You may feel that business is good, but it could be better. End-of-month financials come with inevitable surprises, and some work is frustratingly progressing slower than expected. As a result, there’s unaccounted-for inventory and way too many spreadsheet files. Nevertheless, solutions to these issues can be costly.
How do you know when your organization is ready for ERP software? Of course, this differs per industry and company, but below are four unmistakable signs that your business can benefit from an Enterprise Resource System.
Tasks Are Not Being Automated or Streamlined
A business can only be as profitable and efficient as the processes that support it. Unfortunately, a business’s growth can suffer by relying heavily on outdated legacy systems. In addition, manual tasks can be time-consuming, and there is a higher risk for human error. That is where an ERP system can help by automating or streamlining these tasks, thereby saving money, and boosting efficiency.
There are many ways businesses can leverage ERP systems to reduce expenses and boost revenue. For example, you can use ERP tools to create sales orders, email invoices, allocate inventory to sales orders, refill low stock, coordinate cross-department workflows and even track receivables. In addition, it is valuable in the accounting department as it helps diminish the need for paper-based sales orders and invoices.
By automating essential processes like tracking inventory or generating invoices, you can bring about productivity gains across the board and place more focus on tasks that you may have otherwise neglected.
Your Organization Does Not Have Unified Data with A Single Source of Truth
As we’ve established, ERP’s main selling point is data integration. However, you can even say that other benefits of this enterprise investment arise from having a single source of truth that delivers a clear vision across all departments.
A single data hub eliminates disjointed systems within the Organization. Individual employees or teams will no longer have to maintain separate documentation or use multiple applications to manage operations. Rather than going back and forth to obtain information or convert data to a usable format, managers can focus on analysis and decision-making.
ERP compiles all data, stores it, and shares it through a single system, thereby minimizing concerns about how current, accurate or complete the data files are. In addition, information is only entered once and is available immediately to relevant stakeholders: there are no duplicate entries, no cross-referencing and, therefore, no problems.
Your Organization’s Essential Business Data Is Not Easily Accessible
Business delays happen when employees don’t have access to the information they require, either financial data, customer information or other resources needed for daily operations. Manually updating spreadsheets and software can be time-consuming, and, as a result, the business can suffer. A modern ERP system enables employees to access the essential business data they need without delay, in real-time from any location and internet-enabled device. As a result, executives benefit from always having a holistic view of their business operations, leading to better leadership. Because sales representatives can view a customer’s transaction history with a click of a button, these benefits can also extend to customers.
Your Organization IT Systems Are Too Complex and Outdated
Overly complex or outdated IT systems can cause considerable frustration among staff. Customizing and integrating these types of systems can be challenging, and handling upgrades and patches can be a nightmare.
Switching to a central ERP system brings all the information that a business needs into one place, simplifying a complex IT system. Also, ERP technology allows organizations to respond swiftly to changes. It enables them to select an ERP system that works best for their business, such as on-premise ERP, cloud-based ERP, or a hybrid solution.
Your Organization has Constant Production Scheduling Problems and Inventory Inaccuracy
The relationship between production scheduling and a manufacturer’s ability to make their products profitable and on time is not questionable. On the contrary, it’s always related, especially if you consider the rising costs of staff and machinery. You want to get the most bang for the buck on your shop floor whilst avoiding any misalignment on project routing and machine time allocation.
Inaccurate inventory has damaging consequences; holding too much of everything will force you to use up warehouse space, tie up cash flow, and items stored for long periods can become damaged, forgotten or even obsolete. Conversely, carrying too little inventory will halt production and create extra costs due to expedited shipping of missing parts and result in delayed delivery.
An ERP will provide critical planning functions based on real-time supply and demand data and forecasts, resulting in the delivery of accurate and timely production plans. The primary benefit will be the much-needed assistance of data to direct scheduling in the right direction rather than encumbering key staff with the headaches and stress of scheduling.
Contact Us to Get Started
The new world of business requires new ways of working—quicker, smarter, and more agile than ever before. ERP applications fit this bill perfectly.
No matter the industry, deploying an ERP system helps managers make better business decisions based on metrics, not hunches or experience. This makes ERP applications indispensable in the modern business landscape.
So, whether you suffer in the quest to reach greater heights in manufacturing or from the level at which production is currently going, an ERP should be at least considered a possibility. And the best thing is that it doesn’t take too much time to investigate the possibility.
One place to start would be a short call with the BHC ERP team to discuss your options and address any questions you have. Then, we can provide you with a plan on what to do or where to go next. We look forward to helping you as you begin your journey for an ERP system.
