Saturday, December 19, 2020

Top reasons why ERP implementations fail and solutions provided by Expand smERP

 “Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be” – John Wooden 


Planning for an ERP implementation in the near future? Are you worried about rising costs? Are you unsure about what is the best-fit ERP software for your company? 


If these are the thoughts pondering on your mind right now, this article will bring you the solutions for every query that you have.


An ERP software implementation surely comes with a lot of challenges, even though its benefits are manifold. In the next few years, your business value will reach new heights and touch new shores of expansion, with a successful and best fit ERP software integration. With prior knowledge of the challenges and bottlenecks, you can be better prepared to counter any such obstacles with ease. 


  • Inaccurate Requirement Analysis:

ERP implementations in most cases fail because of inaccurate requirement analysis. One needs to know the difference when an ERP application is integrated with an e-commerce site and a POS software. However, in most companies requirement analysis is done by employees with limited knowledge of ERP implementation. Primary emphasis is laid upon the cost and faster execution. But unfortunately, the project fails in most cases as the requirement is not completely understood in the chaos of bargaining with the costs with the vendor. To have more clarity on ERP implementation, case to case differences, actual time and money to be invested, involving people with good knowledge on ERP is a must. Team Expand understands your business well with over 16 years of extensive market research and development in the industry. Our team understands and analyses the specific challenges and needs faced by your business and then curates the software accordingly. 

  • Inadequate  Training:

Following closely on the lines of the previous challenge discussed, lack of knowledge continues to be a hurdle for a successful ERP implementation. When your company is preparing for a major data transfer from the legacy system to a new ERP reality, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the changes that are taking place, the new interface, and risks or losses involved in the process. You may arrange for a brief knowledge transfer session for all employees or anybody who would be part of the new system, before the actual change takes place. Not an elaborate training program followed by a test, but a simple 45-minute session by the knowledgeable resources, for all to attend. Training videos of the same may also be circulated. Expand smERP offers complete training of users post implementation within 50 hours by trained technicians and constant support even after implementation.

 

Expand smERP encourages constant help and support of employees of any business. Post implementation, Expand Sure smile provides 24×7 customer support and user training for proper knowledge of the usage of the software. 

  • Inefficient Project Management:

You should have the right resources in your team for customer success. We need to understand their worth and utilize their full knowledge and potential for efficient project management. Trust them, mentor them, train them and let them come up with a full-proof project management plan that will not only ensure a successful ERP implementation but also derive desired ROI  for your business. Only with meticulous project management, one can achieve that, no amount of cost-cutting or package deals help. 

  • Customization:

ERP software is often misunderstood as a wholesale package solution for a company. But unfortunately, it is not. ERP applications are actually a framework with which a customized solution is built. This means, your requirements have to be defined well in advance and accordingly a customized ERP solution will be created. For that, you need to define the workflows and do a capability analysis, beforehand. You might have to make a few minor adjustments in the application solution to meet all your enterprise needs. These adjustments or modifications differ from suite to suite and might be required at the beginning or sometime in the middle of implementation. If you are prepared for capacity planning, delays in implementation and time loss because of system outage may be kept at bay. It is advisable to invest in a best-fit ERP software that suits all the unique needs of your business. A ‘one size fits all’ ERP system is most likely to fail. 

Expand smERP is a best fit ERP solution for mid-sized manufacturers in export and retail industries. It is industry-specific and fits in according to your specific business needs. ERP is known to grow along with your business. 

  • Rising Operational Expenses:

Overhead cost is one of the biggest challenges of ERP implementation. The initial cost of implementation is high, but the customization and maintenance costs are even higher. The more customization needs are, the higher are operating costs. Maintenance costs are of course a necessary evil, which cannot be brushed aside. However, with an efficient requirement analysis and resource planning, much of this cost may be brought under control. Sit with the best-qualified professionals in the organization to find out what you really need for enhancing your business value. Seek for features that will add value to your product or service, attract more business, and position you better as an entrepreneur. That way, you will get the true value for your best fit ERP solution without spending a huge amount. Expand smERP cloud software involves zero upfront costs. Only a concurrent user price is payable as per your usage. Investing in Expand smERP cloud software is a value for money solution that derives fast ROI.

These are certain generic challenges while implementing ERP software. Depending on the sector in which the company operates in, the extent of complications may vary. This will ensure the implementation process is smooth without any glitches. Team Expand assures you a hassle-free cloud ERP software integration experience with the utmost ease. Grow your business with Expand smart ERP cloud softwares.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Why a best fit ERP is essential for the food & beverage industry and how it helps faster growth


With over 16 years experience in the manufacturing sector, the most essential thing to note about working with such a wide range of companies is the fact that each industry is different, not only in their processes but also in what they look for in an ERP solution. The food and beverage industry is no different. I have highlighted the indispensable functional areas of the industry that need to be addressed in a food and beverage ERP solution.

 

Any manufacturing industry, regardless of size needs the help of technology to derive optimal growth and ROI. In order to survive the cut throat competition a best-fit ERP software is extremely essential.The Food and Beverage (F&B) business operations are complex, chaotic, hectic and very precise in nature. However, with the implementation of an ERP software for Food and Beverage Industry, all the complex processes within the business can be managed with ease. Today, cloud-based ERP software have become extremely popular among F&B businesses, as they enable business owners to acquire visibility, insight and control over their complete operations. A cloud-based Food and Beverage software also optimizes the production process, simplifies procurement as well as inventory management. Moreover, a cloud-based ERP for food industry comes with scalability and flexibility to the users so that they can expand and diversify their business as per their unique needs and is accessible remotely, anywhere anytime.

Expand smERP software is India’s best-fit ERP company for manufacturers in the export and retail industry. We have empowered several specialised industries like the food and beverage industry with an ERP software that has accelerated growth.

However, before you proceed with implementing an ERP for Food and Beverage Industry, there are certainly important factors to consider as enlisted below:

1. Identifying unique needs: 

A proper evaluation of your business by assessing your needs and processes so as to determine what exactly you need from an ERP software for Food and Beverage Industry. It is viable to begin by assessing the potential business challenges and individual pain points you need to take into consideration as well as determine the Return on Investment (ROI) your business expects to recover from the ERP. A meticulous need identification and process mapping done in the initial stages leads to an easier and faster ERP software Implementation.

2. Recipe Management:

The main area of focus for food and beverage ERP is recipe management. Each recipe ingredient not only impacts the taste of the product but also the nutritional value, a metric monitored strictly by numerous governmental regulatory agencies. Food and beverage ERP solutions hope to offer the following feature functions to aid in recipe management:

 

  • Version control of items such as batch sheets and recipes/formulas allows the manufacturer to strictly manage which version is to be used in production.

 

  • Formulation helps manage what ingredients are being used to create the end product. There might also be a requirement to calculate nutritional values that result from the formulation.

 

  • Alternate BOMs assist the manufacturer in quickly and efficiently identifying other raw materials that can be     

3. Search for Higher Mobility

As mobility and the concept of ‘Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD)’ has increased across industries, accessing ERP Systems from desktops alone is no longer an option. So, you need to choose an ERP Software Solution for Food and Beverage Industry that enables your users to be functional on smartphones and tablets, and at the same time ensuring that all the operational data is safe and secure.

4. Cheap Price Doesn’t equal to the  Best Quality ERP Software

Businesses should not choose an ERP Solution based solely on their reasonable price. Cost is also one of the important factors, but cheap ERP Systems typically lead to more potential issues later on, including the inability to adapt to meet new business demands, non-compatibility with 3rd Party Devices and Applications, etc. F&B businesses that follow these cautious steps are likely to end up having an ERP and that is apt for all their critical business needs.

5. Choose a best-fit ERP Software:

Businesses should carefully evaluate the number of modifications necessary to deploy ERP Software. Highly customized ERP Systems lead to higher costs, not only initially but also when upgrading. F&B Businesses with unique or complex requirements need to understand these considerations so as to eliminate steep cost curves. Moreover, customization will need a longer implementation time, longer ROI and more instability. Expand ERP software is Indian made for the Indian business and perfectly fits into your business-specific needs. It also assures an easy roll out within 28 days, online implementation. 

A robust and best ERP company in India ensures that your company runs efficiently consistently. Expand ERP software for Food and Beverage Industry will provide you with the ability to take control of your entire business and keep it running efficiently. Moreover, it will also help you build customer relations management while keeping your business in line with the required rules and regulations.


Our patron K.D.Liquors is a good example of how our ERP escalated the growth of their business while organising their operational functions and departments with precision and accuracy. They achieved their desired sales in less than a year of implementing Expand smERP software solutions


Thus, with over 16 years of market experience and research, Expand ERP software has proven to be India’s best-fit ERP software which perfectly fits into mid-sized manufacturers in export and retail industries. It is made in India, for the Indian business and therefore understands the market demands well. An ERP that is best compatible with your business will give you the best ROI. If it doesn’t fit, never force it. To know more about how our ERP software will smoothly fit into your business process, call us for a fitment test at +91 9007026542

Monday, December 7, 2020

Why SMEs should adopt Change Management with a best fit ERP software

The great philosopher Socrates once rightly said,

“ The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.” 

An effective change management is possible when a good idea is transformed into a great one. A systematic all-inclusive and best-fit ERP software can bring together all internal communication channels and integrate the business activities to optimize productivity and ROI.

By breaking outdated traditions and habits, you will not only create new opportunities for your business but also explore more scope to innovate.

Implementing a new management system might seem tedious but when it comes to your company’s growth and responsiveness, one should consider the change as necessary. Users need to be inspired to take on the change that the world has adopted in order to be sustainable in the competitive market.

For example, in the task of reorganizing a division in your company, shifting responsibilities, changing lines of authority and remodelling departmental goals are probably the most tangible tasks for your proposed change. These goals need to be supported by company data and made possible through existing management tools. An effective and best-fit ERP software makes such change management seamless, consolidated and effective.

To prove this statement we have a list of reasons that advocates the indispensability of ERP software in a growing business.

Expand smERP assures hassle-free ERP implementation:

The first challenge before taking this step of transition is to change the perspective of the people who have accepted themselves in a comfort zone. Pulling them out of this with a new mindset and convincing what is best for the growth of the organization is half the battle won. Traditional SMEs are not ready to change. They have the fear of the unknown. In the fret to adapt to new technology, they miss out on what wonders can be done by taking a small step towards the upliftment of the company.

Most employees in a traditional but growth-oriented organization worry about the environmental adjustments after the change takes place in the business. The concerns are justified. In this blog, we have enlisted the top reasons for SMEs who are just a step away from adopting an ERP implementation at their workplace but are contemplating fearing the change.

Expand smERP, one of the ERP software companies in India is India’s best fit ERP software for SMEs in the Retail and Export industry for the past 16  years. We understand your business needs as much as you do and therefore have curated a single robust best fit ERP system to aid you to enhance your business with ease. Our software is intuitive and intelligent and it grows along with your business.

Top reasons why Expand ERP is the best fit for the evolution of your organization:

  • Accuracy in information – All team members need access to accurate data and information which is imperative to support change management. All team members should have access to the same unified data. An ERP system provides a centralized source of information that all employees access to stay on top of the logistics of any company midsize or large scale. This optimises clarity and transparency among executives, management and team members and results in the better trust factor.
  • Accuracy in communication – For logistical purposes, accuracy in communication is imperative among team members. It is also essential to relay the intent of the change. Without an understanding of the goal from an internal change, the team will lack direction in their new positions and responsibilities. Along with this, each employee should be able to openly communicate with the people in the company who are responsible for the change. An ERP system facilitates this change and ensures free communication in between departments for transparency and accuracy of information among all employees and users.
  • Comprehensive business intelligence – ERP systems indicate where changes need to be made in the company with dynamic tools. Having access to business intelligence reports that involve the activities of all departments can reveal opportunities for process improvement and redistribution of responsibilities. Without a consolidated business management software, these opportunities for change only reveal when profitability is threatened. Well informed executives will have a greater opportunity for success than those driven by an urgent need to preserve the company.
  • Well protected data – Unprotected data is at high risk during internal change. It can be mistranslated, duplicated or simply lost. ERP software identifies immediately such data redundancies and manages to protect information and verify against existing records and is accessible within a protected space. With an ERP change management implementation is done outside of administrative concerns. 

Connecting your company with an ERP solution can support current change initiatives, while also revealing opportunities for future growth. With a best-fit ERP solution, change management will be effective, conducive, secured and productive.

  • We at Expand provide training by our Biztech experts for the first time users and are constantly available after-sales for service and support. With Expand Sure Smile be rest assured to share a smile with us after a successful ERP implementation within 28 days. Our team is available 24×7 for your support and help.  
  • Expand Sure Shield offers 100% data security where you can grow your business with complete peace of mind. Data is on the cloud, stored in multiple locations ensuring maximum safety with trusted technology platforms (Microsoft Azure, SQL Server). We provide 99.9% uptime and SSL (encrypted) Data Transmission. 
  • Further, the myth that an ERP implementation involves a huge cost and is unaffordable by SMEs is busted by our Freedom Pricing concept where you pay as you use. There is no huge investment in infrastructure as data is stored in the cloud. The concurrent user fees are based on subscription with an absolute unbelievably reasonable cost. The ROI on such a best-in-class technology is optimal. 
  • We believe that change is something that has to be brought in and does not occur on its own. The leaders in the organisation have to be inspired and inspiring enough to take on the challenge. Senior leaders in your organisation work as a catalyst to support the change and embody aspirations. The communication has to be clear and well in advance so that all employees can be mentally prepared and well assured of the changes that are going to occur.
  • Furthermore addressing fears and challenges of the employees have to be prioritised. An unhappy employee can act as a source of plague in the work environment resulting in disharmony and unsettled workforce. This can lead to failure in the ERP implementation and also the failure of your company. 
  • Changemakers can begin by comprehending the current work processes of the employees. Also what changes the employees need to make after ERP software implementation is also a concern that project leaders must-have.

The desire to make the shift needs to be instilled with logic and reasoning with time in hand in order to make the change successful. A very crucial factor for proper change management is emotional intelligence. People will only accept persuasion when they find the approach to be empathetic. The correct balance needs to be struck between competency & ambiguity. 

Adopt Expand smERP software, one of the best ERP software companies in India, for a hassle-free and easy betterment of your organization. Book a free trial today to make the change happen fast.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Top reasons why selling online with ERP software is best for your organization

People don’t care about your business, they care about their problems. Be the solution that they are looking for.” – Melanie Dodaro


E-Commerce has seen a growth equivalent of 10 years in a span of 3 months. The recent pandemic situation has escalated e-Commerce business immensely.

Are you prepared to handle this kind of a demand?

You’re probably not, if you still have not integrated your eCommerce channels (Magento, Shopify, Amazon etc.) and your ERP system. In this post, we’ll talk about why companies shouldn’t forgo e-Commerce ERP integration needed to truly optimize sales.

Here’s why you should Integrate your e-Commerce and ERP

The need for eCommerce ERP integration is usually overlooked because of the high investment cost or the business disruption caused by having to change existing systems. This is an outdated perception as the costs become worth it when you see the impact on your operations and customer experience.

When we use the term eCommerce in this article, we’re talking about any channel that allows you to make online sales. This could even be your webstore run by Magento, Amazon or Shopify. ERP refers to a single robust system that helps you manage your business data or back-office operations with ease.

Integrating your eCommerce sales channels with your ERP system allows you to operate more efficiently as a business. Your main types of data – order, inventory, item, customer, and shipping/tracking – are communicated in between independent systems.

Most integrations automatically pass this data between your systems. This eliminates your need to manually enter data from one system to another. While a webstore can certainly operate without connections to an ERP, how many tedious practices do you do now that you wish you could get rid of?

Manual practices such as hand-keying sales orders into your ERP. It’s cohesive to update product information in Excel then uploading to your web store or Amazon. Relying on decimating inventory across your systems by hand, or not being able to do it all, can cause you to oversell.

When these processes aren’t automated, it’s easy to make mistakes. Shipping addresses can be entered wrong. Incorrect inventory levels can lead to overselling. Product information could be incomplete, incorrect, or missing.

Further, your customer experience is at stake, when you don’t integrate.

If you want to be successful in the eCommerce business it is imperative to keep up with increased online demand. Therefore your eCommerce strategy should include integration to your best-fit ERP software.

eCommerce ERP integration allows you to easily receive new orders and fulfill them, regardless of where the sale is made. Products and pricing can be managed from one place, allowing you to have accurate and consistent product information.

Benefits of eCommerce ERP Integration

  • Reduces manual entry to save time and increases throughout while reducing errors, when entering order, inventory, item, customer and shipping data

  1. Streamlines inventory synchronization, tracks updates, and provides accurate inventory levels to customers, without hiring staff to manage these tasks

  2. Automatically notifies customers when orders have been shipped and allows them to track the delivery of products

  3. Simplifies how you manage price and product changes to inventory

  4. Be flexible enough to add multiple online (webstores and marketplaces) and offline (brick & mortar) sales channels, without losing operational efficiency.

  5. Meets tax requirements with automated tax compliances.

  6. Handles increased demand in online orders without extra resources.

A Customised or best-fit eCommerce ERP Integration is what you need

It’s always possible to build your own custom integration between your online sales channels and your backend systems. To do so, you would need to work with the application program interfaces (APIs) available for your systems.  Your data needs to flow between your systems.

Therefore, customer integration can be complex and expensive. Customisation is usually the best approach for organizations who have the right resources and specific requirements to justify it. Most businesses though are probably not truly unique enough to really need to build this type of integration from scratch.

The best way to achieve eCommerce ERP integration is to use a multichannel management platform. This type of technology is usually cloud-based and provides a platform that sits as an operational hub between your ERP and eCommerce systems. Your main types of data are then synchronized between your systems.

Expand smERP is India’s best-fit ERP software for mid-sized manufacturers in retail industry. We offer the best-in-class technology for growth-oriented manufacturers who wish to take their companies to the next level. We provide an in-house selling portal where the users can sell smartly directly or indirectly via Virtual Distribution Network through distributors. With Expand Lead Management module, turning prospective leads into customers becomes a cakewalk. This feature is available on the ERP software and as a mobile App for Android users using Expand smERP software. The mobile Apps allows lead management remotely and enhances speed and customer experience. We also have ready integrations with Amazon, Shopify and Magento for selling wisely online through multi-channel locations. Reap the benefits of a best-fit ERP solution along with eCommerce software in a single unified system. 

Book a free trial at +91 9007026542

Friday, November 13, 2020

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by enterprises in terms of adopting the ‘new normal’

 “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”

– Christian Louis Lange

Like any situation in life comes with pros and cons, adopting to digitisation has its own share of threats to entrepreneurs.
Similar to any other space in life, technology has its own benefits and challenges. While it enhances a man’s life in almost all the aspects whether its health care, transport, communication, smart cities etc. There are myriad challenges which we also need to keep in mind to not turn technology into our own enemy.
Amongst the most challenging threats of technology, cybercrime tops the list where danger is concerned.
Cybercriminals have always abused technology and control devices for propelling cyber-crimes such as frauds and thefts. With technology protocols, still being developed and evolving at a gradual pace, it is very difficult to avoid such cyber-attacks. IoT plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology in India. With IoT now becoming the backbone of various ventures, firms, organizations and even basic ways of living, it is worrying that the Indian Government has no dedicated law for IoT and some kind of guidance can be referred from the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000). The Digital India initiative is driving our country towards a digitized life where the existence will highly depend on elements like cloud computing, 5G in telecom, e-Commerce etc. it is imperative to keep a check on loose ends.

What is cyberspace?

Cyberspace is an electronic world created by interconnected networks of information technology and the information on those networks.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity or information technology security is the techniques of protecting computers, networks, programs and data from unauthorized access or attacks that are aimed for exploitation.

Few challenges that  technology faces in cybersecurity are the following:

  • Digital Data theft Threat: The growing online transactions generate bigger incentives for cybercriminals. Besides, establishments looking to mine data—for instance, customer information, results of product surveys, and generic market information—create treasured intellectual property that is in itself an attractive target.
  • Supply Chain Inter-connection: The supply chains are increasingly interconnected. Companies are urging vendors and customers to join their networks. This makes a company’s security wall thin.
  • Hacking: This action is penetrating into someone’s system in an unauthorized fashion to steal or destroy data, which has grown hundred fold in the past few years. The availability of information online makes it easier for even non-technical people to perform hacking.
  • Phishing: The easiest to execute and produce the results with very little effort. It is the practice of sending out fake emails, text messages and creating websites to look like they’re from authentic companies. Phishing is a major threat that can lead to fraud.

Solutions provided by Expand smERP  – India’s best-fit ERP software for growth-oriented MSMEs who are looking at running their business completely online.

These challenges can be under surveillance and methodical steps can be taken to avoid such malpractices. To solve the data theft problem, online space must regulate the use of data and clearly indicate when the information will be shared provided by the users. The user can then choose to opt-out, leaving personal information restricted to space for which it was deliberated.

When any software online contains bugs or viruses, it is fairly easy for cybercriminals to gain personal information. Large technology firms should collaborate and create solutions to increase security for their customers. Security controls need to move outward, beginning at the application level where such frauds can be caught easily by an ERP software. When there are no unified monitoring methods, firms become vulnerable. However, when every network has monitoring that detects changes, data can be protected.

With cloud ERP  hovering our lives with all our data it is imperative to protect our cloud space. With growing technology, the growth of cybercrime is evident but measures taken early and effectively can avoid cyber mishaps both big and small. Expand ERP software is perfectly equipped to counter such threats and protect your business from cybercrime.

Cyber threats

Cyber threats can be disaggregated, based on the perpetrators and their motives, into four: cyber espionage, cyber warfare, cyberterrorism, and cybercrime

 

  • Cyber espionage: Intelligence gathering and data theft. Examples of this were Titan Rain and Moonlight Maze
  • Cyberwarfare: It involves the actions by a nation-state or international organization to attack and attempt to damage another nation’s computers or information networks.
  • Cyber terrorism: It is a premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which results in violence
  • Cybercrime: It is any criminal activity that involves a computer, networked device or a network

Besides Technology other means of stopping such cybercrime are:

  • Human resource: Immediate attention has to be given to human resource development which would increase the number of experts who can effectively manage the cybersecurity of the country
  • R&D: Investments should be made on R&D to develop more innovative technologies to address increasing cybersecurity threats
  • Policy and Governance: It is important to bring a robust policy and effectively implement the same. Further, duties and responsibilities should be defined clearly for smooth functioning and better coordination among departments and stakeholders
  • Awareness: A periodic awareness campaign by the government and big private organizations should be conducted to aware people about cybersecurity threats
  • Strengthening Private Partnership: It is important to strengthen the public-private partnership on cybersecurity. It is important to define minimum security features for the hardware and software to be deployed in the government ecosystem.

There is an urgent need to build capabilities and capacity for application, equipment and infrastructure testing through the deployment lifecycle to detect any vulnerability and backdoors in the product/technology. Security Operations Centre should be developed for the government organizations with capabilities to detect, respond and recover from any breaches and attacks.


Expand smERP offers Expand SureShield where you can enjoy 100% data security and grow your business with complete peace of mind. Data is on the cloud, stored in multiple locations ensuring maximum safety with trusted technology platforms (Microsoft Azure, SQL Server). We provide 99.9% uptime and SSL (encrypted) Data Transmission.


Expand smERP software is well aware of all the challenges faced by entrepreneurs while digitisation and promises to support and back up for any such crime that may take place in your company. We promise innovation with integration and intelligence.


Book a free trial with us, call now at +91 9007026542

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Top 10 features of a best fit ERP solution for the Automotive Industry

In order to remain or become a strong player in the automobile industry it is crucial to have a streamlined consolidated business. A best-fit Enterprise Resource Planning system can help achieve this goal and redefine the success path of your company. ERP system implementations for automobile industry into business processes overcome inevitable industrial challenges such as high-quality customer service, vendor, inventory and delivery management, marketing and labour efficiency. Such systems provide specialized companies with a comprehensive set of features which serve to track and analyze current policymaking, make reasonable changes and control the work of all departments.

Our patron Mr. Ramanuja, is the owner of a growing automobile company in Chennai. He is aware of the challenges faced on a daily basis in such a complex manufacturing sector. He started his career 15 years ago with limited resources but has eventually realised that without digitally integrating your business it will never reach desired goals. Our biz tech team analysed his specific needs and implemented the best fit ERP software specifically designed for the automotive industry. Today Mr Ramanuja is a successful entrepreneur who believes in technology and that growth is impossible without bringing in necessary changes. The ERP software has reduced the burden of daily operational challenges and allows his team to focus on growth.

ERP features and functions in the automotive industry

 

Automobile manufacturers meet the challenges of constantly developing the market where they should create scope for innovation with intelligence and bring to life innovative products, reduce costs, be environmentally friendly. ERP systems are curated to synchronize production processes of all the stages and provide departments with an adequate information realm.


A best-fit ERP software will drive maximum ROI with features like:


  • Quality control management – it is convenient to track product and customer service quality in real-time, notice occurring problems and correct them timely ensuring in such a way high-quality standards of automobiles and customer relations are maintained.
  • Inventory management – allows coping with relevant operations giving a platform for efficient inventory planning.
  • Electronic document database – all documentation work is sorted and there is no need to maintain spreadsheets and files.
  • Finance management system – all financial and accounting data are sorted in one place available in real-time As a result, financial information is managed more effectively.
  • Human resource management -reduces time spent on administrative work as it provides companies with specific modules dedicated to employee contact information, performance evaluation, working hours and duties, etc.
  • Service management- controls after-sale support of clients sorting their latest demands and requirements and tracking timely service.
  • Order management system – customers’ orders are visible which gives an opportunity to analyze purchasing history and be prepared for the succeeding contacts with a client.
  • Sales management – sales and marketing activities are conducted methodically and automotive businesses can take measures promptly to improve sales effectiveness to increase growth.
  • Automobile maintenance – gives a full insight on equipment state.
  • Integration with communication channels- helps to keep in touch with clients and colleagues and maintain a cordial customer relationship

Benefits of the best ERP software implementation :

Enterprise Resource Planning systems make it possible to integrate internal and external processes which is a necessary component of a successful automobile business. Top-managers and heads of departments get accurate information daily and are able to:

 

  • Create one information flow for the working team

  • Execute proactive policy without vendors’ and clients’ references

  • Reduce production costs, improve product and customer service quality and increase pay-offs simultaneously

  • Keep under control activities and efficiency performance of all departments wherever they are located

  • Make much more considered business decisions basing them on accurate analytical data

  • Analyze financial parameters instead of controlling whether all of them are added.

Expand smERP software is the best-fit Indian cloud ERP software for mid-sized manufacturers in export and retail industry. It is fully consolidated robust software that manages your inventory with accuracy, diligence and ease within the frame of a single centralized system. The unique features of the automotive industry allow you to run your business completely online with ease from anywhere. Expand smERP provides innovation with integration and intelligence in a single centralized system. Update your organization to our best-fit ERP software on cloud platforms and give your dreams the wings to soar high. 


To book a free trial call 9007026542

Friday, October 9, 2020

How a best fit ERP can enhance business productivity while reducing manual labour

“Our assets walk out of the door each evening. We have to make sure that they come back the next morning.” – Narayan Murthy

I would give more than half credit to the customers for the success of your business, as without buyers your business is stagnant. However, a considerable percentile of the success also depends on your team of manforce especially if you are in the service or hand skilled industry. Without your workers your business means nothing. It is never possible to grow single handedly. It is certainly the result of good leadership and harmonious teamwork that a company reaches its goals.

As an entrepreneur, it is your prime focus to nurture and train a whole crew of skilled, honest, loyal and efficient workers, who in return will bring to you productivity and growth. To drive optimal efficiency and productivity, your workers need to be freed from the burden of daily operational activities. The intelligent use of Technology plays a vital role in the process.A robust, consolidated, conducive ERP software which fits best to the needs of your business uniquely, will act as a catalyst to success and growth.

An organization big or small is divided into several departments based on functions. Administration, finance, marketingsales, customer service, public relations, inventory, logistics, production, HR, exports are some of the departments. In the conventional business process, each department functioned as watertight compartments with inadequate interaction between them on a real time basis. Each information or data had to be fetched from the relevant department either through phone, email or messaging. Apart from being time consuming and cumbersome, it will also lead to duplication of data. With the introduction of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), business processes became easier enabling integration of various functions within the organization and availability of data on real-time basis helping in quick decision making.

Features of ERP that help a company improve the productivity of the workers:

  1. Centralised systems: In government administration and planning, decentralization may be good in certain situations where there should be intelligence about the needs and requirements at the local panchayat level. In business, if information flow is decentralized, the decision makers will have no idea of the whole picture at any point of time. There will be a time lag –fetching information by email, letters or phone. In a competitive industry, it can impact the firm’s  growth prospects as they can’t respond fast to changing market conditions and consumer demand. With the use of an ERP the reports and analysis of the company can be viewed with a single unified system.

  2. Share a central database: In an organization there are several types of data, consumer data, employee data, production data, inventory data, financial data. All companies use databases to create, store and manage data. Advanced ERP systems can work any database, any platform and with any operating system. Some databases are inter-related- for eg. employee data is shared by HR, Finance and administration but in ERP systems each division doesn’t maintain a list of employees but fetches it from the HR Department. Therefore, duplication of data is avoided. Central database enables economizing on database maintenance costs.

  3. It is user-friendly: Enterprise Resource Planning is not a sophisticated system that is only for programmers, managers, decision makers or techies in an organization. The system recognizes the importance of the most junior employee and they have a role as end users. They are the people who input data- for eg. in the sales department, the sales clerk inputs customer data such as name, email id, age, address, mobile number and purchase details to create sales order and subsequently the invoice. The company also needs the help of functional consultants who understands the various business processes with an organization – such as Finance, HR, Accounting, Inventory and help in the development of modules. They define the requirements, parameters and what all types of data, type of permissions required. 

  4. Customizable and adaptable: ERP system is not a software solution that makes the organization adapt its business processes to conform to its system but can be customized to the requirements of the company irrespective of the operating systems, database systems being used. ERP solutions are not for large organizations alone. It is now available for small and medium businesses too. Morever, ERP systems can be implemented in a modular fashion which means huge upfront costs need not be incurred by an organization if it has financial constraints. Implementation is at the core of ERP solutions and the success lies in understanding of the business processes that is usually done by functional consultants either available in-house or outsourced. When the requirements of the firm, software, servers integration doesn’t match, it is said that there are gaps in implementation which are addressed by the technical consultants. 

  5. Advantage of the cloud and mobility: Many companies find implementation of ERP on site to be expensive, taking more space and integration within the organization. Luckily, there are cloud service providers who enable full or partial storage of data, software and the platform to run it. This enables companies who have critical data that needs to be secure to be held in their own servers while getting more generic work done in the cloud platform. ERP systems are also deployable on the mobile, so that salesmen, marketing executives can update information in real time enabling quicker response from the decision makers in the corporate headquarters. With cloud has emerged Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as–a–service (PaaS) and several pay-per-use packages which has drastically reduced implementation time required in the traditional on-site models and drastically cut costs of ERP implementation.

  6. All stakeholders feel the difference with ERP: The use of ERP systems not only benefits the employees and the organization but also the consumers.  These days, organisations value customer loyalty and most often they just need to tell their mobile number to get loyalty bonus, get billed quicker at the retail store and stay informed about discounts and offers of the company. It is a win-win situation for both the customer and the company. Those not requiring a printed bill are delivered an e-bill in real time thanks to ERP systems. A bank customer gets money any time of the day or is able to deposit money at cash deposit machines 24/7 because of a third party payment gateway integrated with your ERP. In an ERP led hospital, you need not carry your previous records with you every time as they are all saved in the patient database.It is impossible to function orderly without ERP software in today’s times.

  7. Improves efficiency across departments: As ERP integrates each department into a central database, finance, marketing, manufacturing and inventory control improves. Data comes from sales, finance, and various business units with different sets of numbers, ERP integrates them giving a snapshot for the CEO to assess. Reporting formats and procedures can be custom made for each organization enabling collaboration and discussion between departments. Manufacturing processes can be streamlined using automation features of ERP, inventory control is better through the centralized system and the customer is taken care of in the entire life-cycle of the product – whether it is five years or seven years.

  8. ERP is known to give positive ROI in a year: The implementation of ERP may take one to three years in a conventional scenario but with Cloud computing  the time frame has come down. According to surveys, companies which were focussed on return on investment (ROI) at the beginning of the ERP implementation could see significant results happening after a year. It could be in the form of cost reductions, quality improvements, customer satisfaction, reduced employee count, redeployment, and improved market share.

Thus, by looking into all the daily operational processes, a best-fit ERP software manages your company efficiently and accurately making it possible to achieve desired goals. The skilled workers of your team can easily focus on further sensitive and analytic issues regarding the growth of the company.

Expand smERP software is India’s best-fit ERP software for mid-sized manufacturers in export and retail industry. We believe to drive innovation with intelligence and integration. Our software helps you plan, produce, promote and sell smartly within half the time frame that would be required otherwise. The ERP software thus enhances the productivity of your workers by minimising redundant, unnecessary manual work. 

To book a free trial contact us at: 9007026542