When companies large and small, in goods or services, in the manufacturing, wholesale or retail domains envision their ERP system, and their next ERP system, the focus inevitably falls on internal practices and procedures. Opportunities for added savings and efficiencies are seen as coming from within, rather than from external activities.  So it’s a pleasant surprise that so much innovation, competitive advantage and global reach for best in class companies comes from the collaboration with partners, suppliers and customers made possible by advanced, integrated, Web-enabled ERP systems.

ERP Software

ERP Systems Become Collaboration Engines (Part 1)

With the certainty that global slumps inevitably end, many companies are already planning an ERP system upgrade. Near the top of the of added functionality they seek is tighter integration and more fluid data sharing with the world outside the four walls. ERP systems make it possible for enterprises to share data, synchronize transactions and extend business processes with collaborators, safely and securely.

ERP-enabled collaboration can be a little like putting together an All Star team. Enterprises can stick to their core competencies and “virtualalize” everything else, handing off parts of the process to best-of-the-best partners.  Tapping into the knowledge, experience and resources of such partners enables companies to accomplish more with less and focus on those things that establish compelling market differentiation.

Collaboration sparks innovation, as well. Partners are more tightly in the loop and can see the big picture with new clarity. That enables them to suggest improvements and to innovate on their own to better serve you and you, in turn, the final customer. Companies that collaborate free up resources to improve their own products and services and, with the help of partners, bring innovation to market more quickly.

The Virtual Enterprise finds its supply chains becoming ever more globally diverse, comprised of tiers of collaborators of all types and sizes, adding value in both traditional and unique ways. Commerce flows two ways, and global outsourcing often leads to global sales, with increasing volumes of revenue coming from international sales.

Customers too are empowered by collaboration, self-serving themselves into higher levels of satisfaction and loyalty. Yes, they are becoming more demanding and less tolerant. Collaboration with partners, customers and suppliers makes a company more agile and faster on its feet and thus more able to rise to higher and higher standards of customer service.

In the next chapter in this series, we’ll take a look at the things an enterprise needs to do to access the aforementioned benefits of Web-enabled ERP.

Written by :

kristine H