Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) refers to the consolidated process of organizing, storing, collecting, accessing, and editing data that is produced and used by a company. Some of the ERP system modules include accounting, inventory management, customer relations, and product tracking.
With the advancement of technology, ERP software has significantly improved over time and has become an indispensable tool in the operation of several successful companies. If you’re considering implementing ERP in your enterprise, here are just some of the benefits that ERP system integration has to offer you.
Streamlined Business Operations
Through the ERP system, employees can conduct business processes on a unified platform. Say goodbye to separate spreadsheets and software that costs you more time, capital, and labor to maintain, access, and duplicate. It’s also possible to monitor product pipelines, track the working time of employees, and access data relevant to your task—all within a single program.
With ERP’s accurate records and efficient tracking system, company personnel and management can easily see the bigger picture of complex business operations. It also allows you to more effectively identify redundant processes and weaknesses for improvement. Consequently, this leads to increased efficiency and productivity, which are crucial in accomplishing company goals.
Up-to-Date, Accurate, and Consistent Data
In a traditional setting, different departments use separate databases and methods in gathering information and storing data. The process includes ledgers, written journals, and checklists. While this method may be effective for small businesses, it is highly prone to human error. It not only leads to costs more labor and capital but is also detrimental to company decision-making.
With a centralized system, the data received from different departments are compiled in one database. In this manner, the information is accurate and consistent for use to those who access it.
Better Coordination among Different Company Sectors
Companies are divided into smaller departments, each with its own autonomy. While autonomy is crucial to their functions, it can impede interdepartmental communication and coordination. It is especially the case if one department needs relevant data from another part of the company and there’s a delay in the transmission of data.
Using an integrated ERP system, you can guarantee easy access to information and resource sharing among different sectors. This results in more efficient operations and also helps departments collaborate.
Easy Tracking System
The proper tracking of products is necessary to ensure successful transactions and to maximize company resources. ERP systems come with high-performing tracking features (such as barcode scanning), which make it easier for you to visualize where a product is. Whether the item is in manufacturing, inventory, or delivery, you can effortlessly determine its status and make sure that it ends up in your customer’s hands.
Improved Customer and Supplier Relations
As business operations improve and several processes become automated, you can allot more resources to other profit-generating aspects of your company. One of which is customer relations—which includes: responding to inquiries faster, building rapport with potential clients, and completing business transactions more efficiently. Through the ERP’s tracking system, you can monitor the movement of the product until it safely reaches your clients. With better services, you can retain more customers and reach out to more potential ones.
Improved customer relations bode good news to your suppliers as well. As you continue to purchase from them to transact with customers, you can ensure a lasting relationship with their companies.
Privacy and Security
While company information is stored in a single database, not all of it should be available for everyone. Different personnel and departments have varying levels of access to specific kinds of information. More sensitive data such as customer information and employee salaries will have proper security to ensure that only authorized people can see them. Human resources, for example, has access to employee information but not necessarily those of customers.
Compliance to Regulations
Businesses are subject to industry guidelines, but several companies often forget to stand by these rules. Hospitals, for example, need to follow the regulations set in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to continue operations. ERP software has built-in compliance support, which ensures that your company is adhering to all industry standards.
Flexible System Organization through Modules
One of the key advantages of using ERP is its ability to adapt and expand depending on an enterprise’s needs. ERP is made up of licensed modules, which you can choose from and add whenever necessary. Take retailing companies for example. Inventory management, accounting, and human resources would be the first modules they get for ERP and then expand to other modules later on. This feature is significantly helpful to companies with ERP, for it means that they don’t need to completely change their systems as the business grows and expands.
Clearly, there are several perks to using an ERP system in your company. However, the improper implementation of such a high-performing program may do more harm than good to business operations. Thus, you need to partner with reliable system analysts and providers, who can assist you in choosing the best ERP software for your enterprise. Research on excellent system providers in the area and start the transformation of your company today.
