How to Choose the Right ERP Software
Discover how to select the best ERP software system for your organization with our step-by-step guide. Learn about the essential features, implementation process, and tips to make an informed decision. Make the right choice for your business today!
There are numerous ERP software systems and programs in the market. This makes the process of selection a bit cumbersome and challenging. The best way to choose suitable ERP software is to streamline the ERP software systems and programs with your desired features. Below are some features you should look for when selecting the ERP software that best suits your business needs and requirements.
1. Scalability and Flexibility
When selecting an ERP system, one of the first things to do is thoroughly assess your business or company’s current needs. Once you have reviewed and documented your company’s needs, you can check the software’s flexibility and scalability.
An efficient ERP system must be flexible enough to integrate emerging technology and scale to meet the needs of the dynamic business and change customer satisfaction needs.
Avoid legacy ERP software and systems built on on-premise legacy and those disguised as cloud-based solutions but, in the real sense, are not.
An ERP that is not scalable and flexible will become obsolete in the coming years, either because of its lack of flexibility to integrate with emerging technology or its inability to scale up with the business or organizational needs.
2. Ease of Use
ERP systems are integrated to manage the company’s daily routine across various sectors; as such, they should match the expertise of the users. It should be simple enough. For example, SAP ERP is one of the best and most advanced ERP solutions. Due to its progressive nature, it is mainly used by big companies like Amazon. Beginners need help using SAP ERP due to its complexities. So you can only adopt it when you know your employers can efficiently use it.
The User experience (UX) should be easily customized to meet the needs of the company or business. Access the expertise level of your employee and partners and choose the one that suits them the most.
3. Cost
Your budget also influences the type of ERP software to go for. When calculating the cost, include ongoing costs incurred when using the software.
If your company is going for a cloud-based ERP, you have to consider the cost of implementation and the total cost of ownership. Also, consider the annual licensing fees and whether your company can easily cover them.
4. Integration with Existing Systems
Most businesses or organizations adopting ERP systems already have existing systems or programs that are functional for their business and are not ready to do away with them. So the question is, can the ERP system integrate with those existing systems? What types of integration tools does the ERP system have? In this case, you must choose an ERP system that can integrate seamlessly with the existing system to produce efficient results.
5. Functional Requirements
Businesses and organizations perform certain functional duties essential to them. The ERP you select must align with your business or organizational functional needs. Does the ERP support physical office sales orders? Does the accounting module of the ERP include multiple currencies? Does the tax module work with various tax regulatory agencies across the world? The answers to these questions and more can help you to select the most suitable ERP system for your organization.
6. Mobile-Friendly
The workplace is constantly changing and has experienced increased numbers of remote workers. These employees (both onsite and remote) need access to data and workflows to carry out their duties when due. If the ERP is not compatible with mobile devices, it might cause some form of limitation, hindering efficiency.
If you run a big organization that uses remote workers, you have to go for compatible ERP systems across many devices, including mobile platforms.
7. Vendor or Company Reputation
One of the significant things to do when choosing an ERP system is to assess the vendor’s reputation and expertise. This matters a lot when purchasing an ERP system. You have to get answers to questions such as:
● Does the business have a strong reputation for quality and durability?
● Does the vendor have significant experience with your specific industry?
● Is the vendor well-respected in my industry?
You can go online and read reviews from other clients about what they think of the particular software vendor. For instance, if you are running a retail store, you will check whether that particular software is compatible with the nature of your business. But if you find out that only those in the manufacturing industry approve of the software, it is unsuitable for you.
8. Implementation Process
When choosing ERP software, think about the implementation process and what it will require in terms of skill and resources. Some ERP systems are time-consuming to implement, and the employees will need to get extensive training to be able to use them.
Also, some ERP systems are trickier than others during implantation and may require certain things to be put in place, which might cause you more money. Find out the degree of support you will get from the vendor during implementation and whether they offer training to streamline and guide the implementation procedures.
9. Future Prospects
Check out the prospects when choosing an ERP system. As your business progresses into the future, it will require ongoing support. So will the ERP be dynamic enough to meet the changing market and customer needs?
Also, you need to consider the frequency of software upgrades your ERP will need and the scalability ability to integrate with potential new software and hardware.
Ask questions on the efficiency of customer support and sustainability of the ERP software before choosing it. Furthermore, ask questions on the possible effects of the ERP system during business expansion. These questions should direct you to make a good choice.
10. Reviews
Lastly, before choosing an ERP, you should go online and read customers’ reviews on them. Avoid ERP with low-rating cores and multiple complaints. Also, you can carry out a personal review to confirm your findings. You can call the company to ask some questions or visit the company to see how the system works in a real-life scenario.