ERP Business Management Software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business process management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business and automate many back office functions related to technology, services and human resources.

ERP software typically integrates all facets of an operation — including product planning, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing — in a single database, application and user interface.

Regardless of size, type and niche, a business has several critical areas that need to be managed well. ERP software applies integrated solutions to streamline, automate and link the different departments and divisions of an organization such as HR, IT, finance, sales, and customer service. An ERP system serves as the hub whose network of solutions pump vital nutrients to all areas and functions of the organization to keep them in tune and in good working condition.

Since ERP software covers the entire spectrum of activities and binds together all processes across the organization, there are a plethora of benefits that can be gained from its implementation. It’s an understatement to say there are so many advantages that an ERP system can offer. Here are just some of them.

• Improve data quality and accessibility. A unified database is the predominant ERP feature that connects the various levels and departments of an organization. With a single source for data that is automatically collected, consolidated, organized and analyzed (largely without human input), you get accurate and reliable information to guide decisions. ERP systems allow you to control and set user permissions so that only the right people can access the right data anytime they need to. With most ERP software cloud hosted and featuring multi-device compatibility, your people can access data remotely while on the go.
• Improve reporting and planning. These are a direct result of having a single source of information. You can quickly generate any kind of reports – financial, sales, operational, inventory, procurement, administrative, etc. Likewise, the analytical capabilities of ERP greatly support corporate planning by providing you detailed insights and useful metrics on business performance and operational status.
• Improve collaboration. Another result of readily accessible data and company-spanning information is better collaboration. An ERP platform simplifies the collaboration process among teams and employees by giving them on-demand access to data across units in the organization.
• Improve visibility. The unified and centralized functional structure of ERP applications provides transparency and visibility into your business. An example is monitoring the status of your inventory levels even on a daily basis, letting you know current and incoming inventories, so you can precisely manage your working capital.
• Improve supply chain management. An ERP platform can boost your supply chain, making it more responsive through better demand forecasting, enhanced inventory management, efficient procurement, among others. A well managed supply chain opens opportunities for manufacturing innovations and helps reduce costs.
• Improve customer satisfaction. Far from what most people think, ERP is not super software but a collection of applications to manage numerous functional areas such as CRM, HR, financial accounting, e-commerce and others. All these are placed under the ERP umbrella to ultimately provide your customers the best experience and utmost satisfaction when dealing with your business, products and services.
• Reduce time and effort. ERP software automates tasks and processes thereby greatly reducing time, effort and resources spent on daily, repetitive manual activities. This frees up employee time to focus on other revenue enhancing tasks. Furthermore, ERP promotes the adoption of industry best practices on company-wide level to further bolster productivity.
• Reduce costs. An organization with smoothly running units that work optimally together redounds to lower costs and improve efficiency. ERP software is a unified platform of applications and tools that can dramatically lower IT related expenses such as administration, support, infrastructure needs, application licensing, and training requirements since users need only to learn one system rather than numerous separate applications. Acquiring an ERP suite requires considerable budgetary outlay, but you’ll find in the long run that your overall cost savings will outweigh your investment.
• Facilitate regulatory compliance. ERPs facilitate processes for regulatory compliance by combining secure and validated data with built-in reports. ERP software aids in producing information required by federal, state and local regulatory bodies.
• Facilitate data unification. The lifeblood of modern businesses is data, and ERP software is designed to handle, process, analyze, manage and unify data across functional units and multiple systems in an organization. An important aspect to data handling is having a central repository of information which an ERP facilitates, allowing you to control and determine who can see, edit and share data to ensure its integrity, accuracy and consistency.
• Facilitate standardized and simplified business. Most ERP systems are built around proven business processes and best industry practices which help you deliver effective and consistent results. Since ERP software automates most business activities, it aids in eliminating errors, facilitates planning and reporting, and bolsters synergy of processes among departments.

ERP software typically consists of multiple enterprise software modules that are individually purchased, based on what best meets the specific needs and technical capabilities of the organization. Each ERP module is focused on one area of business processes, such as product development or marketing.

Some of the most common ERP modules include those for product planning, material purchasing, inventory control, distribution, accounting, marketing, finance and HR. A business will typically use a combination of different modules to manage back-office activities and tasks including the following:

• Distribution process management
• Supply chain management
• Services knowledge base
• Configure prices
• Improve accuracy of financial data
• Facilitate better project planning
• Automate the employee life-cycle
• Standardize critical business procedures
• Reduce redundant tasks
• Assess business needs
• Accounting and financial applications
• Lower purchasing costs
• Manage human resources and payroll

As the ERP methodology has become more popular, software applications have emerged to help business managers implement ERP in to other business activities and may incorporate modules for CRM and business intelligence, presenting it as a single unified package.

We use the latest technologies – such as in-memory computing, Big Data analytics, enterprise mobility, and the Internet of Things (IoT) – to help our customers run live, digital businesses.