Enterprise resource planning systems, also called ERP business solutions, are designed to integrate multiple back office business management functions onto a single standardized software platform. Enterprise resource planning systems can be used to simplify data sharing and facilitate the work of employees with diverse functions across multiple departments. Businesses that stand to gain the most from the implementation of an enterprise resource planning business solution are typically those with a strong manufacturing or distribution component, or a heavy reliance on complex scheduling or customer relationship management. High returns on enterprise resource planning investments usually happen in fields like food and beverage distribution, electronics manufacturing, apparel, pharmaceuticals, and construction. If you own or manage technology for a small to mid-range business in any of these areas, consider installing an enterprise resource planning solution or taking advantage of enterprise resource planning services through a remote host or application service provider. Enterprise resource planning modules can help your departments handle functions like supply chain management, inventory control, accounting, human capital management and payroll. The right enterprise resource planning solution can provide your employees with the ability to do more with less, and can give you the cost cutting measures and competitive advantage you need to stay a step ahead of your competition, even during the most challenging business climates.

Enterprise resource planning

Enterprise resource planning and What it Means for Small Business Owners

If you haven’t investigated enterprise resource planning for your small business, of if you explored the option years ago and found it to be cost-ineffective, now may be the perfect time to re-open your investigation. The enterprise resource planning solution marketplace is undergoing a dramatic down-market shift, which is working to the benefit of providers and small business owners alike. New enterprise resource planning modules are available that are more streamlined and powerful than ever before. And as modules become more scaled and affordable, they also experience a steady expansion in capabilities. Many options that were once considered cutting edge are now viewed as standard, and many new enterprise resource planning features become available every day to help managers coordinate their tasks and raise efficiency.

If you are about to investigate enterprise resource planning options for the first time, your process may be streamlined by the completion of a few preliminary steps. First, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of your current software system to find out your current workflows are and are not being successfully managed. Uncover your system strengths and weaknesses and use the data you gather to complete a detailed needs assessment that can guide your product comparisons and conversations with software service providers.

Early enterprise resource planning solutions were cumbersome and expensive, and even though they remained in high demand among large firms throughout the 1990s, they were not typically available to smaller firms with limited technology budgets. This began to change within a few years after the arrival of the new millennium. At that point, demand for traditional systems finally began to cool at the high budget level, and developers turned their attention downstream in order to stay competitive. They began and ongoing effort to scale and customize enterprise resource planning products and solutions.   

Written by :

Amy Cruz