It is very common for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement ERP solutions in a haphazard, rushed manner. Creating a proper roadmap in terms of processes and resources just seems too cost-prohibitive and time-intensive. But the truth is that for any business that has objective-oriented processes to tend to, such as shipping and manufacturing lines, a planned ERP is just what the doctor ordered.
Below are the five ways ERP software can minimize waste and errors and put your business on a path to growth.
1) Increased Efficiency
Customers do not have the time or patience to put up with delays in deliveries. This is unacceptable in the fast tracked ecosystem enabled by technological advancements. Missing out on deadlines can tarnish your reputation and credibility in both the short and long term.
By integrating operational tasks with an ERP platform, you can turn the endless piles of paperwork into just a few electronic files. It becomes much easier this way to track supply chain with the use of an ERP system, while increasing traceability and accountability.
2) Higher Productivity
By increasing efficiency, you can set up a positive feedback loop that continuously refines productivity. The ERP platform makes it possible to automate business processes such as inventory tracking, logistics, shipping, and other areas that are manually intensive.
Automation means more processes are entrusted to the accuracy of ERP platforms instead of humans who are prone to errors, and this translates to higher productivity.
3) Optimized Communications
ERP makes it easy to implement cross-departmental communication between different employees, reduce errors, and improve productivity in unexpected ways. This should be obvious since everyone involved in the project is given information that is constantly updated across its database whenever any changes are made.
For example, as the sales agent receives an order from a customer, they promptly forward it to the order processing center.
In the case of increased back orders, sales agents will be fed with just the right information to steer customers to an alternative product and prevent canceled orders. As can be seen, optimized internal communications result in better customer feedback.
4) Increased Integration
As the productivity and efficiency of a company increases, integration of processes across different platforms becomes an issue. This is where ERP platforms can prove to be especially useful by providing decision makers with a clearer picture of daily operations. A bird’s eye view of current market conditions makes a business more agile in terms of designing apt responses to industry changes.
5) Reduced Waste
ERP platforms are able to provide real-time feedback about data processes across the department. Employees can better understand which processes are slowing down and what steps they can take to streamline the workflow. This is especially useful for e-commerce businesses which can minimize waste by automatically tracking expiration on perishable goods.
It also enables businesses to refill the most popular items whenever supply goes below certain thresholds. Tracking these products through an inventory control can minimize waste and missed opportunities.