Top Three ERP Advantages to Keep in Mind

This post was originally published June 11, 2013

Are you on the fence about implementing a next-level, all-in-one business solution? Here are three top ERP advantages to keep in mind during the process.

Imagine how your body would work if your brain didn’t have real-time information regarding all its different parts. Your brain takes all the signals and uses them to control your body in an efficient, cohesive manner. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software can be thought of in the same way – as the brain for your business. With an ERP comes many advantages to business operations.

An ERP enables companies to replace disparate departmental systems and databases with a single integrated database for all key functions. By using a common platform, companies can integrate departmental activities and achieve a variety of cost, operational and informational benefits.

Real-Time Shared information Improves Visibility

A key advantage of ERP software is the availability of “actionable” business information delivered to the right resource, in real-time or near real-time. Many companies operate in information “silos” – these are barriers that stand in the way of full cooperation between Sales, Operations, Finance and Accounting.

Timely data is critical to business performance. Still, many companies are experiencing lag time with data collection. That’s because the process of compiling and sharing information is slow; it can take days to weeks and is then after the fact and not as useful because it has become historical.
Shared information enables better decision-making by the company resource accountable for the results. Key management has an overall view of business operations and financial reporting to make effective decisions on changing business opportunities.

Common Business Language Resulting in Process Improvement

A single database and software system allows your company to create a common business language across multiple disciplines. With everyone in one system, each department understands its role in the entire process and how it affects other departments.
This understanding across and among departments allows for process improvement opportunities. By reducing duplication and streamlining processes, ERP systems free staff to focus time on value-added tasks, thereby making a greater contribution to increased efficiencies and profitability.

Reduced Redundancy Saves Time and Money

Having disparate systems for each function requires data entry into each system.

For example: you may have to enter an employee into a payroll system, a scheduling system and a human resource system. This manual task costs valuable time across multiple disciplines within your organization. This can also lead to data entry errors causing the need for reconciliation across the systems. In a single integrated database like an ERP, all the employee information can be entered and maintained in one place while being shared by all who need access.

Achieving these benefits takes leadership commitment, employee engagement and a focus on processes. A successful transition to an integrated single database helps companies set the future for growth.

If you’re looking for the benefits of an ERP with a single integrated database that’s also been designed for the specific needs of cleaning and security contractors, look at WinTeam, TEAM Software’s financial, operations and workforce management solution.

Do you like what you see? We’d love to show you how it could be used in your unique business case. Reach out today.