If you have an ERP implementation happening, one of the first and probably most important questions that you will be asked is ‘what are the best ERP systems to fulfil your business goals?’ This is an important question because no business in any industry can hope to succeed if it does not have a properly implemented ERP system in place. It is like asking ‘what are the best cars’, if you do not know what the best cars are you can’t drive one! Similarly if you do not know what the best ERP systems are for your business, you cannot hope to achieve maximum efficiency in your operations.
So the very first thing you need to do is understand the importance of ERP implementation in your industry and then ask ‘what are the best systems’. If you have any idea about the best ERP systems, you will find that there are many things that need to be considered. For example, how a system can integrate with your current manufacturing procedures and what are the current manufacturing processes you are currently following? Do you require any help from outside and what are the requirements for training and staff participation? What are the future plans for your company and are there any future strategic objectives?
As I said before it is impossible to answer ‘what are the best ERP systems to fulfil your business goals’ in one article. But you should have a basic idea of what a successful ERP system does in order to understand what the best systems are. In this article we shall briefly examine some of the features that ensure the ERP delivers the best possible value for money to its users. We shall also examine some of the features that are optional but extremely important for ERP implementation in any business.
When considering what are the best ERP systems to suit your business, you need to have a clear vision of the data that needs to be stored, processed and shared in these systems. ERP software systems have become much more complex over the years as they have developed to support and integrate all types of businesses from manufacturing to construction. Functional requirements for each type of company will vary so it is necessary to tailor the required systems to the size and nature of your business.
Another question that most people ask when discussing what are the best ERP systems to meet their business needs is ‘Do I need a system with one or two versions?’ In many respects a two dimensional design is more manageable because it provides more flexibility in regards to the data that is provided. However, there are times when a person or a business needs a three dimensional design. In these situations you need to ensure that the ERP system that you buy incorporates both versions.
What are the best ERP systems to fulfil your business goals? The answer to this question is not an easy one. Some factors that affect this decision include the size and nature of your business, the number of employees and whether you employ staff who use a traditional system or whether they use an ERP system. If your employees are predominantly using a computerised system, you may be more interested in a web-based system because you will be able to monitor activity, sales figures and productivity figures easily. However if your business involves staff who use a paper based system, then you will be more interested in an ERP system that includes a back up memory capability so that you can always go back to the past.
Another factor that will determine what are the best ERP systems to fulfil your business goals is the type of business that you run. If your business is seasonal then it makes little sense investing in a top of the range ERP system when you are only engaged in the activity less than half of the year. This would be like buying an expensive sports car when you only drive twice a year! On the other hand, if you are involved in trade or manufacturing, and your sales involve thousands of jobs, then investing in a comprehensive system will be extremely beneficial.
When you are trying to find the best ERP systems to match your business requirements, there is no single source that will supply you with the answers that you are seeking. In fact there are probably as many opinions on this topic as there are people who have made an effort to resolve the problem. Therefore, you really need to do some homework in order to make the best decision for your business.