Companies use ERP software to manage all their resources. The abbreviation ERP actually stands for "Enterprise Resource Planning". The resources that need to be planned and managed include capital, all goods and employees. What ERP software has to achieve for this task is the integration of all systems, company processes and all supplier and customer relationships. However, this requires not only the appropriate software, but also ERP expertise.
Demands on a modern ERP system
The requirement for a modern ERP system is not only to integrate all company data, but also to make it available to all participants without barriers in an authorised form, tailored to the individual needs of each user. The data should not only be able to provide information about the past and the current status of the company. Correctly networked data in an ERP system can also provide important conclusions about the future.
What should be achieved by using an ERP system?
The use of ERP software should offer a whole range of benefits and improvements for your company:
- Be able to react more quickly and flexibly to events in the company
- Recognize and control movements and developments in your market
- Networking with your customers and suppliers
- Optimize your Stocks and flows of goods
- Recognising and eliminating bottlenecks
- Increasing the efficiency of your business processes
- Discovering and promoting the potential of your employees and partners
- Networking your locations and promoting internationalization
What are the risks of introducing an ERP system?
However, the introduction of an ERP system also harbours risks that you need to be aware of before you start your ERP project.
- Costs that are difficult to estimate and often turn out to be much higher than calculated
- Busy and demanding internal resources Implementation projects
- Integration comes at the price of high complexity
- Employees reject the new system
The important role of the ERP partner
In order to realise all the promised benefits and keep an eye on the risks, most companies need consulting support. The selection of an ERP system is almost always based on the selection of a ERP Partners. The partner for your ERP project must not only have in-depth knowledge of the software. An ERP partner must understand you and your industry and speak your language. This is no small challenge. At the same time, a "we've always done it this way" approach does not help in an increasingly dynamic environment.
Standard? Yes - levelling down? No!
Despite all the efforts made by ERP manufacturers to standardise their software packages, it is particularly important for SMEs to find their specific characteristics in the ERP software processes. This task requires an open dialogue and the exchange of many aspects and information. The challenge that your ERP project must master is not how your company can be standardised in a software package. Rather, the task is to use software to map your specific company.
We would like to support you on this path to your ERP system.
With our ERP expertise
More on the subject:
