If you are like most business owners, you probably don’t have much time to research Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. You know you need one, but you’re unsure where to start. This blog post will discuss the basics of ERP systems and how to choose the right one for your business. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge into the world of enterprise resource planning, read on.
What is an ERP System?
Before we dive into how to choose an ERP system, let’s take a step back and answer the question: what is an ERP system? At a high level, ERP is software that consolidates, organizes, and manages all the information your business needs to run smoothly.
When they were first introduced in the 1970s, ERPs were for heavy industry and major logistics enterprises. Today, ERP covers almost every area of business operations and finance. This can include inventory, customers, orders, financials, and more. ERP systems are helpful for businesses of all sizes. They can help simplify complex processes, save time, and improve department communication.
The benefits of using an ERP system
As we mentioned, ERP systems can help simplify complex processes and save time. They can also improve communication between departments, leading to better decision-making across the company.
In addition, ERP systems can provide insights into your business that you wouldn’t be able to get from using multiple software solutions. And, because they consolidate all your information into one place, they can save you money on storage and other costs associated with maintaining separate systems.
How to choose the right ERP system for your business
Follow the steps below to ensure you select an ERP system that meets your business’ specific needs.
- Step #1: Define your business needs—What business and operational processes do you need to streamline? What information do you need to track? Where are you feeling pain from poor productivity and loss of control over orders? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options and find an ERP system that is a good fit for your business.
- Step #2: Consider ease of use and scalability—Once you’ve defined your business needs, it’s time to look at different ERP systems. As you compare different options, keep ease of use and scalability in mind. You want an ERP system that is easy to use so your employees will actually use it. And you want a scalable system so you can continue using it as your business grows. Today, this means using a cloud-based ERP like Acumatica.
- Step #3: Compare features and pricing—Next, you’ll want to compare features and pricing to find an ERP system that fits your budget. Make a list of the features you need and compare prices to see which options are the most affordable. For some ERP solutions, this process might involve selecting the modules you need, such as accounting, warehouse management, sales order management and so forth.
- Step #4: Get expert opinions—Finally, get expert opinions on different ERP systems before making your final decision. Talk to other businesses in your industry and see what they’re using. Read online reviews. And contact an ERP expert to get their professional opinion.
Why Acumatica is the right ERP system for your business
Acumatica is a leading ERP system that offers all the features you need to make your business run better—and more profitably. Cloud-based Acumatica is easy to use, scalable, and affordable, making it the perfect choice for businesses of all sizes. Besides that, Acumatica can uniquely adapt to your changing needs, accelerate your cash flow, manage your inventory, improve efficiencies, and better serve your clients.
Acumatica is also constantly innovating to provide its users with the latest and most sophisticated features. And because Acumatica is cloud-based, you can access it from anywhere, at any time, with its easy-to-use interface. If you’re looking for an ERP system that will meet your business needs and then some, look no further than Acumatica.
Bottom line
ERP systems can help simplify complex processes, save time, and improve department communication. When choosing an ERP system for your business, define your business needs, consider ease of use and scalability, compare features and pricing, and get expert opinions.
Learn more about how Acumatica can help your business run better and grow in this Acumatica Demo.
Additional ERP Resources
How Modern ERP Supports Digital Transformation