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.