The Buyer's Guide

What Is ERP?
Why Do Businesses Need It?

ERP has evolved immensely during the past decade, which makes it more accessible to companies of all sizes across different industries. Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP is a process of using technology to connect all departments and functions within an organization into a unified system and enable data flow between them. An ERP software is designed to automate the sharing of information, avoid the duplication of data, provide data integrity and facilitate informed decision taking. All-in-all, it is an advanced technology enabled system that serves each department's specific needs, while making business management a hassle-free affair. An ERP system could be ineffective unless carefully implemented. Improper implementation can also lead to failure rather than profit for businesses. Successful ERP implementation is one of the key factors in getting quick ROI.

How it works

How Does An ERP System Work?

The intrinsic characteristic of any ERP program at its most basic level is to combine complex functions conducted in multiple departments into one framework. ERP systems streamline business processes and information across the entire organization, remove barriers that existed between departments and make corporate data easily accessible. In addition to providing department-wise synchronization, ERP software also automates and simplifies daily business processes.

ERP systems also include multiple modules, each of which is typically designed to focus on maintaining workflow of a specific business area. Unlike standalone business management systems in which information is manually entered to generate consolidated reports, an ERP solution allows employees to generate any report automatically from a single system, without any additional effort. Other ERP offerings include interactive dashboards to help the staff easily and swiftly understand business performance based on key metrics, in a single glance

Boost business efficiency

What Does An ERP System Do?

The main purpose of implementing an ERP system is to boost business efficiency and profits through proper utilization of resources and human capital. Whether it is time, capital, personnel or any other aspect, if you can minimize the materials and other resources that are being used, without sacrificing quality or efficiency, then your business would witness growth more quickly and sustain it with ease.

ERP software is a powerful tool to help businesses control their finance, human capital, sales, production, and other business areas. It incorporates reports and metrics from multiple departments and makes them accessible on a single platform. This makes it easier for businesses to get a complete overview of all departmental processes and resources that are being used. The management can use the key insights to enhance the quality of decision making and improve resource planning, a much-needed trait for a business to generate higher growth and good returns.

In comparison, the lack of an ERP system leads to imbalanced resource planning and improper distribution, resulting in underperformance and failure.

Key Benefits

Key benefits of ERP systems

In today's complex business world, it is quite impossible to ignore the impact of an ERP system.
Because all organizational data and processes are managed through ERP systems, enterprises can
integrate different departments and improve the overall workflow, resulting in significant savings.
Improved operational efficiency
by improving information sharing across the business functions
01
Get better business insights
with reports generated through real-time data
02
Reduce operational costs
with streamlined business processes and a defined allocation of resources
03
Consistent user interface
with the same look and feel of the software for both back and front office activitiee
04
More controlled business
with advanced operations tracking and management features
05
Enhanced data security
with multiple level access permission and controls
07
High adoption rates
with intuitive software architecture and exceptional user experience
06

Types Of ERP

Types Of ERP Systems

Based on the size of the organization, the industry it is used in and the
technology it uses, ERP systems are broadly categorized into three types.

ERP for Small Business

While ERP systems can manage any business operation, the requirements of a large enterprise and a small or medium-sized enterprise are never the same, even if they belong to the same industry vertical. ERP for small businesses are applications that are scaled-down models designed with fewer or only relevant features and are more cost-effective.

On-Premise or Cloud ERP

Traditional ERP systems require physical servers and hardware installation on a company's premises. Unlike these, in cloud-hosted or web-based deployment models, the program is hosted on remote servers, making the information stored in it more accessible to users. Employees can freely use the ERP systems from anywhere and on any device that has an internet connection.

Industry Specific ERP

Unlike one-size-fits-all, the latest ERP systems are tailored with functionalities to support the organization's specific, unique needs. These ERP applications ensure quick business process optimization and quicker adaptation to changing market demands.

RIGHT ERP

ERP Models
All In One place

With the right ERP systems in place, users have access to accurate business information, which enables them to make quicker decisions, eliminate redundant processes and lower the overall operating cost. Businesses can choose the implementation methods of their ERP software according to their specific organizational requirements. It is divided into three different modes: cloud, on-premise and hybrid.

The cloud ERP systems can be either private or public. The online IT resources are made available through public cloud ERP systems by external service providers. Companies using the service would only have to pay the fee for the resources used. In private cloud ERP systems, IT resources are owned by the organization and can be accessed only by its employees. Both provide excellent means for quick ERP deployment, with cost advantages.

On-premise ERP systems run applications on servers that are set up in the organization's premises. Companies using an on-premise ERP solution have direct control on the operations and maintenance of servers and storage. This requires higher investments in terms of expenses and resources spent on their upkeep.

A hybrid ERP is a combination of both cloud and on-premise systems. Organizations using a hybrid ERP system can continue to operate critical business data under their control, in their own data centers. At the same time, they can also gain advantages in storing massive data volumes through a flexible and scalable cloud ERP system.

what to consider

Factors To Consider
While Choosing An ERP Software

For a business that is growing constantly, you need to make sure the ERP systems can sustain
its expansion. In other words, you need to identify the ERP system that is best for your business, considering future
expansions and growth opportunities. Here are some of the fundamental factors you need to consider while choosing an ERP software:

levels of customization

Every ERP system needs to be customized to suit specific business requirements and objectives. It enhances the efficiency of the ERP system in providing simplification in operations, seamless mapping of business processes and meeting the reporting requirements.

system scalability

Scalability is the capability of an ERP system to support the increasing volume of operational data or business growth. It's an essential quality that allows users to easily set up new business processes and streamline them to maximize productivity.

Supports hybrid deployment model

Cloud ERP systems on the market are relatively new because businesses already use on-premise systems. In such cases, there is a lot of data stored in the legacy systems that cannot be moved into the new system instantly.

Integration

Organizations need consolidated information from different departments to get the complete business overview required for decision making. Multiple departments produce multiple sets of reports, all of which need to be consolidated. Doing this manually is both time-consuming and can lead to mistakes. Integrated ERP systems simplify restructuring and reduce errors in reporting.

multi-currency support and tax compliance

Another key consideration for any company that operates internationally is whether the ERP system is capable of handling multiple currencies and complies with tax regulations. The right ERP software would demonstrate these capabilities efficiently. The system provides multi-currency support and responds instantly to changes in local tax regulations.

data visibility

The best ERP systems standardize business processes through a centralized interface, thus providing greater access to organizational data. This helps companies monitor, handle and have greater control over all departments and processes.

digital transformation

Next-Gen ERP Systems

Organizations should have the choice in today's digital age to make timely, informed decisions about how to adapt, make improvements and implement new strategies. They also need to be able to effectively manage and monitor what works and what does not work for them, to re-allocate resources for better returns.

Next-generation ERP systems leverage emerging technologies in order to keep up with the latest trends, such as driving operational productivity and business development through AI, IoT, Machine Learning Automation and Blockchain. Increasing customer expectations and industry competitiveness has also begun pushing companies to pursue innovation and accept digital transformation.

Share information

ERP's Business Value

ERP systems can structure all business processes in the most effective way possible. They promote the sharing of information, allowing each department to communicate effectively and enhance the credibility of the information. ERP systems also provide business intelligence tools that enable real-time reporting, a much-needed feature for informed decision-making and predictions of future challenges that an organisation may face.

Mobile ERP

ERP systems are available now on mobile phones. Employees get access to reports in real time and can access dashboards anytime, anywhere

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Cloud ERP

The benefits of cloud ERP systems are becoming evident across all industries. Business information is stored in remote servers which employees can easily access, irrespective of their geographical location or the device they are using

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Social ERP

With its increasing reach, social media and its integration with ERP would enable users to access a wealth of data related to prospects and clients, that is already stored on social platforms. This would assist the company in managing customer relationship and sales.

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Two-tier ERP

Two-tier ERP systems are used by larger organizations, functioning in multiple geographic locations. In this, two integrated ERP systems run simultaneously. One system is deployed at the corporate level and the other is managed at the subsidiary level.

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Get Started With
ATradezone Cloud’s ERP Solutions

Whether you're a Small or Medium Business owner looking for a cloud-based ERP solution to improve productivity, or a large business that needs to support and grow all-round business development, our AI-powered ERP systems are designed and developed to help your business thrive.