Due to its complex nature, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software has traditionally been viewed as a solution designed mainly for midsized and larger businesses. For years ERP has acted as the backbone of these organizations, allowing them to operate smoothly and gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. Originally designed to help larger companies improve internal visibility, increase efficiency and consolidate their data, ERP software has adapted to the current business climate. As technology continues to evolve and the software continues to mature, the benefit of ERP is quickly being made available to small businesses.
Contrary to popular belief, ERP software is no longer a solution solely for big businesses. While it can certainly help larger companies make sense of their data, streamline operations and provide valuable insight for critical decision-making, today’s ERP software is made for the small business. Customizable and scalable to fit the needs of any size business, today’s ERP solutions are a perfect fit for small businesses looking to gain ground and protect their technology investments.
So how can today’s modern small businesses benefit from implementing ERP software? Here are a few things small businesses can expect to gain from ERP software:
- Better integration
The more integrated a business is both internally and externally, the better the overall performance. ERP unifies companies, connecting each independent department to the bigger picture and allowing them to collaborate with each other to achieve common goals. Information is shared with each department, eliminating the need for double data entry and allowing for improved insight into a variety of situations. Customer service can access detailed customer records from within the same system the finance department uses to keep track of payments and orders, resulting in improved customer service (among other things). - Improved control
The more insight you have into what is going on in your business, the more control you will have over it. ERP software, such as Sage 100 ERP or Infor VISUAL, gives you a 360 degree view of what’s going on through visual dashboards and customized reports, allowing you to make effective decisions for how to drive your company forward. - Simplified processes
ERP streamlines the operational processes within an organization, allowing companies to achieve substantial time, cost and labor savings. ERP also reduces manual efforts, resulting in decreased errors and improved data accuracy. - Improved employee productivity
Providing employees with the right tools, technology and information to do their job well is a surefire way to increase productivity. When your employees are properly trained on the system, you will begin to see instant spikes in employee productivity levels. ERP reduces the amount of time your employees dedicate to administrative tasks and provides them with the information they need to make better decisions on all fronts. - Future preparedness
ERP software allows you to plan for future growth by minimizing disruption. The best solutions are highly flexible and customizable, allowing companies to scale the solution according to their needs. ERP solutions can also help leaders plan strategically for growth and respond to market changes and new opportunities faster.
Overall, these benefits translate into time savings for employees at every level and reduced costs. Keep in mind that the software you choose has the power to influence your company’s performance for years to come, so choose wisely. If you’d like to discuss your ERP needs with one of our ERP software experts, give us a call today. We’d be more than happy to help you determine the best solution for your company’s current – and future – business state.
For more information on choosing the right ERP solution for your business, download our whitepaper, “The Five Point Plan to ERP Selection Success.” This guide is packed with insightful tips and tricks to ensure you don’t regret the ERP decision you make.