Features to look for when choosing an ERP software

ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, has been already acknowledged by the vast majority of business leaders. An ERP solution can transform the way you do business, organize and automate it. Few of the numerous advantages of implementing an ERP software are: better productivity and efficiency, lower costs, improved task management, etc. And here you can have a look at some of the reasons why you should think of implementing an ERP system and how it can be beneficial for your business.

ERP is not only a system though. It is a higher-level management strategy for planning an enterprise’s resources and controlling cost and time. However, all the benefits come with and after choosing the right ERP solution. So, what questions should you consider in this selection process?

There are three main criteria to look for when choosing and ERP solution.

It has to fit your business. You can buy a cheap software but if it does not fit for your business needs, plan and requirements, then you will spend a lot of money on customization. Poor fitness leads to huge customization, which eventually results in over-budget and over-time. Ultimately the outcome is an ERP failure. Therefore, you should choose a software that is fit for you.

Before you contact vendors, it is imperative that your business has a clear understanding of what would be required from a prospective system.

Configurability is the second criteria. Business is very dynamic and various scenarios and specific cases can occur at any time. So, the ERP system should be able to handle these dynamics. Otherwise you will end up having partial information in ERP, which is not a good basis for making plans and decisions.

Configuration is a key feature of an ERP software and can be done by a non-programmer. It allows you to set up different business cases without touching the source code. So, choose an option that is easy to update and will preserve custom features.

Configurability goes hand in hand with system integration. If you select an ERP solution that is unable to integrate with the systems that are currently in use in your business, then the problems and unnecessary costs you get as a result will be much bigger than the benefits you could acquire from implementation.

This, and of course, all of the above are interrelated with the vendor’s experience and reputation. So, it is important that you review the vendor’s recent products and whether they have specialized experience in the field of your business. Getting reviews from other clients is a good way to ensure that the whole transition and working process will be smooth. And this will establish a solid basis for a lasting and trusted partnership.

And here are few more points to have in mind when choosing and ERP solution for your business:

• Evaluate the costs – are they going to be one-time or ongoing.
• Check if your vendor is willing to work with new technologies, mobile apps, etc. This will ensure that your business will not be left behind in its development and will be able to utilise new technologies.
• Search for references from businesses that are in similar industries and situation as you.

Let’s not forget that the ERP implementation process can last for a few months so one should really be equipped with patience. Another important aspect is that you should definitely have a person, responsible for the stages of implementation from your company’s side. He definitely has to be equipped with the necessary technical knowledge.

With so many ERP options out there, it might be a very overwhelming task to find the right ERP solution for your business. Having all these criteria and points in mind will help you sort out the needs of your business and will make your strategy clear.

Check out our services in the ERP and Digital Platform implementation and do not hesitate to contact us for further information.