The business landscape is changing every day. New industries are forming and, outdated practices are under elimination. It can be a challenge to navigate this, particularly for Small-to-Medium Businesses (SMB). As part of it, new tools are available. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems enable companies to take control of their workflows and manage their resources. What follows is a guide for SMBs to develop ERP systems to their fullest. Cloud vendors, such as Acumatica, offer industry-leading software and user resources.
Plan Ahead
For an SMB to take advantage of the powerful capabilities offered by modern ERP systems, it is vital to create a fully realized and complete roadmap prior to launch. The plan should include all aspects of the requirements for the system, alongside potential risks and pitfalls. Only by laying out the project pathways can a company guarantee that their project will be a solid investment, with some analysts reporting two-fold return on interest.
As part of the roadmap, it is essential that companies of all sizes create a list of guidelines in order to understand their workflow requirements. Part of the process is listing exactly what their data usage is, inventory management, and even customer satisfaction rates. Data-driven programs are at the core of ERP usage.
SMBs in particular must also recognize that their cloud vendor has a vested interest in the project alongside the buyer. The vendor is willing to work alongside when in the planning stages to customize the product and offer their expertise and services. For SMBs, take a look at the marketplace and find the ERP system which meets the stated requirements.
Provide Team Buy-in
After the planning stage is completed, part of the next step is to ensure that the company has buy-in from all relevant shareholders. This is vital to avoid costly delays or a project reboot along the process when launching an ERP system. This is easier for smaller companies, but its importance cannot be overstated. Team leaders and managers must know what is expected of them, and be willing to carry it out to provide a smooth launch experience. At the same time, project managers must be willing to accept feedback as part of the process.
ERP systems are very flexible and easy to use, but for them to operate effectively the users must be trained to use it and trust that their inputs are part of the experience. So end users must have a knowledgebase that is accessible for the team. With all aspects of the project working smoothly together, the ERP systems can take over outdated practices and reduce expenditures. This development is leading the trends in the digital realm, with companies more focused than ever on eliminating waste and operating efficiently.
Work with the Developer
Cloud vendors, such as Acumatica, have decades of experience in ERP and consumer-based software systems and put the customer at the forefront of all interactions. So companies are able to partner with the vendors to provide the best possible outcomes for using ERP systems for workflows. The vendors are willing to provide a top-tier experience to their customers.
For SMBs, it is necessary to partner with the vendor. Be sure to give relevant access to data points, as well as to IT systems so the vendor can fully customize the software. As the ERP programs, often cloud-based, are flexible, they are quickly modifiable for any transaction and workflow process.
Wrap-up
Replacing or modifying a company’s workflow practices by adopting ERP systems can be a significant project. Therefore it is vital that a business plans ahead to the greatest extent to minimize waste. For SMBs, it is well worth the effort spend to partner with the right vendor. Consider Acumatica, an experienced provider of cloud-based consumer systems.
You can learn more about how ERP benefits an SMB and check out resource guides here: