Enterprise resource planning software is already a must-have system in the manufacturing industry and has been so for decades. Because of the high level of penetration of ERP into the industry, manufacturing businesses often have more knowledge and experience on hand. This makes the selection and implementation easier for companies involved in manufacturing, although there are still plenty of issues that need attention when these organizations add or update an ERP system.
At companies in other industries, familiarity with ERP may not be as strong. The versatility of this software has become known in many parts of the overall market, but there isn't as much experience among staff and executives from verticals other than manufacturing. In these cases a little guidance can go a long way when it comes to effective selection and implementation. Here are three questions businesses should be able to answer as they move through the ERP process, from choosing an effective ERP partner to dealing with upgrades and updates further down the line.
Do you have complete internal documentation?
Documenting internal processes is key for ERP systems to be effective and efficient. The ERP Software Blog, which focuses on solutions from the Microsoft Dynamics range of products, pointed out how crucial it is for businesses to have complete and up-to-date internal documentation before beginning any of the other steps in the process. Without these records, it will be harder to find an ERP provider that offers the right software for a company. But the biggest problem involves return on investment and building a useful system. When an organization has inaccurate or outdated documentation, it can affect how different modules and components - selected for their expected usefulness - are utilized. This will drag down on return on investment and cause problems going forward, hamstringing the usefulness of an ERP platform.
Who is your ERP partner?
ERP is far beyond traditional consumer software in terms of complexity. This isn't being said to discourage adoption, but to provide the reminder that it's very tough if not impossible to go through an implementation without the help of a partner. A good ERP partner that can provide guidance and draw on previous experiences in similar situations will be a major asset for a company looking to implement new software, no matter what field a business is involved in. Having this sort of expertise on hand is vitally important for companies that haven't used an ERP system in the past or are upgrading to a more modern solution. Follow-up work involving upgrades and changes to a platform are also much easier with an ERP partner who keeps a close eye on the market as it changes and advances.
Do you know what your competitors, vendors and buyers are doing?
It's not a best practice to simply copy the efforts of other businesses in the marketplace, but situational awareness can pay off as a system is developed and implemented. The bulk of current industry knowledge as it relates to ERP will come from a partner, but knowing what other companies in the field are doing can help as well on a more micro level. ERP Focus provided a reminder that working professional connections to learn a little more about ERP can certainly pay off. This especially true when discussing the small details of similar organizations as well as when considering compatibility issues with vendors and partners.
These three questions aren't the only ones that businesses will have to ask when implementing ERP, but knowing the answers will help realize a higher ROI.
Looking for a new ERP Solution?
If you are looking to implement a new ERP solution, it is very important to choose the right partner. The TM Group has been a leading provider of CRM and ERP solutions since 1984 and would love to work with your organization. To learn more about The TM Group please visit www.tmgroupinc.com or contact us via phone at 248-489-0707.