Initially when a business has seen some expansion it is run using disparate systems governing finance, HR, and stock control. This is ok in a small business but can very quickly become over-stretched and cumbersome as the business grows.
ERP software is revolutionary
The way that ERP software can revolutionise your business processes can be seen throughout the various departments in your business. With the business management system software, each your business units - from HR through procurement, finance to delivery - is integrated, providing distribution information as part of your core business model. This ensures that you get accurate and real time information around stock, cost, and scheduling, all the way through to the shipping schedules. This can then streamline your working practices and increase efficiently.
With separate spreadsheets and standalone applications there is a great deal of re-keying required to provide reports on capacity, stock management and sales data, but with ERP these are all integrated into a system that talks to each of your business units and this information can be pulled into reports encompassing many aspects of your business.
The uses of this kind of streamlining process are plain to see for those at the top of the chain. Providing real-time information makes any inefficiencies you may have glaringly obvious and makes dealing with these issues a more efficient and timely operation. Whether it is a distribution issue or procurement, the information provided by the integrated systems will flag both under-utilisation and lack of capacity. It will also highlight overspend in any area of the business so that your decision to reallocate budget is more clear cut.
How much will an ERP solution cost your business?
Historically, the cost of implementing such business software has been a barrier to growth for some businesses. This barrier has now lessened as the variety of options has grown. Modular provisions are ideal to tailor the software to your individual business model, but still provide you with a clear automated core of business operation processes.
The bottom line for your business is your customers’ satisfaction, and ERP software will contribute to ensuring your customers continue to purchase from you. By making your processes smoother, and the fulfilment of orders more streamlined, any issue with distribution will be highlighted in advance, giving you time to align expectations or relocate stock to fulfil orders. Good communication with your customers and the end user is imperative to maintaining a positive brand image in these days of social marketing.
In summary, although there is a significant outlay involved in buying into the ERP software solution for your growing business, the returns you will reap will ensure it is of significant value to the future of the business. Management and employees can make better decisions faster, and streamline your efficiencies for an advantage in the marketplace.
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