When you hear the term ERP, you are actually wondering what it is. Well, the acronym stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. And this again doesn’t give you a clear idea as to what this software is exactly, and what it does. Before you know this, it is clearly impossible for you to understand what the advantages of such a software are going to be. So, let’s start off by understanding in a few sentences what ERP exactly is, and what it does so that you will end up with a clear understanding of its benefits.
When you look at a business and the various processes that form the backbone of running a successful enterprise, you realize that this will need a lot of skill to be handled effectively. Customer care, human resources, inventory keeping, marketing, sales, and accounting only form some basic processes we are talking about, but there are many others that keep a business running successfully, and the list goes on and on. All of these, however insignificant it may seem to us, are essential, and important components of a business.
So what ERP does is, it helps us in integrating these various components into a single, streamlined system which helps to process all the information across the entire business. Data is collected by this software from all the different facets of the organization, and then is put into a single database, so that it can be accessed in one user interface, making it possible for people working in different units to access the same data. So, even though each system in your business will have its software programs which have been optimized to perform their specific tasks, the ERP software helps these different systems to share information in an effective and easier manner. Basically, it works a bit like the human central nervous system.
Although most people jump to the conclusion that this software is meant only for large-scale businesses because of the term enterprise, in the current world a lot of mid-size organizations have also reaped the benefits of using this software. Because, at the end of the day if there is something that is going to help your employees work in an efficient manner, and bring about the growth of the organization, what more can you ask for? And this is exactly what the ERP software does. It fuels the growth of the business by breaking down the barriers that have been created between the various units of that organization. So, what exactly are you going to gain by using the software to do this? Let’s find out.
Increasing efficiency:
When it comes to running a business, all you want is to find the easy, and efficient manner of getting things done. And the ERP software does exactly that, by helping you to eliminate many of the repeated processes that you will otherwise find yourself as well your employees having to do. When you don’t have to keep on entering information manually it greatly reduces consumption of time, which can then be used in a more effective manner to grow the business.
Integrated data:
When a business has separate units, one of the biggest hurdles that most people find difficult to overcome is the fact that there must be representative from each department who gives you an overall view when it comes to decision-making, so that you can collectively know where your organization stands right at that moment. But now with the ERP software that does not have to be the same, because you have all your data in a single platform, in a manner that can be understood by almost anyone, so that in one glance you have all the information that you would require at your fingertips.
Analyzed forecast:
The Enterprise Resource Planning software does not merely collect all the data from the various units of your organization, and store it for you. It also uses this data to analyze them and work through them, giving you great insight into where your organization is headed regarding success in the future, and where you can improve yourself to do better. This information provided by the software plays an important role when it comes to decision-making processes because you will have all the statistical data you need to support your decisions right in front of you.
Simplification:
As your business grows, what you naturally expect is for the processes involved with running your business to become more, and more complex. And that is exactly how things work usually. But with a software that can automate your business processes for you, it makes everything all that much easier. It makes everything more streamlined, making it possible for individuals to navigate these complex processes in a more simplified manner.
Real-time information:
The analyzed data that you receive from this software is a hundred percent real-time and integrated into more ways than one. And this can be considered invaluable when it comes to the efficient and smooth operation of an organization. Because when you have real-time data with you, you can make the changes as you go along, as and when needed, to correct mistakes sooner rather than later. With this kind of information, you can eliminate those processes which are creating a loss or change them up to your advantage.
Cost effective:
With all the real-time information that you receive from this software, the biggest advantage it gives you is that it saves you a lot of money along the way. When it comes to operating costs as well administrative costs, you will find that these drops dramatically with the use of this software. And with you being able to make a decision regarding your operations so swiftly, it ensures that you get an amazing return on investment if you have chosen wisely.
Easy access:
The various applications and mobile-friendly solutions that come along with the software will ensure that you can have access to it and the necessary information anywhere at any time. So if you have the mind to work while traveling or at home, you can still easily access all the information you need from the software, no matter where you are.
It grows with you:
The Enterprise Resource planning software is scalable as you would call it. Because as your business grows, the software also growth with it. Making sure that it facilitates the growth of your business and its many operations, keeping up to speed with things.
Fits your needs:
Most people think that this software caters only to large-scale enterprises. But this is not so, because the software is flexible and can be configured in a manner to suit your needs, according to the business that you operate. It’s not always a fit all, no matter what kind of software. So you can change it up in such a way that it fits the needs of your enterprise perfectly.
Customer care:
One of the most important aspects of running a business is to attract customers because ultimately your success depends entirely on them. And what the ERP software does it helps you improve your customer service in more ways than one. It helps your employees interact with customers in a more efficient manner, and in quicker time, ensuring that your customers are kept very happy and satisfied. You will have the history related to each customer at your fingertips so that the service you cater to each one of them can be easily customized and to their liking. And what more can you ask for than happy customers right?
Security:
One of the biggest worries you will have when handling an enterprise is the manner in which you are going to keep your data safe and secure. It’s something that most organizations today are finding difficult today with the advancement of technology. The ERP software ensures that your data does not get leaked out, with the help of firewall settings, which give you all the security that you will need with regard to all the information that is being stored away. Added to this is the fact that the ERP software uses data encryption to store information, meaning that the information is stored in a coded manner, which can be read only by your program, and not just anybody. Data encryption is one of the best methods that is used to store information, which further ensures that your data is safe in the hands of this software.
All the above-mentioned facts might sound a little too good to be true, but this is exactly what the Enterprise Resource Planning software has got on offer for you. And with your competitors already using one of these software programs to increase their efficiency and productivity, you cannot afford to be too far behind. Because such is the importance of the ERP software to businesses world over.
