Home | Why You Need ERP To Move Your Post-COVID Business Forward

As we all know, disruption is a great instigator of change, and the world has never seen a disruption to business quite as significant as the current coronavirus crisis. As businesses resume operations, going back to a new normal will not be enough.

To learn from the current situation, businesses must now operate in a way that ensures they can respond immediately and seamlessly to the next crisis that seems to be inevitable. As a whole, our economy was not prepared for this, but we must be prepared for the next one.

A large part of this preparation will be the new policies and processes that business-owners will need to adopt to scale their business in a post-COVID economy, and ensure they are alert and aware of each element of their business operations.

Traditional post-crisis recovery models allocate few resources to things like information-sharing and expansion, but in this situation, they definitely should. To be successful in a post-COVID economy, businesses will need to scale operations to focus on shifting consumer demands, and a cloud-based ERP application is the most effective and efficient driver.

ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning systems integrate a business’s inventory management, ordering system, accounting, personnel files and resource allotment into a single source of truth – one place that stakeholders can go to access all the information they need about what’s happening in their company, where there challenges may lie and any pending resource shortages.

Cloud-based ERP solutions provide complete transparency into how a company is performing, what is going on behind the scenes, identify new opportunities and risks, and provides notifications of resources that are needed. This happens automatically, all day, every day. Businesses with cloud-based ERP also enjoy data and insights that help them learn from any mistakes that may have happened, manage their recovery and plan for the future.

Imagine if you were a sanitizer business with at the beginning of this coronavirus outbreak. Imagine if you had systems in place to notify you as soon as supplies got low. Imagine how things could have been different. The right ERP solution could be exactly what was missing.

Home | Using ERP to Prepare For the Post-COVID Economy

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted every industry across the globe. Many companies have pivoted faster than others, making operational changes to every element of their business. While governments navigate the re-opening of the economies in some areas, business are strategizing how to get on a path that will help them recover quickly when the time is right.

These businesses are faced with an interesting challenge, because ‘going back to normal’ simply isn’t going to happen. There will be a new normal, and that new normal will bring many opportunities for businesses to capitalize on if they plan properly. In order to be successful in the post-COVID economy, businesses must be agile. They must be ready to act quickly when laws, regulations, resource availability and demand spikes change. This will require a deep understanding of every part of the business so that whether a change affects the sales, marketing, finance, production or development department, every area is ready to pivot and take advantage of any opportunity that arises. Proper ERP is critical to developing this type of agility.

This is why.

Setting the foundation
ERP sits at the centre of a business and bring together its value chain. By tracking, amalgamating and analyzing every element of the business, ERP provides data-driven insights that give decision-makers the visibility into business operations needed to understand what is happening today, what can/will happen tomorrow, and set the stage for years of success.

Responding faster
Cloud-based ERP gives business stakeholders all the information they need about what is currently happening within the company to make decisions around its future processes, operations and agility. It helps them understand all the intricacies occurring behind-the-scenes in the business, where the risks lie, which resources or inventory is needed, plus it gives them access to these insights all day, every day. It also provides the ability to analyze information to learn from past mistakes, understand the current business environment that they’re operating in, and look for opportunities that may not have been visible otherwise.

Imagine knowing which areas of the supply chain will be impacted by a pandemic or any other major crisis. What if, pre-COVID, the decision-makers at Clorox or Lysol had known about the pending demand for their cleaning wipes? How would things have changed? A proper, cloud-based ERP system could make this possible.

Feel free to reach out with any ERP software, implementation or business technology needs. ERP Advisers are open to help you and your business thrive in any economy.

Home | Why Manufacturers Need ERP Now More Than Ever

As COVID-19 spreads and panic-being causes shortages of certain goods, many manufacturers are focused on increasing automation. However, while automation has great potential to help keep our shelves stocked with cleaning wipes, toilet paper and face masks, a shift in process will only be possible for companies with the supplies they need to keep producing.

We have seen great shifts in manufacturing during this pandemic – from ramping up the production of hand sanitizer to the conversion of automotive plants into ventilator factories. Manufacturers are under pressure to pivot production quickly, with little resources. Production teams are being minimized to reduce exposure to the virus, increasing the need of more automation on the plant floor.

For products that already have a highly-automated production process, the biggest barrier keeping them out of the stores is the supply chain.

Manufacturers will face different challenges in the short-term and the long-term. At first the challenge will be securing supplies from sources higher up on the supply chain. However, long-term, challenges will be linked more closely with the operation of their supplier’s suppliers. In order to mitigate these challenges, manufacturers must should start sourcing their components from multiple sources located in multiple locations.

This will likely spur a significant increase in the amount manufacturer’s spend on ERP software, especially those with inventory control and supply chain management modules, as the panic-buying that has occurred since the beginning of COVID-19 has exposed major weaknesses in the global supply chain.

The right ERP solution can drastically help manufacturers adapt to changes in the supply chain. There are typically two supply chains that manufactures must consider. The first is the physical supply chain (actual products), and the second is the digital supply chain (information). Using the right ERP system will empower manufacturers to blend their production, distribution, and acquisition processes to allow them flexibility in their operations.

Automation can be a game-changer, especially in these trying times, but it will not make much difference for a manufacture without a reliable flow of materials.

ERP Advisers is here to help you find and implement the right ERP solution for your business. Contact us to set up a consultation.

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 Role of ERP in Higher Education

While it’s wonderful that colleges and universities are deeply rooted in tradition (think ivy-covered walls and centuries-old teachings), an attachment to the past simply isn’t efficient when it comes to running a business. And, according to a collaborative report from Education Dive and Unit4, nearly 50% of academic institutions are using out-dated systems to execute their administrative operations.

Current state of the industry

The Education Dive report surveyed back-office staff (in the IT, HR, and Student Services departments) from higher education centres to determine which systems are now in use. Around half of these employees noted that their institutions:

• Use multiple systems, rather than one time-saving model;
• Are unable to fix inefficiencies or streamline their operations with their current programs;
• And have systems that do not provide the necessary strategic data for decision-making processes.

Why is this a problem?

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing climate, it’s essential for businesses to use technology that is highly adaptive and flexible. By using out-of-date, ineffective systems, not only are institutions preventing themselves from meeting new industry demands—they’re slowing themselves down. With low informational transfer, reduced data collection, and the creation of bottlenecks, these antiquated solutions create silos between departments, setting the stage for unsatisfactory organizational visibility as a whole.

In turn, this can frustrate staff, create obstacles for student success, reduce staff retention, prevent innovation, and lead to poor student experiences. Together, these issues can spell total disaster for any higher education establishment.

What’s the solution?

Luckily, these problems can be prevented using modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. By automating certain business processes, aligning ERP systems with their true needs, and focusing on efficient data management, institutions will bring their operations out of the past—and into the present.

By implementing the proper platform for their unique requirements, higher education providers can:

• Improve decision-making processes;
• Enhance departmental productivity;
• Increase employee efficiency and reduce attrition;
• Provide better student support services;
• And meet future student needs with greater flexibility.

If your institution’s operations are struggling to stay ahead of—or even with—the curve, a customized, intuitive ERP system is absolutely the way to go. ERP Advisers is here to help: to learn more about our services or to get started, visit our ERP Project Management page.

Home | Case Study: The importance of informed ERP implementation

When considering a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, receiving expert guidance is of the utmost importance. By ensuring that this new technology will meet your business’ needs correctly, you’ll avoid unnecessary spending—and get things right the first time.

This year, UK-based pub and hotel company Fuller’s learned this the hard way: after investing £10 million in an ERP system, it decided to scrap the project and search for a “simpler” accounting system.

The Fuller’s Dilemma: A £10 million misstep

Originally, the scrapped ERP system was intended to “deliver a continuous improvement program” in the company’s brewing, packaging, and distribution divisions. However, after selling its beer business to Japan’s Asahi, Fuller’s felt that this solution was no longer appropriate. As a result, it chose to replace the bespoke system with a “proven accounting system” for premium hotel brands, walking away entirely from its original investment.

Unfortunately for Fuller’s, this £10 million loss could have been entirely circumvented. Had its executives sought the guidance of an IT consultant, its existing ERP system could have likely been modified to suit each of its unique needs, even after the sale of its brewing sector.

This reveals a key truth about the importance of proper ERP implementation. By hiring an expert for—and investing the necessary time and effort into—the creation of these systems, potentially monumental mistakes can be averted. By choosing the right professional for your industry landscape, you’ll ensure that your ERP is effective for your business—and conducive to your requirements.

How can I evade this problem?

As stated, approaching a seasoned team of specialists (like that of ERP Advisers) is of paramount importance. With our approach to ERP system selection, we will:

– Review each and every area of your business, including sales, customer service, purchasing, warehousing, manufacturing, business intelligence, accounting, and logistics, to identify your immediate and long-term needs;
– Prioritize your requirements to address your most important needs first;
– Perform key market research to pick the right ERP software products for you;
– And ensure you understand why we’ve made these choices—and that you’re in full agreement with them.

With this, we’ll prevent you from costly errors, setting you on the path to success from the start.

Interested? Reach out to us here to learn more!

Home | 3 Reasons to Add or Alter ERP Functionality

Like the old adage says, the only constant in this world is change. This is undeniably true for businesses of all sizes—especially when it comes to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. A minimal number of companies hit the ground running with a complete ERP solution suite: generally, capabilities are added as novel needs arise, leaving these programs in a continuous state of flux.

This being said, it can be difficult to determine when it’s time to make adjustments. To help you figure things out, we’ve rounded up 3 major reasons (according to a 2019 report by Aberdeen) for your company to revisit or implement ERP functionality.

1. Your ERP system lacks flexibility.

As your corporation grows, your ERP solution must adapt to handle greater volume, increased informational flow, and new business process requirements. Like stretching your muscles, adding functionality can make your system more limber—and easier to use. The Aberdeen report notes that altogether, this will augment employee engagement and efficacy, enabling profitable growth.

Flexible ERP systems:
• Must be compatible with different language, currency, and accounting standards;
• Can manage multiple company sites;
• Are seamless to implement and run;
• Do not require disruptive enhancements or upgrades;
• And can adapt to changing business models and industry dynamics.

If your business’ ERP program does not meet the aforementioned standards, you may want to reconsider your strategy as a whole. These ERP essentials can be built into your existing system, or can be integrated at deployment to ensure continued versatility. Cloud-based options are an excellent choice for this reason: generally, they support remodelling quite well.

2. You’d like to upgrade your ERP program’s operational capabilities.

Often, businesses will choose to streamline their operations by housing administrative and financial applications within their ERP systems. For this reason, the following should be incorporated into your existing software (if they aren’t already):
• The tracking of costs against general ledger functionality, accounts, balance sheets, and profit/loss generation;
• Purchase order management processes;
• Basic project management functions;
• Workforce scheduling (including workforce management time and attendance solutions);
• And Core HR functionality.

3. Your internal communications are lacking.

A well-structured ERP plan provides a complete system of record for your business. This eradicates data silos and removes disconnected procedures, improving overall corporate communication and collaboration.

For improved informational flow across your entity, consider updating your ERP system with the following functionalities:
• A central repository for KPIs and metrics;
• Controlled data access for individual employees;
• And record-keeping capabilities.
A helping hand

At ERP Advisers, we understand the anxiety associated with updating software solutions. While reforming or reviewing your ERP system’s functionality, don’t feel you have to go it alone: let us help you with our ERP Project Management services. Together, we’ll ensure that your program is offering you everything you need to grow—and more.

Home | Top 4 reasons to implement an ERP system

As a business owner, maintaining a bird’s eye view of your corporation is imperative. However, this form of 360-degree surveillance can be incredibly difficult—especially if your organization is highly segmented.

Luckily, this burden can be eliminated with the use of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. As a pivotal hub for your data, an ERP system ties your business processes together into one user-friendly package.

What is an ERP System?

ERP systems are software programs that may be comprised of numerous integrated applications. They are used to align and manage all facets of a corporation’s operations, including human resources, financials, supply chain management, and manufacturing.

Here are the top 4 reasons why you should implement an ERP system:
1. They provide real-time information

By collecting and enabling the flow of data throughout all departments of your business, ERP systems allow for total transparency. With the improved reporting capabilities that result from this implementation, you’ll be able to access precise information; create comprehensive reports; and respond to complex data requests from clients. This will help you to make better business decisions, save precious time, and provide reliable answers to customers—with just the click of a mouse.

2. They increase productivity

By eliminating data duplication and usurping tedious manual tasks, ERP solutions can increase your business’s overall efficiency by saving your employees’ time. Furthermore, they improve your employees’ collaborative abilities, reducing siloes and enabling the smooth spread of information via one integrated platform. With this kind of seamless integration, you’ll enable better idea sharing and comprehensive decision-making processes.

3. They improve customer service

Having an ERP system allows you to access your clients’ files with total ease. With its all-encompassing view of your sales, distribution, accounting, and production processes, this software will allow you to quickly respond to your clients’ needs—and provide them with instantaneous information about their orders. Additionally, all relevant business departments will immediately be notified when any alterations are made, thanks to the platform’s shared nature.

4. They save capital

Finally, using an ERP system can save you money. Not only will it assist you with time management, but also reduce your operating and labor costs, save entrepreneurial resources, and consolidate your financial reporting. Ultimately, this solution will allow you to see maximum ROI—and boost your bottom line.

If you ask us, implementing an ERP system is a true no-brainer for your business. And, with our decades of experience in the industry, ERP Advisers can help you to find the right solutions for your needs. To get started or to learn more about our services, visit our ERP Project Management page.

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 | Is an antiquated ERP bogging down your business?

As it turns out, the oldies aren’t always golden—especially when it comes to antiquated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Whether your business is still using a legacy ERP or is simply behind on updates, out-dated operating systems could be holding you back from success.

How do I know if my ERP system is out-dated?

If your ERP system has gone years without an upgrade, you’re likely well behind the times. However, you’re not alone: a study from Forrester revealed that about half of ERP customers are using software that is two to three releases (or about four years) behind the latest version. Unfortunately, this lack of enhancement is putting you squarely behind 50% of your competition—an immense disadvantage.

Alternatively, your business could be running on a highly-customized, obsolete legacy ERP. Created in the eighties and nineties, these systems were generally built on older technologies (including Progress Software, Sage MAS, Microsoft Dynamics GP, DOS, and IBM AS/400), and were tailored to a business’s specific needs. While they were once highly effective, their need for the continued writing of application code made them non-transferrable to modern technologies, leading to their eventual retirement.

Why should I upgrade my old ERP software?

Today’s business landscape is incredibly fluid. Because of this, relying on an old, unadaptable ERP system could be a fatal mistake for your company.

Here’s why you should ditch your old-school ERP software:

1. They are resistant to change

Older ERP solutions (especially those which have been customized) can be inflexible, creating “version locking.” With this, making any updates to the system becomes very difficult. Whether your internal operations have changed or industry regulations are amended, your antiquated ERP will remain unable to adapt to your needs, leaving you in the dust.

2. They could impede your overall growth

What’s more, an out-dated ERP can obstruct your expansion at the global level. This is especially true for businesses with on-site software: these systems can be difficult—and incredibly expensive—to replicate and mobilize across different countries.

3. They could cause major internal discord

Finally, customized legacy ERPs could cause unwanted siloes across your corporation. Certain departments (which may not have existed at the time of the software’s creation) could be overlooked by your legacy system, causing them to turn to stand-alone, disconnected applications. This can cause breaks in the inter-organizational flow of data, leading to a serious decrease in efficiency.

So, what’s the solution?

As the old adage goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. If your ERP system has lost its bite, it’s time for you to upgrade to a modern, easily adaptable alternative. While this may sound like a frightening, costly endeavor, ERP Advisers is here to help: with our decades of industry experience, we’re well-equipped to provide you with the best fit for your business.