Key things to consider when picking and implementing your first ERP system
15 July, 2024
If you’re considering implementing your first ERP system but aren’t sure where to start, this blog post will help you get there.
With so many solutions available, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which one is best for you and your business. In order to understand your best fit, you must first consider which features are essential for your business type.
Here are a few questions you can ask to help you find your perfect solution.
What are your business goals?
Your solutions should be working for your business, helping you to achieve any goals you’ve set yourself. Whether it’s a problem you’re looking to solve, or a feature you need in order to support your operations, an ERP system can help you do this. By identifying these goals, you can narrow down your ERP options by features they have.
How big is your business?
The size of your business will change your ERP needs. For many small businesses, efficiency and agility are a top priority, while large enterprises require robust systems capable of managing complex operations at scale.
SYSPRO can do both. The SYSPRO ERP system offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to effectively manage essential business processes, particularly within manufacturing and distribution sectors - no matter your business size.
Does this solution fit your functional requirements?
If a product isn’t functional for your business, then there’s no point in using it - and every business has different functional requirements. Does this ERP system handle sales orders that combine physical products and services? If your business offers both, it’s essential. If your company operates internationally, does the ERP's accounting module support multiple currencies and various tax systems in different countries? Again, if you’re working across the globe from your customers, then this is a must-have.
SYSPRO’s ERP solution is built to deliver industry specific functionality for Manufacturers and Distributors to overcome the unique aspects and challenges of your industry. Find out more about SYSPRO’s functions here.
How much support do you need during the implementation process?
Implementation of an ERP system is not a quick and easy task, which is why proper support is so important. The process involves planning, training, and data migration, as well as testing and going live.
When choosing your provider, it's crucial to choose one that will support you every step of the way. At HIT Technology, ‘support’ is one of our core values. We promise to support you and your team throughout the implementation processes, helping you to transform your processes as easily as possible.
What is the reputation of this ERP provider?
What a brand’s customers say about them should be one of the first things you consider when looking for your ERP solution. Customer service and product quality are hard to judge when you haven’t yet experienced it first-hand - but that’s where testimonials come in.
Reading testimonials can help you grow your confidence in this provider, telling you about the level of support, communication, quality, and overall experience.
Here’s what one of our clients, Charlie Bigham’s, had to say about us –
The HIT Technology team always give 100% to everything that we ask of them, and we find it very easy to work with them due to their pragmatic, friendly and honest approach.
HIT Technology are consummate professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of our ERP solution, SYSPRO, as well as our business processes and manufacturing operations. Their technical leadership, both with SYSPRO and in a wider context, is exemplary.
In summary, HIT Technology is an excellent business that goes above and beyond to help its customers achieve its goals and I would highly recommend them to anyone considering an ERP solution in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
Will this ERP solution integrate with your current systems?
Most businesses looking into an ERP solution already have other systems that work well for their needs and are not looking to replace them all. The key question then becomes: how will those systems integrate with the new ERP? There are usually shared data elements involved. Can the ERP access and utilise the existing data from the other systems? Will you maintain duplicate data, and if so, how will you ensure they remain synchronised? Or would it be more efficient to modify the other systems to utilise data from the ERP?
SYSPRO offers the ability to integrate and connect with third party solutions, so that it can work perfectly alongside your current solutions, utilising their data and streamlining processes.
Does your budget work?
The cost of ERP software varies greatly by provider, the number of modules needed, whether the system is cloud-based or running on-premises, and a few other things. This means that your budget may cover a different number of things depending on the provider you go with.
It’s worth remembering that higher costs do not necessarily equate to a better system. For example, if you were to choose a more expensive ERP solution that has features your business does not need, the value of that particular functionality is low. Therefore, it’s better to consider your budget based on what you DO need - as well as keeping in mind that your needs may well change down the line.
SYSPRO is designed to fit now and in the future. SYSPRO continually develops their software to ensure the ongoing evolution of relevant functionality and governance pertinent to your particular operation. As your business grows and your processes change, SYSPRO makes the ability to change simple and cost effective.
Why SYSPRO with HIT Technology?
At HIT Technology, SYSPRO is our number one choice for ERP solutions, and we’ll tell you why.
SYSPRO ERP provides the flexibility, agility, and scalability needed to seamlessly adapt to your evolving requirements, all while ensuring simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and minimal disruption to your workflow. It provides better visibility of your inventory, of your manufacturing jobs, of the performance and productivity of your people and your machines, all while fulfilling your unique business needs.