Enterprise resource planning is an integrated software platform that enables companies to automate and manage their core back-office functions. These include accounting, human resource management, marketing, sales, inventory control, material procurement, logistics, and supply chain operations. The software system’s suite of applications integrates and synchronizes numerous business processes to ensure seamless data connectivity between them. This helps to streamline and optimize the workflow within the organization. Moreover, the software’s in-built centralized repository facilitates the collection and sharing of transactional data from many sources. This minimizes data duplication and allows the top managerial personnel of the companies to get better business insights.
Why should small companies operate ERP software systems?
Entrepreneurs of small companies reach a stage where they realize that operating numerous standalone business solutions cannot meet their growth needs. They generally face the following problems when it comes to running their small businesses:
- Managing core activities is difficult and time-consuming with numerous business software solutions which do not have a common interface,
- Having to manually re-type identical business data into segregate business solutions cause numerous clerical errors, and
- Maintain separate business solutions whose key performance indicators are difficult to access. This adversely affects decision-making.
Many of them even have a difficult time having to control ever-increasing operating costs and monitoring inventory levels. This ultimately leads to a decline in customer engagement, annual revenues, and after-tax profits. In this situation, the entrepreneurs should seriously consider operating the latest ERP software systems for their small companies.
How do the software systems work?
Entrepreneurs of small companies need to understand all enterprise resource planning software solutions comprise numerous modules. The modules share a centralized repository (database) to ensure smooth data connectivity and transmission between them. Each of these modules consists of numerous standard data structures and focuses on one key area of the entrepreneurs’ business. However, the in-built modules include finance, logistics, sales, and human resources. In addition, the entrepreneurs have the option to buy and operate specific industry-based modules which relate to their businesses under a license.
The information employees of one department enter into the software system accumulates in the database. Therefore, it is readily accessible to end-users who have necessary authorization privileges as and when the need arises. However, if they attempt to re-type the same information, the software system’s uniform structure automatically generates an error message. This maintains data integrity and improves business visibility to enable managers to make better decisions.
The key advantages of operating an enterprise resource planning software system for small companies are as follows:
- Increases cost savings by streamlining business processes and automating manual tasks,
- Enhances workflow visibility by enabling employees to access data from one software system to another, and
- Ensures the proper compliance with industry-specific financial reporting and data security regulations.
Operate a suitable ERP software platform enables small companies to take their businesses to the next level. The system they choose should be compatible with other business solutions in their IT infrastructure to ensure smooth integration. Furthermore, it should incorporate the latest machine learning, robotic automation, and artificial intelligence that is scalable to the companies’ growth needs both in the present and future.