Fundamentally, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software is a simple solution to an all-too-familiar problem. Often, the various core business functions within an organization are (or become) detached from each other. For example, the software used to process and track expenses not integrating with the payroll system, the warehouse management system not integrating with the accounting system, or the inventory planning system not integrating with manufacturing, etc. This is not a novel problem; most business built, bought and modified solutions to meet their needs at that time. Then one day the problem becomes clear: when your systems don’t talk to each other, you become very inefficient and your decision-making abilities suffer.
When your systems are not integrated, your information is not timely and its accuracy is almost always in question. When your systems don’t communicate, you are paying staff to redo things that have already been done which is both costly and error prone.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the process of bringing together all the core business functions of your business into one unified, accessible system. It eliminates double-entry, speeds up reporting, increases accuracy, aids planning and collaboration, removes excuses and facilitates better decision making. The entire organization can access key information ranging from sales to manufacturing to warehousing to HR to marketing, all from a common, secure, permission-based user interface. In other words, everything you need to know about your business is accessible instantly.
