How to maximize your ERP investment
It’s not enough just to have an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in place. If it’s not evolving alongside your business, it’s not giving you the full competitive edge. Syspro expert Doug Hunter shares a few pointers as to how companies can optimize their ERP systems for their future business needs.
- Map your system to your processes and strategic objectives – There is no “one size fits all” ERP system, nor the right road map for each company to follow. But with thorough research, you can find an ERP system that fits best with your business needs. To get the most out of your ERP system, you need to draft a predefined list of goals both short and long term – and attainable – tailored to your business’ specific needs.
- Beyond basic functionality – Getting true value from your ERP is more than simply enabling more efficient processes and generating transactional data. The data that the system produces is the competitive advantage your business needs to grow. This means you should be assessing elements such as the type of reporting packs your business produces, questioning whether they will ultimately give you the information you need.
- User Experience – The usability of your ERP system also requires significant consideration. Its simple navigation, availability of resources and real-time data is imperative not only for you but for your employees who need to stay current on information.
- Plan for growth – Your ERP system should be able to grow alongside your company, and an effective ERP partner should be able to help you optimize and innovate across your business. Advanced ERP systems can leverage technology like Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). These technologies can identify trends across your business, giving you greater insight as to where your company’s risks and competitive advantage lies, and predict where your company is headed.
- Keep employees up to date – Optimizing the implementation of your ERP system includes making sure employees understand how it operates. Your employees interact the most with these systems and they are the catalysts of growth for your company. Keeping them in the know on any changes, updates and new processes is essential for your ERP system to be of great benefit for your company.
At the end of the day, your ERP system can provide a huge return on investment, but only if you have a clear road map as to how to leverage the system to its full potential.
