How to Select an ERP for Small Business?
An ERP solution is, undoubtedly one of the most profitable and productive platforms that an organization can invest in. There has been a misconception till now that ERP is meant for large sized organizations only. But, with technology advancing at a rapid pace, it no longer holds true. Custom ERP for small business is turning out very beneficial for small scale organizations. Of course, there are numerous factors that play an important role is deciding the fate of the ERP implementation. Together, the technology, the product and the business combine to impact the efficiency and success level of the ERP solution.
In the modern era of business landscaping, no business is too small for an ERP solution. Small business ERPs facilitate organizations to operate as if they are on an enterprise level. ERP acts as a perfect tool that empowers small sized organizations with the much-needed competencies for enhanced integration and synchronization of functions into the mainstream business functionalities.
“A good ERP is more than just good software. It involves an institutional commitment to connecting people, processes and resources.” – James Young
Key Benefits of Small Business ERP Software
- Timely and Accurate Decision Making
Because the small business ERP systems offer real-time information, it can be leveraged for different departments like marketing, accounts, management and sales in making decisions that are timely, accurate and profitable. With the ERP, stakeholders can predict and extract the possible risk areas that could hamper the business growth.
- Enhanced Productivity and Growth
Since the business processes get modernized with ERP systems, users can afford to completely focus on increasing business growth. This leads to lesser challenges, more business growth and augmented productivity.
- Transparency in Data Sharing
Organizational business information can be shared within all relevant departments with implementation of an ERP solution. There is then, no requirement to export data to other departments. This showcases a solution with minimal problems, enhanced productivity and profitability.
95% of businesses experienced an improvement in their processes after implementing an ERP system
10 Key Tips to Select and Ensure the Best ERP for Small Business
- Choose the Right ERP Solution Partner for Your Needs
There are many ERP solutions across the globe. But more than that, what is important is how good is your service provider and what best can you get from the service company? Since your business is small scaled, it is important to analyse vendors who cater to small scaled businesses rather than going in for big names. Also, check if all your business needs are properly understood by the solution partner and how are they planning to implement them in the ERP.
- Ensure Modular and Comprehensive Coverage in the ERP
For the best of success in any ERP solution, it is essential to have a modular and comprehensive approach while selecting the ERP solution, with respect to exposure and scope of work. The modularity approach assures the business about covering all business modules that are involved in the organization.
- Analyse Business and Infrastructure Parameters in Advance
Once a decision of implementing an ERP is taken, the very first step should be to analyse and come up with a detailed coverage of different parameters – business and infrastructure. For e.g., how many departments are there in the business unit? How effective is the cost effectiveness?
- Decide on Stage Wise, Department Wise Implementation
For a small sized business, the cost factor is of prime importance. Taking all of it together could lead to a cost overhead. Hence, small units should work upon ERP solutions for small business, stage wise, department wise. Once it gets successfully implemented in the single unit, it can be duplicated to other units and this way, the entire business unit can be covered.
- Chalk Out A Thought-out Plan for Your Business
If your business vision is clear and your action plan is set, there is no looking back. Prior to choosing your ERP solution, it is advisable to have worked upon an organizational business plan so that it aligns well with the future steps. You can very well, analyse your infrastructure and software needs and go accordingly.
- Study Your Existing Systems and Technologies in Detail
Prior to choosing your ERP system, jot down all the challenges that you are facing, the current infrastructure, legacy systems, technologies etc., so that you can then work upon intricate details to create an integration between the systems and the ERP solution.
- Lead Management
Most small scaled organizations offer a lot of efforts, time and money in generating leads. Hence, it is important that the ERP system offers advanced procedures that can manage leads centrally and in a cost-effective manner.
- Choose the Deployment Platform – Local, Cloud, Hybrid
This is a very important parameter to be thought of, prior to implementing ERP. Based on your business needs and budget allocation, you can decide to have an on-premise, public cloud, private cloud or hybrid deployment mechanism. Each one has its own set of pros and cons. The decision entirely depends upon the organizational needs.
- Decide if You Need A Mobility Driven ERP
The trend today is towards mobile ERP solutions. Decide if you need an ERP which can operate seamlessly on a local platform, the web and the mobile – all of it. Just in case there aren’t any mobile related needs as of now, they can crop up anytime in the future. It is always better to foresee the needs of tomorrow while making such a big decision.
- Ensure Scalability of the ERP System
Today, you are a small scaled business, but tomorrow, you could expand and that is when your ERP system should be scalable enough to encompass your business requirements into a newer version. Don’t have very rigid boundaries to your solution. Ensure a level of flexibility that can be fitted in, once there are increased business workflows.
The very fact that ERP for small business is surely a beneficial investment for the organization, is a known thing now. Genial Light ERP (Genial LERP) is lighter version of ERP system for small businesses, which enables organizations to take technological advantages in their business. It is available on cloud as well as on premises under package solutions. This solution helps small businesses to manage procurement, sales, inventory management and financial processes
