Improving operations is essential for businesses across industries and of all sizes. Finding ways to increase efficiency and ultimately gain better profitability is the goal for many project managers, business owners, and those responsible for the supply chain.
If you’ve ever worked in any of these roles, you know how important “trimming the fat” is. In other words, getting rid of the extra, unnecessary processes and manual steps that slow things down and can have a trickling effect on the overall operations.
This is especially true for new businesses and those experiencing an uptick in demand. A sudden shift in output can easily throw even the smoothest processes out of whack. Instead of tipping the scales, using tools that automate manual processes will help keep team members and the rest of the business afloat. They can also offer time to focus on what’s essential: growth and quality output.
The bottom line: When automation is in place, businesses can make faster, more informed decisions, and this can ultimately can increase the profitability of their operations.
ERP systems provide an answer to all the needs we’ve mentioned and more. These systems can consolidate purchasing, inventory, sales, and financials across the supply chain, by taking old, outdated processes and transforming business to focus on bringing in more profit instead of fixing mistakes.
Here’s a closer look at some of the ways that ERP can automate businesses and increase profitability.
- Standardized Processes
With ERP systems, businesses have the opportunity to capture all the right data and have it organized and presented to them in an easy to access format, across multiple systems. This includes understanding inventory, creating new upsells, and even locating internal problems that need fixing. The new processes consider all required steps to complete tasks, and new, faster, and better ways to achieve them are used instead. These new, smarter ways of replacing the old, manual, and intensive methods, make room to cut down costs and grow profit.
You simply cannot achieve new levels of profitability in business without streamlined operations that work off of proven, standardized processes. An ERP system helps to identify those areas of the business that are optimal and those that need to change processes to meet that same level of efficiency. Through a set process, businesses can waste less, cut down on errors, and maintain set budgets.
- Better Control
One of the most significant benefits that businesses gain from automation tools is the ability to see into other areas of the business and gain better control of outcomes. Added visibility leads to quicker response times and a better sense of control over the business. Those once-siloed parts can now work together more effectively. With automation tools, whole teams can have a birdseye view of operations through notifications and automated reporting, and leaders can feel confident about quickly making critical business decisions.
As organizations gain more control over the outcomes of their business they will also see more opportunities for revenue and profits open up. Using real-time data analytics they can quickly address problems before they become larger and keep consistency at the forefront of everything they do.
- Fewer Chances for Human Error
Even the most highly-skilled and experienced employees can make errors from time to time. Whether those mistakes are minor or significant to operations is a risk most businesses would rather not take. With automation, the chances of a substantial loss happening due to a simple human error are significantly reduced. Automation tools ensure all steps being taken are proven and systemic and that they are happening in the quickest way possible without missing a beat.
ERP systems use connected technologies that create one central location where data and inputs happen in real-time to stop these errors from occurring. That means what happens in one place will happen everywhere else, too, both reducing manual inputs, overlap, or error slipping through the cracks. Not only will this eliminate the possibility of data mistakes and other issues, but it can bring departments in better sync with each other and help them to work more collaboratively on goals.
- Increased Customer Satisfaction
With better overall processes in place, businesses are able to provide higher-quality products and services to customers. Today, deliver optimal care across an entire customer’s journey is critical. Transparent supply chains that provide direct access to track product locations and can answer customer queries quickly are quickly becoming the standard.
ERP systems also integrate or include CRM systems, material resource planning, and product and service delivery functions. All of these connected insights serve the same ultimate goal: to eliminate unnecessary labor for staff and win customers for life.
Businesses of all stripes are looking to streamline processes and gain better insights into their operations today. If you are looking to accelerate your business, talk with one of our ERP consultants at (801) 642-0123 or by emailing info@nbs-us.com.
