, limited mainly by the main switching regulator.

Input 15-25V either AC or DC with polarity protection, selectable with some solder bridges (not yet in there). Optionally you can also bypass the main power regulator with another solder bridge (that I haven't added yet); useful in case you use e.g. a laptop power supply with a switchable voltage and don't need any regulation after that.

Railcom support

USB connection; not yet sure what for, but the main chip I'm using has USB support and I have some spare USB connectors here, so in it goes.

Speaking: The chip is an STM32L433RCT6P, chosen because I found it in stock at an electronics distributor. 64 kB RAM, 256 kB EEPROM, with support for an additional up to 256 MB externally (there's a spot for that on the board) and lots of fun extras that I don't technically need. It has an FPU! I don't need an FPU, but I will definitely do some floating point math computation on it just for fun.

Main external connection is WLAN using an ESP32 WROOM U module. I haven't decided on the housing, but I may go for extruded aluminum, so it's the U version that allows and requires an external antenna

It supports XBUS/XpressNet connections for old throttles from Lenz and Roco that I should probably throw away, but I paid good money for them, dang it.

It supports CAN for LCC / OpenLCB. I may not populate this part on all boards that I'm building, because I haven't actually decided whether I am interested. But the chip has CAN functionality built in, so why not.

There's an I2C connection to connect a cheap tiny OLED display for status messages.

Test points for all important signals (in particular the different internal voltage levels; yes, there is 3.3V, A3.3V and -3.3V and I need all of them).

Stuff still to add:

I will add pin headers (or space for pin headers anyway) for all the remaining pins on the STM32, and perhaps some on the ESP32, for future expansions.

Status LED and stop/go button on the front

Wire it all up, maybe move some stuff (mostly the STM32 around), which will cause all sorts of fun new routing issues.

Adjustments to make the jacks line up with the front panel once I've decided on a housing.

Features I'm not considering adding:

s88. I vaguely know what it is but I don't have any devices like that, and if that ever changed I could probably build (or perhaps buy) a converter that connects them via CAN.

Other buses like LocoNet.

Ethernet. I don't need it and it's actually more expensive than WLAN in this day and age.

In terms of software, I'm planning to use DCC-Ex on it. The whole project actually started out as a DCC-Ex shield, but once I realised that this wouldn't fit, I decided to make it standalone. Now, DCC-Ex is designed for Arduino, not STM32, and it doesn't support XpressNet, nor OpenLCB, nor Railcom, and their Wifi protocol is pretty weird and annoying which will be an issue (I'm planning to write my own control app for iPhone for it), so I'll probably change that or just replace it with the z21 one… so really, the software will not look a lot like DCC-Ex once I'm done with it.

Will this all work? I have honestly no idea. I mean, I'm fairly confident, I'd have given up on this long ago otherwise, but I have no guarantees either way until I've spent a lot of money on components and circuit boards and start soldering. Turns out doing it this way is not really cheaper than just buying a half-way decent one. That's what makes it exciting, though!

If it does work, obviously this will be released as open source. But it's still going to be a few days (more realistically weeks) before it's even ready to order the parts, and then a lot of soldering (current BOM stands at 194 actual components), and then a lot of software development before it's ready for that.

[agentmintea]

11, 18, 21 for the fic ask!

I lost my first draft of answering this ask which isn't the best omen but here we are :') I rbed that thinking I might answer for fanart because my only writing plans for 2023 are to finish my one half-posted wj WIP, but turns out I can answer these for that!

11. Would you like to try any new fanfic genres or tropes this year?

I've mostly only ever written fluff and/or scenes with no plot, but the WIP might have plot??! Maybe even tension!!??! Wild. It also includes a bunch of tropes I've been wanting to try for a while: Nobility AU, Bachelorette-esque scenarios, Mistaken Identities.

18. Do you typically post multi-chapters as you write, or finish it all and then start posting? Would you like to change your posting method?

I've done both, but I've posted all I have for my current WIP, much sad. I don't have the patience to wait for more than like 3 months to post something. I don't think that'll change, but I do hope to write more consistently, and hopefully that'll allow me to post on a schedule, even if it's once every ...4 months or whatever asdlkjshkl

21. Will you try writing software, like Scrivener or those programs that won’t let you stop writing?

Ooh maybe! I've been intrigued by the ones that track word count and give you feedback on writing style... But I don't think I'll try Scrivener or similar ones that are (imo) more for novel writing / much more complex works than the short and simple lil ones I write.

[new year fanfic asks]

[luckysingh1999]

What Makes ERP Different for Manufacturers?

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are designed to streamline and integrate various business processes into a single platform, making them a valuable tool for organizations across multiple industries.

However, the needs of manufacturers are distinct from those of retail, service, or other industries, and as such, ERP systems for manufacturers come with specialized features and functionality tailored to their unique challenges.

1. Production Planning and Scheduling

One of the most crucial differences in ERP systems for manufacturers is the focus on production planning and scheduling. Unlike other industries, manufacturers need to manage complex production processes that involve coordinating materials, labor, and machinery. A manufacturing ERP system comes with specialized tools for:

Master Production Scheduling (MPS): This helps manufacturers create an accurate plan based on demand forecasts, ensuring that production resources are allocated efficiently.

Material Requirements Planning (MRP): MRP ensures that the necessary raw materials and components are available for production while preventing overstocking or stockouts. It aligns production schedules with material availability, optimizing the supply chain.

Capacity Planning: Manufacturing ERP systems often include capacity planning tools to help businesses ensure they have enough production capacity (equipment, labor, and time) to meet demand.

By integrating these elements, ERP software ensures that manufacturers can maintain smooth operations and meet production goals without wasting resources.

2. Bill of Materials (BOM) Management

Manufacturing ERP systems offer comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOM) management functionality, which is critical for businesses that produce complex products requiring multiple components. A BOM is a detailed list of all materials, components, and sub-assemblies needed to manufacture a finished product.

Multi-level BOMs: Manufacturing ERP systems often support multi-level BOMs, which is essential for businesses that manufacture products with many layers of components or sub-assemblies.

BOM version control: Changes in product designs and processes are inevitable. ERP systems for manufacturers include version control to track revisions and ensure that the latest specifications are always being used in production.

Proper BOM management within an ERP system helps manufacturers ensure accuracy in production, reduce material waste, and control costs.

3. Shop Floor Control and Monitoring

In a manufacturing environment, shop floor control is a key feature of ERP systems. Shop floor control enables real-time monitoring of production processes, providing visibility into equipment performance, labor efficiency, and production progress. Key elements include:

Machine Data Integration: Many ERP systems for manufacturers integrate directly with production machinery, allowing data to be captured automatically. This provides insights into machine downtime, cycle times, and production rates, ensuring optimal equipment utilization.

Work Orders: ERP systems manage work orders, assigning tasks to production lines, tracking their progress, and ensuring that they are completed on time.

Labor Tracking: For manufacturers, tracking labor costs is critical. Manufacturing ERP systems provide tools to monitor labor hours, productivity, and attendance, allowing for accurate job costing.

By tracking the real-time status of production activities, manufacturers can minimize downtime, address bottlenecks quickly, and ensure that they meet production deadlines.

4. Inventory and Supply Chain Management

Inventory management is essential for any business, but for manufacturers, it comes with unique challenges that ERP systems are designed to address. Manufacturing ERP solutions provide sophisticated tools for managing raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP) inventory, and finished goods. Some key features include:

Lot and Serial Number Tracking: Manufacturers often need to track raw materials and finished products by lot or serial numbers, particularly in industries with stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., aerospace, automotive, pharmaceuticals). This ensures traceability and quality control.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory: Many manufacturers use a JIT approach to inventory, where materials are received only when needed for production. ERP systems can help manage JIT processes by tracking material availability and aligning it with production schedules to avoid delays and excess stock.

Supplier Relationship Management: ERP systems provide tools to manage supplier relationships, ensuring timely deliveries, quality control, and efficient procurement processes.

These inventory and supply chain management features reduce waste, optimize storage, and minimize carrying costs—ultimately improving profitability for manufacturers.

5. Quality Control and Compliance

For manufacturers, maintaining product quality and adhering to regulatory standards are essential to business success. ERP systems tailored for manufacturers offer integrated quality control and compliance management features to ensure that products meet industry standards and legal requirements. Key functionalities include:

Quality Checks: ERP systems can automate quality control inspections at different stages of production, ensuring that defective materials are identified and removed from the production line.

Compliance Management: Whether dealing with environmental regulations, safety standards, or industry-specific certifications, manufacturing ERP systems help ensure compliance by tracking necessary documentation, audits, and reporting.

With quality control embedded into the ERP system, manufacturers can reduce rework, prevent defects, and maintain a reputation for producing high-quality products.

6. Costing and Profitability Analysis

Manufacturing ERP systems offer robust costing features, helping businesses understand the full costs associated with production, including direct labor, materials, overhead, and more. Key costing methods used in manufacturing ERP systems include:

Standard Costing: A predetermined cost structure used to measure performance by comparing actual costs to standard benchmarks.

Job or Project Costing: Ideal for manufacturers that work on custom orders or projects, this method tracks the costs associated with specific jobs to ensure profitability.

Activity-Based Costing (ABC): A more granular approach that allocates overhead costs based on actual activities that contribute to production, providing more accurate cost insights.

With accurate costing information, manufacturers can make informed decisions about pricing, profitability, and cost reduction strategies.

7. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Manufacturing ERP systems often integrate Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, allowing businesses to manage the entire lifecycle of a product, from initial design through production, to final delivery and after-sales service. PLM helps manufacturers:

Track product development progress

Manage engineering changes

Collaborate across departments and with external partners

With PLM integrated into ERP, manufacturers can ensure that product designs, materials, and production processes are aligned and optimized, leading to faster time-to-market and better innovation.

Conclusion

ERP systems designed specifically for manufacturers differ from those built for other industries by addressing the unique challenges of production planning, inventory management, shop floor control, and quality assurance.

By integrating these critical processes into a single system, manufacturers can reduce costs, improve productivity, and ensure better product quality.

For manufacturers looking to stay competitive, investing in a manufacturing-specific ERP system is no longer a luxury but a necessity for future growth and success.