Return on investment (ROI) is a key metric for businesses in almost any industry. However, it isn’t always easy to measure the ROI of a company’s technology. Many businesses can feel like their software has a negative return on investment, especially when they first implement it. If you feel like your company’s ERP system isn’t giving you a positive return on investment, there are several ways you can improve your ROI with an ERP system.
The first step to maximizing your ERP system is to make sure you have the right system in your business in the first place. Most businesses should consider purchasing or updating their current ERP system if they have been using their current system for at least three years or if they have hit their system’s limitations. If the system you currently use isn’t right for your business, you won’t be able to maximize its benefits. If you are considering purchasing or updating your current system, ask yourself why your current system isn’t working for you. What functionality is missing? What functionality is too complicated? Are you able to scale your system to match your company’s growth?
Choosing the right ERP for your business is about finding a good fit for your needs. To do this, you’ll need to consider your current business needs as well as your future needs. When it comes to choosing the right ERP for your business, there are several factors to consider.
Cost
Consider how much each system will cost you. You will likely have to pay a one-time fee to purchase the system as well as a monthly or annual fee to keep the system up and running. Some systems will have a higher initial cost than others, but some systems may also offer additional features that will save you money in the long run.
Company Size
Some ERPs are designed for use by very large companies, while others are tailored toward smaller companies. When you choose an ERP, keep in mind the size of your business so that the system can scale to match your company’s growth.
Business Requirements
An ERP system will be designed to fulfill certain business functions. What business functions are most important to your company? If you can find an ERP that offers the functions that you need, you’ll be ahead of the game.
When choosing an ERP for your business, ask yourself these questions to determine which functionalities will help your investment pay off. What functionality will reduce your business costs? What functionality will increase your revenue? What functionality will improve customer satisfaction? There are several ERP functionalities that can increase revenue.
These include:
Automating processes
Streamlining workflows
Reducing manual tasks
Integrating with other systems
Decreasing errors and ensuring consistency across the organization can all have a positive impact on revenue. By automating processes, maintaining accurate records, and reducing errors, companies can get more value out of their resources and save money in the long run. Furthermore, by streamlining workflows and eliminating manual tasks, employees can focus more on the job at hand and deliver better results. And by integrating with other systems, companies can gain access to additional data and analytics to help make better decisions. All of these benefits can lead to increased revenue, in turn increasing profits.
When you choose an ERP service provider, you are signing a long-term contract. You will likely sign a three- to a five-year contract with the expectation that the system will last longer than that. You need to make sure that your business will be able to last with one system for that long. Before signing a contract, look for a company that offers excellent customer service and support. You want a company that is responsive as well as knowledgeable about its system. Be sure to talk to former customers to get an idea of the quality of the service that you can expect. In addition to excellent customer service, you should also look for a company that can help you maximize your ERP system. Some companies can help you to implement a system from scratch, while others can only help you to upgrade your existing system. Find out which option will work best for your business.