A broad mountain valley opening toward the peaks
Independent ERP & manufacturing consulting

Your ERP journey.
A clearer path
forward.

Complex systems. Competing priorities. Real operational stakes. Get the guidance and hands-on support to move your manufacturing business forward with confidence.

Start with a free 30-minute conversation.
Discover a better way forward↓
On your side.
At every turn.
Grounded in experience

Perspective that goes
beyond the software.

20+

Years across engineering,
finance, operations & ERP

100%

Independent.
Your interests come first.

Shop-floor experience.
Practical guidance for real operations.

01When the path gets complicated

Big change shouldn’t mean
big uncertainty.

You have a business to run. When systems, projects, or processes get in the way, an experienced guide can help you find your next move.

Your next step

Put an independent advocate
in your corner.

Get a clearer view of scope, data, and readiness before the next milestone. We help you ask the right questions and keep your implementation partner accountable.

Recommended starting pointClient-side ERP Support
02Our expertise

The right support.
Right where you need it.

From the implementation plan to the production floor, we connect technology with the way your business actually works.

01 / ADVOCATE

Client-side
ERP Support

Keep your project aligned with your operation. Independent oversight helps you navigate vendor decisions, data migration, and go-live readiness.

Implementation clarityVendor accountability
Explore the support
  • Scope and milestone reviews
  • Data preparation and mapping
  • Configuration and readiness checks
Discuss your ERP project
02 / DELIVER

Project Delivery
Support

Give important work the attention it deserves. An embedded partner takes ownership of workstreams and keeps decisions and deliverables moving.

Hands-on executionTeam alignment
Explore the support
  • Workstream and milestone ownership
  • Cross-functional coordination
  • Clear leadership updates
Talk through your initiative
03 / IMPROVE

Manufacturing
Consulting

Find the constraints holding your operation back. Bring planning, scheduling, and daily execution into better alignment for more predictable performance.

Better flowPractical improvement
Explore the support
  • Throughput and scheduling analysis
  • Operating routines and metrics
  • Supervisor and operator coaching
Explore your improvement goals
A focused place to begin

Fresh eyes on your floor.
A practical plan in your hands.

The On-Site Operations Assessment brings an outside perspective to your people, processes, and systems. A 2.5-day visit leads to a written assessment and a prioritized, three-phase improvement plan.

Explore the operations assessment
Engineering drawings and components being reviewed at a workstation
2.5days on site.
A clearer next step.
Platform agnostic.
Manufacturing first.
InforAcumaticaMicrosoft DynamicsSAP Business OneEpicor
03Our approach

A guide, a plan,
and a way forward.

You don’t need more complexity. You need someone who understands the terrain and helps you take the next practical step.

01

Understand the terrain.

Start with your operation, the challenges you’re facing, and the outcome that matters to your team.

02

Chart the next move.

Agree on priorities, responsibilities, and a scope of support that fits where you are today.

03

Move forward together.

Work alongside an experienced partner, review progress, and adjust support as your needs evolve.

Support that fits. Room to adapt.

Embedded, advisory, project-based, or on-call. No long-term contract required.

Let’s find your fit
Lorin Schrader, founder of Trail Guide Consulting Group
Lorin SchraderFounder, Trail Guide Consulting Group
15 yearsin aerospace
manufacturing
04Meet your guide

Real-world experience.
A broader perspective.

Lorin Schrader understands manufacturing from the engineering desk, the finance office, and the plant floor.

His career spans aerospace manufacturing, operational finance, plant leadership, and more than five years of ERP implementations. That perspective connects system decisions with the daily realities of scheduling, inventory, costing, and production.

Your outcome is the priority.No vendor commissions. No software to sell. Independent advice grounded in your business.

Get to know Lorin
Five stones. A steady foundation.
Reflect·Focus·Learn·Own·Unite
05A little more clarity

Good questions.
Straight answers.

Not sure where to start?
Talk through your situation with us.

Let’s have a conversation
How are you different from our ERP vendor’s consultants?

Trail Guide is hired by you and receives no vendor commissions. We bring an operational perspective to the project and help you evaluate decisions in the context of your manufacturing business.

Can you help if our implementation has already started?

Yes. Support can begin before implementation or during a project that needs additional capacity, oversight, or a clearer plan for its next milestone.

Which ERP platforms do you support?

Trail Guide works across manufacturing ERP platforms, including Infor, Acumatica, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP Business One, and Epicor. The initial conversation helps clarify the platform and support your project needs.

Do you work remotely or on site?

Both. Support can combine remote work with visits for workshops, milestones, and go-live. The On-Site Operations Assessment is a dedicated visit to your facility.

Do we need to commit to a long-term contract?

No. Scope and engagement terms are agreed around the support you need. Embedded, advisory, project-based, and on-call options let you adjust as the work evolves.

Your next chapter starts here

Let’s find your
path forward.

Tell us where you are, what’s getting in the way,
and where you want to go. We’ll start there.

Book a free 30-minute call
A focused conversation. A clearer next step.