The ERP system does a lot of work for you - if the usability is right.
There are things that don't need to be explained. Paper is one of them. Envelopes. Folders. Pens. Wastepaper baskets. We are fully aware of their symbolism in everyday office life. We use them the way we use these things. The designers of user interfaces utilise this intuition on a daily basis. This is called usability - or why do you think you feel the need to empty your wastepaper basket on the desktop? Exactly.
This intuition is still easy to call up with waste paper baskets. Even with writing programmes. Or emails. If the processes behind an application is more complex, the user sometimes sits in front of the screen at a loss. And in the end clicks on the X in frustration. Because he knows that.
If you are only trying to familiarise yourself with software "privately" - because your wife's brother said that since he has been recording his expenses in Excel, he has really been able to save money - it is not a bad thing if your patience breaks. However, in everyday working life, which is becoming increasingly digitalised in the vast majority of industries, it is important to be adaptable when it comes to software. Although the system does a lot of work for you, you still need to learn how to use it. Depending on Industry the complex processes in operation must nevertheless be comprehensible.
Usability in ERP systems
Although users can be influenced by these processes The standardised symbols can be used to guide the user, but certain processes are no longer automatically comprehensible with arrows and magnifying glasses after a certain point. Nevertheless, it is important that these processes are visualised as user-friendly as possible. Especially with complex ERP software, in which many processes are represented almost identically in one system, this is a particular challenge. On the one hand, it makes sense to guide the user through the system in a similar way for similar processes, but the user must be intercepted exactly where special features require different operation.
ERP usability - in-house development vs. standardised
In the case of software that is programmed specifically for a company, the internal IT or key users are integrated into the development of the processes to such an extent that training can also be handled internally. With standardised systems such as SAP Business One However, the processes are already mapped and are "only" customised to the company. It is advisable to have someone with system experience familiarise employees with the system. Especially as standardised software such as SAP Business One benefits from the fact that the processes have been tried and tested by many companies and efficiently improved to the optimum. However, this optimum can only be realised if the processes are understood and applied accordingly.
ERP usability as a growing process
It will also be easier to recognise and improve weak points in individual processes in the future. Those who know their processes also know where they are prone to errors. Usability is therefore more than just the mindless execution of a process path. If the paths are clearly presented and the goal is clear to the user, these processes can be continuously and efficiently expanded.
More on usability in standard systems here.
SAP Business ByDesign vs SAP S/4HANA Cloud
SAP Business One vs SAP Business ByDesign
Business process reengineering before ERP implementation
Introduction of business software - surprisingly not technological
ERP selection - if it were that easy / Part 9
