ERP use is part of everyday life in most companies today. It is almost impossible for companies of all kinds to manage their work without the appropriate software. As a result, ERP solutions have been developed to cover all these needs without the need to constantly customise the software. On the other hand, many industry applications were created to cover the requirements and processes of the respective specialisation: Even for companies that mainly deal with services.
The small (big) difference
ERP systems were initially developed primarily for manufacturing companies and wholesalers. All resources are planned and controlled via the software. The Cost unit is always defined by the individual product. Ergo, a company that Cars produces and sells sees the car as a cost centre.
However, today more can be bought than just a product. Services are offered and traded in the same way. If a company sells software, for example, this often includes implementation or customisation. This is referred to as a project. However, it is difficult to control a project using an ERP system that is used to assigning the cost unit to a product. This is because, unlike "productions", projects are limited in time. They take place once within a fixed framework.
Service providers work in projects
If the cost unit is now the projectcertain (service) performances can be recognised as a product - e.g. project management. However, in the day-to-day work of a service provider, the quantity ordered does not match the quantity delivered and invoiced. An ERP system that functions on a project basis requires the software to be flexible and enable the service provider to react quickly to changes in the scope of the project. This includes keeping an overview of all project data at all times to ensure that resources are used correctly. calculate to be able to. This is the only way for the service provider to make success predictable and repeatable.
For this reason, companies that think and work in projects need ERP software that works in the area where it is needed. In addition to standard functions such as order processing, the system must be able to map the special features of project-based processes such as service recording.
Being able to react flexibly to customer wishes is part of the service
When introducing ERP software, the Standardisation of processes, master data and conditions is a prerequisite. However, especially for service providers, business software should be flexible enough to adapt to a wide range of customer requirements and conditions. The effort involved in recording and invoice The cost of providing services at various contractual conditions is one of the main cost drivers in a service company. This is where contract management is needed, in that the conditions can be stored behind each item, which are automatically drawn by the system during invoicing.
MariProject on the basis of SAP Business One
You can find out how the fully integrated solution for service providers supports you in the sale of complex projects on our Product page. We would be happy to demonstrate the system to you. Please contact us for this Contact on.
The employee as a core resource
The service provider is usually the resource human being, i.e. the employees. This person should be stored in the system with all the data that arises from their person and their actions. This includes their schedule, including holidays, their workload capacity in the project and for administrative tasks, their position within the company structure and their skills. It must also be possible to derive the employee's costs and revenues. In addition, it should be possible to store charging rates for customers and projects at different levels. Last but not least, the system must be able to differentiate between freelance and permanent employees. Field work usually involves a lot of travelling. The software must be able to handle these expenses and the handling of travel expense accounting for customers and employees in an integrated manner.
Mobile and in real time
In the rarest of cases, the service is only provided on the company's own premises. Instead, employees work at the customer's premises and often only visit the home company sporadically. To ensure that performance data is processed and ultimately calculated promptly, it must be possible to record it on site using mobile devices. In the best case scenario, the customer immediately confirms the service performed in the same way and releases it for invoicing.
Real controlling without Excel
In addition to automation, the evaluability and the controlling The main focus of an ERP implementation for service providers is on all aspects of each service. When comparing time and budget planning with daily actual values, the reports coming from the system should also provide data that delivers all essential content for project, company and financial planning. The clear aim must be to ensure a valid database for the use of Excel and similar tools.
