Posted by Jim High
You’ve decided your business needs to move to the next level of resource management. Selecting the right ERP solution for your unique needs is vital. With the wide array of capabilities available, looking at three key areas will help you invest wisely to grow your business.
You’ve decided your business needs to move to the next level of resource management. Selecting the right ERP solution for your unique needs is vital. With the wide array of capabilities available, looking at three key areas will help you invest wisely to grow your business.
Software capabilities
To determine what capabilities your ERP software requires you need critical look at your current operations and long-range plans for your business. Determine what financial programs need to be integrated into the system. Take a look at what internal personnel management systems will need to be included. Determine whether you will have research and development, project management, or inventory management needs as well.
The benefit of Enterprise Resource Planning software is the ability to go beyond the simple balance sheet provided by financial software. For your business to reap the greatest ROI from your system, you need to be able to take full advantage of being able to coordinate all areas of resource planning now and in the future. Be sure to be realistic in your analysis. Powerful software tools require training across your business to implement, and software that includes excess processes that you know you will never need add unnecessary complexity and cost.
The benefit of Enterprise Resource Planning software is the ability to go beyond the simple balance sheet provided by financial software. For your business to reap the greatest ROI from your system, you need to be able to take full advantage of being able to coordinate all areas of resource planning now and in the future. Be sure to be realistic in your analysis. Powerful software tools require training across your business to implement, and software that includes excess processes that you know you will never need add unnecessary complexity and cost.
Deployment method
There are two methods for deploying ERP software in your business: On site and Cloud-based. Each business is unique in structure, and your deployment method should be based on your current and projected business needs.
On site deployment will cost more initially, in most cases, but it has the benefit of being completely secure and not dependent on internet connections. If your business has a need for high security and information control, this may be the best way for you to go. If you already have ERP capable servers, technology, and IT staff in place for other business needs, on site deployment may also make more sense financially for your business.
Cloud-based computing gives businesses access to ERP solutions with less initial cost. Outside servers host the software and data, and your solution provider generally does the updates, patches and other IT maintenance required to keep your programs up to date. Cloud-based servers are also secure servers, but can be targets for cyber attack. If your business requires reasonable security, and the flexibility of lower start-up costs plus anywhere access to the system, Cloud-based servers may be the best answer for your needs.
On site deployment will cost more initially, in most cases, but it has the benefit of being completely secure and not dependent on internet connections. If your business has a need for high security and information control, this may be the best way for you to go. If you already have ERP capable servers, technology, and IT staff in place for other business needs, on site deployment may also make more sense financially for your business.
Cloud-based computing gives businesses access to ERP solutions with less initial cost. Outside servers host the software and data, and your solution provider generally does the updates, patches and other IT maintenance required to keep your programs up to date. Cloud-based servers are also secure servers, but can be targets for cyber attack. If your business requires reasonable security, and the flexibility of lower start-up costs plus anywhere access to the system, Cloud-based servers may be the best answer for your needs.
Technology partner
Whether you need a highly complex or relatively simple ERP system, and whether you are looking to install it on site or in the cloud, the most critical decision you will make is who will guide you through the process. With so many options, it is vital you find a technology partner that will walk you through each step of the process to assure your business gets the most benefit from your ERP investment.
You will want to select someone who provides both on site and cloud based ERP systems. This assures that as you develop a blueprint of what your business needs your provider will seek the best solution for you, rather than pushing you toward the platform they provide. You will want to select a provider who works with top tier programs to keep your ERP in line with industry standards making it easy to integrate access for outside entities. Most importantly, you want a provider with a customer focus who understands all aspects of the ERP deployment process, from needs analysis to employee training.
You will want to select someone who provides both on site and cloud based ERP systems. This assures that as you develop a blueprint of what your business needs your provider will seek the best solution for you, rather than pushing you toward the platform they provide. You will want to select a provider who works with top tier programs to keep your ERP in line with industry standards making it easy to integrate access for outside entities. Most importantly, you want a provider with a customer focus who understands all aspects of the ERP deployment process, from needs analysis to employee training.
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