Do I need an ERP?

Companies often come to the conclusion that they need an ERP by decanting. That is, there are many symptoms that, accumulated and prolonged over time, lead to the decision to acquire software of these characteristics.

But usually when it comes to this point, there are already many problems seriously affecting the operations of the company. And it is even possible that hasty, unnecessary and costly decisions have already been made for the company. The reason lies in the lack of knowledge about the benefits offered by an ERP and in the underrating of some of the symptoms and problems that appear at the beginning.

With this article we want to help you detect those indicators that indicate the need to start thinking about deploying a comprehensive business management system, which is known as an ERP.

At NaN-tic we accumulate enough years of experience to know that each company is different. What are your products or services, your growth prospects and your managers and employees, your operating system and your work philosophy. But in spite of everything, there are a series of needs that are common, and when these are not satisfied, the symptoms are also universal.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

Read carefully the following situations that we give you as an example. They are just some of the thousands of symptoms that appear at one time or another to most companies. If you are familiar or feel identified, you almost certainly need an ERP.

• The company is unproductive because employees spend a lot of time entering information into the tools and apps that allow you to work.
• You have the feeling that you have many small tools that serve very specific needs. And this ecosystem, far from being reduced, is expanding. The costs of acquisition, use and maintenance also skyrocket.
• The different applications and programs used by the company do not communicate with each other. You have to enter the data (totally or partially) more than once.
• The control of batches and products that you receive from suppliers is getting bigger and more complex.
• Customer service is not good enough: there are errors in deliveries, employees who relate to customers do not have enough information and are often in evidence, there is not enough communication between the departments of the company.
• Your customers buy online but they call you by phone so they do not have an invoice and they do not have a place to download it.
• You are unable to relate and control the entire business process, since a lead appears until the product or service has been sold and a hypothetical post-sale management has been made.
• You do not have a global vision of how the company is doing. You can not clearly see the weak points or anticipate market needs or opportunities.
• ….

Does this music sound to you?

TREATMENT: UNIFICATION AND CONTROL

An ERP is unification and control of data and processes. It is a single point to manage most of the information and processes of the company, where static information and documents in flow are shared among all users of the system.

That is, unifying the information in a single system could reduce the volume of information that employees of the organization are introducing. Many of the processes can be centralized and automated. For example: you could integrate the information with your customers or suppliers through EDI, so the batches or serial numbers and all the material that you have to deliver would already be automatically in your system.

The possibilities offered by an ERP to improve the management of your company are practically unlimited, especially if you opt for solutions that are highly scalable and customizable. It's like an engine to which you can add more power and performance as you need it.

WHERE IS THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION?

The digital transformation of the companies that everyone talks about is one more step in this direction. So, the digital transformation, when we apply it to the ERP is not only to use technology to make more efficient what we already did up to now, but to make use of technology to differentiate ourselves from the competition. To do something that was not possible without it. The one that lets you not only want to change, but you can do it thanks to it.

We are aware that facing this process of digital transformation produces certain vertigo, but it is essential if you have lived situations like the ones we have previously exposed. To help companies that are in this situation we have published the Definitive Guide for choosing Business Management Software. It is an extensive and free document that will guide you in the process of selecting an ERP and the partner that will have to adapt and install it. A document that, by the way, hundreds of companies have already been downloaded for free.