Home | Choosing Your ERP Software Partners

The right enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is important to the continuity of your business, but choosing who to work with to help select, customize and implement this software is critical to its success.

What is ERP?
Enterprise Resource Planning is the integrated management of a business’ main processes, and ERP software is a way to execute and monitor this integration. ERP software facilitates the exchange of information throughout a company, helping to speed up business processes, cut costs, increase sales, improve quality, create positive customer experiences and measure successes and failures.

Purchase partners
ERP software comes in modules that perform a specific function – examples include accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, purchase orders etc. ERP suites require customization to be a good fit for a specific business.
To select their software, companies may choose to work directly with a software vendor. However, due to the wide range of options and customization needs of each business, it is recommended to work with a partner who can weigh the pros and cons of many different software suites and help each business decide which solution is right for them, especially when it comes time to customize and implement. This would be either a value-added software reseller, or an ERP consultant.

Value-Added Resellers (VARs)
VARs are recruited and trained by the software vendors to sell products on their behalf. VARs invest in their own technical staff, training facilities, workspace and software purchases and they usually share a percentage of sales with the software vendor.
ERP purchasers should remember that that while VARs also perform consulting functions, their advice may be impacted by their relationships with certain suppliers.

Consultants
Consultants with financial, accounting and software expertise often provide a different perspective and approach than a VAR. Consultants are typically selected based on comprehensive experience in specific industries, intensive knowledge about particular ERP software modules, or both. Selecting an industry expert that is able to compare the situations of similar companies they have worked with before can be valuable in helping them choose which suite will work best for a specific business.

Working with an ERP consultant provides a business with invaluable experience and expertise. Reach out to ERP Advisers today to discuss how we can help find the right solution for your business at this critical time.

Home | The ABC’s of open-source ERPs

The ABCs of open-source ERPs

Let’s face it: implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system can be a costly endeavour, especially if you’re paying for custom-built services. However, this monetary load can be lessened via the use of open-source ERP software—without having to sacrifice quality or customizability.

What is an open-source ERP?

Simply put, an open-source ERP is an ERP software system whose source code is readily available to the public. This code can then be freely tailored by your internal IT department or by an outside consultant, without you having to pay extra for licensing or vendor customization services. Generally, open-source ERPs are web-based applications, and be installed onto your server or hosted remotely.

Who should use an open-source ERP?

Open-source ERPs are practical for businesses of all shapes and sizes, with some providers catering to the needs of small-to-medium-sized companies (such as ADempiere, Dolibarr, and ERPNext), and others servicing larger corporations (including Apache OFBiz and Opentaps).

Due to their highly adaptable nature, these ERPs are wonderful for a variety of reasons. If your business’s needs are simple, they allow you to access the basic tools needed for your operations at a minimal cost. Alternatively, if you require a highly personalized ERP system, open-source models are a less expensive—and highly effective—alternative to costly closed-source software options.

What should I look for in an open-source ERP?

When choosing an open-source ERP, pick a system with proper documentation and support. Whether the application offers paid assistance or has an active user base, this will help to ensure that you’re receiving a high-quality option.

Above all, your open-source ERP of choice has to meet your specific needs—and continue to support these needs as they change. As such, it may be beneficial to find a system with additional modules, add-ons, and support plugins for later use.

What are the benefits of these systems?

A major benefit of the open-source ERP model is its cost-effectiveness. Typically, no licensing or maintenance fees are required for these systems, and external consultant fees are generally lower. Additionally, when you implement an open-source ERP, you own the entire system and its full-source content—without any vendor lock-in. This gives you the freedom to install the system however you wish, whether that’s on your own or with a service provider. Finally, open-source ERPs are easier to upgrade than commercial systems. This means that updates can be performed more frequently, keeping your ERP from becoming antiquated or obsolete.

If you’d like to learn more about open-source ERP programs or you require assistance in customizing one, feel free to contact us. Our experts will help you to find the solutions your business needs—with nothing but ease.

Home | These 3 “gotcha” moments could ruin your ERP implementation

The “gotcha” moment. We’ve all experienced it before: you’re working on a project and everything’s going smoothly—until some seemingly benign error renders your work redundant.

Lucky for you, we know how to avoid dreaded “gotcha” moments during Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations. Here’s a look into three key issues that may arise, and essential ways to steer clear of them.
“Gotcha” #1: Mismanaged Team Members

In order for your project to flow smoothly, your staff must be properly equipped to manage each step of the process.

Key problems:
• Placing too much pressure on IT staff. Because ERP projects often involve upgrades to computing infrastructure, IT Managers are assigned as their sponsors. However, undertakings of this sort require managers with more organizational influence.
• Relying too heavily on outside consultants. While our expertise is beneficial, weak inclusion of inside staff can result in a lack of much-needed organizational knowledge.

Key Solutions:
• Assign a full-time Senior VP (or other business expert) to each ERP implementation. During this time, their other positions should be back-filled to reduce stress.
• Find the right set of outside consultants for your needs. At ERP Advisers, we’ll work in tandem with your employees, ensuring they have the tools needed for long-term success.

“Gotcha” #2: Poor Project Planning

When it comes to ERP implementations, improper planning can take an incredible financial toll on your business.

Key Problems:
• Underestimating the complexity and speed of ERP implementations. By miscalculating the time and effort required to complete these projects, schedules may become stretched out—and deadlines missed. This can result in exceeded budgets, missed deliverables, and an overall loss of organizational interest.

Key Solutions:
• Contain the scope of your project. Review your plans with highly-experienced outside consultants, like ERP Advisers, to ensure that they are realistic and achievable.
• Follow a long-term multiple-release strategy. By implementing ERP modules in palatable portions, your team can stay abreast of all changes.

“Gotcha” #3: Ignoring the Aftermath

ERP implementation causes a variety of changes to occur within any business. As a result, it is integral that your staff are prepared to manage any and all adjustments to your business processes.

Key Problem:
• Overlooking change management efforts. ERP implementation may eliminate, automate, or integrate certain processes, all of which must be planned for.

Key Solution:
• Foresee necessary changes. As we’ve stated, planning is incredibly important. By recognizing the potential for significant changes, you can ensure that your team has the resources needed to carry them out.

With our individualized approach to all ERP implementation, we’ll keep these “gotcha” moments from getting you down. Click here (https://erpadvisers.com/erp-project-management/) to learn more about our services.

Home | The Many Benefits of ERP Software

Implementing ERP software can improve productivity, increase efficiencies, decrease costs and streamline processes.

Here are just a few benefits:

Efficiency. An ERP solution eliminates repetitive processes and greatly reduces the need to manually enter information.

Scalability. ERP systems allow the addition of new users and functions to grow.

Integrated Information. No more issues with data spread across separate databases; all information will be housed in a single location.

Cost Savings. ERP software reduces administrative and operations costs. .

Reporting. ERP software helps make reporting easier and more customizable.

Productivity. Save time and increase productivity levels.

Flexibility. Modern ERP software systems are robust, flexible, and configurable. They are not a one-size-fits-all and can be tailored to the unique needs of a business.

Are you convinced yet? Give ERP Advisers a call to discuss technology options to help you grow.