Some Tips For Choosing The Right Web-Based ERP Software

Posted by | Posted on 1:32 AM

By Jim Diaz

A Enterprise Resource Planning System manages the information and functions of any business or organization from a shared database. It helps information throughout a company to flow seamlessly and information to be available at any time regarding the core functions of the organization. When an organization is going to make the investment in a web-based ERP software system, it will be important that the proper research and data is collected to make the final decision one that will increase the function and growth of the organization.

ERP software programs have a broad range of functions and choosing the system that will be most effective for your specific needs may be difficult. The program that is selected must have the flexibility to be adapted to the unique characteristics and processes of the business and have a history of successful implementation in other industries such as yours. Some businesses will not need an ERP that has features that allow for multi-language, multi-currency, and global transaction analysis. However, if your company has, or will, need these features the software you choose must have the ability to meet those needs.

In order to choose the most effective ERP system for your business, developing detailed dossiers on each of the vendors you are considering will be an important step. It is important to know what functions and processes the provider focuses on or has grown their business around. For instance, one ERP began their business working in the human resources field and has grown to be world renowned for the ability of their software to compile, track and process every aspect of the human resources field.

This system is not effective with other core functions, but if your need if for the broad spectrum of the human resource field, this is a program that would be valuable. Other ERP systems have been built with a focus on other core functions such as manufacturing, tracking, finance, etc. Making sure that the core functions you want to address are included in the ERP system will help you to find those providers that will be able to meet your needs.

Besides identifying the problems in the core functions that need to be addressed, such as finance, HR, manufacturing, it will be important to develop details on the current processes in those areas. The way that you do things in your business, those unique characteristics of your companies processing methods must be identified and provided to the providers that you are considering so that they can gauge their ability to meet your needs.

Another consideration in selecting the ERP software will be the corporate culture and management within the business. If a CEO is very hands on and wants details about what is happening in the departments of the company, an ERP that is limited to providing big picture transaction reports will be very frustrating.

When the field of providers have been narrowed down to four or fewer, having an onsite demonstration that lasts for several days will help you to test the system and validate its effectiveness. During this time it will be important that both the staff that will be working with the software be given an opportunity to work on the system but the IS staff also be provided time to learn about the software.

After spending time evaluating the web-based ERP software systems presented, spending some time assuring that the long term commitment required from leadership will be met, will be the final step in assuring that the right system has been selected.

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