What’s the Best ERP System for Aerospace Manufacturers? Key Features That Matter
In aerospace and defense manufacturing, compliance is non-negotiable. Your ERP system must go beyond production and inventory—it needs to support traceability, quality control, and audit readiness out of the box. If your operation faces AS9100, ITAR, or ISO 9001 requirements, choosing the right ERP can simplify day-to-day execution and reduce audit risk. Here are the features that define ERP systems built for aerospace.
Full Lifecycle Traceability Down to the Serial Level
Aerospace parts must be traceable from raw material through final shipment. That means cradle-to-grave traceability, including:
- Lot and serial number tracking at every stage
- Revision control on BOMs and routers
- Production history and inspection records tied to every part
Your team needs to locate source material, verify certifications, and respond to traceability audits—often within hours. Whether it’s an AS9100 audit or an internal investigation, your ERP should make it easy to track any part across suppliers, builds, and shipments.
Quality Management Must Be Integrated
Quality is not a separate function—it must live inside your ERP. Look for systems that tie inspection data, failure tracking, and corrective actions directly to the work order, part, or vendor.
- In-process inspections logged by step
- Non-conformance reporting (NCRs) with linked failure codes and actions
- Corrective and Preventive Action (CAR) workflows
- Supplier quality tracking linked to incoming inspections
Every quality event should feed into the ERP record for the associated part or job, creating a closed loop for documentation and improvement.
Documentation Control and Engineering Workflow
Documentation management must be built into your ERP, not handled offline. Aerospace manufacturers need:
- Revision-controlled BOMs and routers with audit trails
- Routed engineering approvals for process changes
- Centralized access to COCs, first article reports, and inspection forms
Certifications and compliance forms should live with the part record, making it easy to assemble documentation for shipments or audits. Without version control and document links, even small errors can trigger rework or compliance issues.
Audit Readiness and Regulatory Support
Aerospace ERP systems should support your compliance responsibilities—not make them harder. Look for features like:
- Support for DFARS, ITAR, ISO 9001, and AS9100 frameworks
- Audit trails that log every system action, change, or approval
- Hosting flexibility, including options for secure or GovCloud environments
- Electronic signatures and controlled access
Auditors expect clear records, not exported spreadsheets. The right ERP helps you answer questions quickly and maintain confidence in your compliance posture.
Key Takeaways
- Aerospace ERP must include part-level traceability with serial tracking
- Integrated quality management reduces risk and audit stress
- Document control and revision history are essential to certification compliance
- Audit readiness should be a core capability, not an add-on
Conclusion
The best ERP system for aerospace manufacturers doesn’t just track parts—it supports every requirement from certification to compliance. From serialized traceability to controlled documents and audit trails, these features are essential from day one. Cetec ERP delivers them in one unified system. See how Cetec ERP equips aerospace manufacturers with audit-ready traceability and built-in quality control. Explore our aerospace features or request a demo today.