Developing Your People and Processes Along with Your ERP

The three most important aspects of your company are your people, your processes, and your products – in that order. Many businesses that implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or customer relationship management (CRM) software face the same challenge: they get so engrossed in learning how to use it that they forget about their people and how they may be affected by the new software systems.

An ERP system is a key part of equipping your team and business with the best tools for growth. Implementing an ERP system is challenging, yes, requiring in-depth use of time, money, and peoplepower as well as introducing large scale changes in how you do business. Ultimately, however, an ERP system is worth the investment as it reduces costs, increases efficiency, and streamlines processes; it offers value to your employees, customers, and vendors.

Here’s how an ERP system can affect costs, streamlining, efficiency, and processes:

Costs

An ERP system reduces infrastructure and IT costs. Businesses can replace several disparate software systems with one connected platform. Improved management of inventory and processes reduces material and personnel costs.

Streamlining

An ERP system combines all of your data into a single database, updates information in real-time, is highly customizable, allows you to automate many processes, and offers transparency across your entire organization. With user dashboards, employees can very quickly see only what they need, with the ability to drill down for additional detail if required.

Efficiency

After appropriate training, your employees can get more work done, more quickly. Why? Because the setup of ERP and CRM systems takes information out of isolated locations and makes it available across the board from a single program. No more switching between programs, calling manufacturing to check statuses, searching through paper files to help customers, etc.

Processes

A good business develops processes to produce profit. The processes your company develops – for inventory management, training, human resources, information technology, etc. – are the driving force behind your software. As you consider purchasing and implementing an ERP system, you need to know your current processes. If you don’t, any software you choose will have qualities you could use but don’t know you need – a serious case of wasted potential. When considering your processes and an ERP system, also keep in mind that one of the goals is to make it easier for your employees to do their work.

A good ERP system will give your company customizable tools to develop business processes; it’s up to you to help your employees grow as well. Do you want more information about enterprise resource planning systems or about developing your people along with your processes? For more information, contact Mantralogix today.