Here we consider the strengths and limitations of a flexible ERP solution, and how to go about implementing such a system.
One of the key areas that causes problems for customers with regards to ERP integration is the level of flexibility, or lack of, that it affords to the business. Creating an adaptable and flexible ERP solution can be a difficult task because of the need for organised and efficient work practices. Working with a dynamics consultant will help you to understand the limitations of the software, recognise the strengths on which to focus, to achieve a balanced ERP solution tailored to fit your company’s needs. Here we will discuss these limitations, and give you directions toward recognising your business efficiency strengths.
Know The Limitations
It is vitally important to recognise that ERP solutions come in the form of software and are not as adaptable as one may imagine when reading software descriptions. There is, however, an ability to achieve a certain level of flexibility through either configuration or programming. Some pieces of ERP software are designed to allow configuration to fit the software to your specific needs.
Alternatively the software can be programmed to achieve specific roles and can thus be tailored more specifically to your needs. The software will not be able to mould around your business, however, so it is important to remember that the desired flexibility and adaptability needs to lie within your human resources rather than within the artificial intelligence.
Know Your Strengths
If we compare the strengths of Technology (Automation & Efficiency), Business Processes (Repeatability & Automation) and People (Flexibility, Adaptability & Decision-making), then it’s obvious where the responsibility for the flexibility of an ERP solution needs to lie. Dynamics consulting companies can help your business make the transition into a newer and more rigid system, whilst maintaining flexibility.
The benefit of Cloud ERP implementation is that third party management will require a level of standardisation which will improve business efficiency, but the adaptability of your staff will enable this to take place without stifling creativity and innovation. For this reason, ERP implementations should be considered as an enhancement of the value that the company offers, rather than a quick fix that will take place unnoticed by the staff.
Obtain A Balance
Flexibility and Adaptability are definite aspects of any ERP solution that should be sought after; but it is also very important to strike a balance between the unique business drivers at play. Other elements to consider are scalability, efficiency and effectiveness. If we consider these 5, italicised, key business drivers as the sides of a pentagonal table, and the ERP implementation program as a ball placed in the middle, it is easy to picture how too great an emphasis on any one side would unbalance the table, and cause the ‘ERP ball’ to be dropped.
Achieving an adaptable and flexible ERP solution requires the adaptability and flexibility of your company. Whilst software can be tailored to your specific needs, it is important not to rely too heavily on this and to focus on meeting the flexibility requirements through prudent human resource management.
Sachin is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics, including computer support.
2 Comments
Leave a Reply
Cancel reply
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Tony
February 17, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Hey, Sachin! Can you tell me, please, what’s the difference between Cloud ERP and VPS? This stuff is new to me and I can’t quite understand it.
trung tran
February 21, 2012 at 4:33 am
Your remarks on fuzzy logic al;so make me think of all the customers that focus on logo position in a document. It always make my jaw drop that these kind of things are brought into scope during an implementation. It’s a big alert to me on the road ahead, but also my trigger to step on the breaks really hard and make a point about priorities.