What this is
Working with subcontractors often means losing visibility and control over quality, timelines, and compliance. Next Plus solves this by giving you one platform to standardize instructions, collect data in real time, and track progress across internal and external sites.
Whether your subcontractors are across the street or across the globe, you get a clear, live view of production โ with the same level of traceability and compliance as in-house operations.
This is especially useful for manufacturers who rely on global supply chains, multiple plants, or outsourced assembly/testing.
How to do it
Create digital work instructions (Workflows)
Define the exact steps subcontractors must follow.
Add media (images, videos, PDFs) to reduce ambiguity.
Use triggers and conditions to enforce checks, e.g. quality gates.
Assign Work Orders from your ERP
Work Orders (e.g. from Priority ERP or other systems) can be synced automatically into Next Plus.
Subcontractors see only the jobs assigned to them, ensuring focus and clarity.
Collect real-time data from subcontractors
Every action is logged: start, pause, finish.
Operators can attach photos, measurements, or scanned barcodes to prove compliance.
Machine parameters can be integrated directly if equipment is connected (via OPC/SCADA).
Ensure compliance and traceability
Each step can require an electronic signature or certified user approval.
Audit trails meet AS9100, ISO, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 standards.
Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) are pushed automatically, so subcontractors always work with the latest revision.
Monitor progress in real time
Managers see live dashboards of subcontractor performance.
Identify bottlenecks, delays, or quality issues before they escalate.
Drill down to the unit, batch, or operator level when needed.
๐ก Why this matters (Key Benefits)
Single Source of Truth: Subcontractors follow the same instructions and quality checks as your internal teams.
Global Visibility: Track outsourced work in real time โ no more waiting for emails or Excel updates.
Faster Onboarding: Subcontractors can be productive quickly with intuitive digital instructions (no paper binders or tribal knowledge).
Built-in Compliance: All signatures, revisions, and approvals are tracked โ critical for regulated industries (aerospace, medical devices, food & beverage).
Flexibility: Manage production, maintenance, or quality tasks with the same system.
Collaboration without Risk: Keep sensitive ERP data in-house while sharing only the operational instructions and data you choose.
Common Issues / FAQs
Q: Do subcontractors need their own ERP?
No. They simply log into Next Plus via browser or tablet. Your ERP stays the master system, while Next Plus syncs Work Orders and reports results back.
Q: What if subcontractors are overseas?
Next Plus is cloud-based and multilingual. Instructions can be auto-translated into 100+ languages with validation, ensuring clarity anywhere in the world.
Q: How do I know they are really following the process?
Every action is timestamped, signed, and optionally photo-documented. You can require quality inspector sign-off for critical steps.