The following was adapted from a Ziff-Davis / Inside ERP report on how to effectively position and sell management on a new ERP system.
Enterprise resource planning systems, or ERP systems, have become much more accessible to midsize and even smaller companies in the past three years. Standard, or out-of-the-box features have matured, eliminating much of the guesswork of software selection, while the systems have become easier to deploy and use. Delivery options have expanded beyond on-premise software to include cost-effective options and solutions such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and cloud-based products, like SAP Business ByDesign and SAP Business One OnDemand.
Many companies are struggling to support legacy ERP solutions that have not kept up or kept pace with new ERP technologies that have popped up. Others may be looking for the right ERP solution to deploy for the first time. The following checklist will make sure your are "up to snuff" on all the latest terms, standards, expectations, and justifications so to ultimately convince your executive management team that ERP is not only needed, but vital to the company's continued growth and viability.
1. ERP isn't what it used to be - and less expensive options are now available
Many top-tier enterprise software providers/vendors now offer ERP solutions custom tailored to their needs - and budgets - especially those of small-midsize companies. Even big guns in the ERP space like SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft are now focusing on delivering world-class ERP solutions to the small-midsize sector.
2. ERP systems are now easier to deploy and manage
Traditional on-premise ERP has been notoriously difficult, and in some cases, very costly to install and manage. But newer delivery models ease much of the pain of a new ERP deployment. You can now choose from cloud-based solutions, SaaS offerings, on-demand ERP, and hybrid deployments that mix and/or blend on-premise and cloud services.
3. ERP solutions are easier to use.
Many ERP solutions have become easier to use, thanks to new interfaces that guide users through the system, built-in search functionality, and role-based access to data that enables users and employees only the information that is mission-critical to their specific roles & requirements.
4. Collaboration tools are now built in
Many modern ERP systems now offer built-in collaboration features that make it much simpler for employees to work together with collegues and partners. Some solutions are even now providing integration with non-ERP collaboration software, such as email, eCommerce, and external retail (POS) and EDI applications.
5. Gain new mobile ERP applications
ERP systems are becoming more accessible from a variety of devices, and more specifically mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. Some vendors now offer mobile ERP apps for employees who need to access data, such as inventory numbers or accounting updates, from the ERP system to their smartphone - all in real time. And, SAP ByDesign goes further, allowing users to see, and subsequently approve, alerts and workflows - ensuring that wherever you are, your data and your decision-making capabilities are right there with you.
6. Make your organization operate more efficiently
ERP integrates a variety of critical business functions to make your organization operate more efficiently. New solutions provide even deeper integrations between your financial applications, supply chain management, human resource management, and CRM for extensive real-time data. And with SAP, these integrations are available out of the box - linking all of your critical business processes and departments are already connected together - all from within one piece of software.
SAP Business ByDesign and SAP Business One OnDemand are both SaaS based ERP platforms that are ideal for rapidly growing small-midsize businesses.
To learn more about these solutions, and how they can benefit your organization, visit our solutions section, or register for one of our FREE weekly live demos, held Fridays at 11:00 EST/8:00 AM PST.
Questions? Contact us today at 877.395.4SAP or email info@nbs-us.com
