Enterprise Resource Planning

ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning as its more formally known is quite simply the integrated management of core business processes. At its most basic, ERP software assimilates various functions into a complete system to streamline and coordinate processes and information across an entire organisation. There are many business-specific definitions of ERP, but what all purveyors agree on is that it is a powerful tool in the arsenal of business productivity.

When you think of the things a business needs to run chances are you don’t just think of one particular thing. Whether it’s human resources, accounting, inventory or customer relationship management (CRM), they all make up multi-layered slices of the overall cake. If you think of jam and cream being the individual ingredients – for example, sales and accounting – an ERP solution is the mix that will give these ingredients a structure. The starch in the flour that reinforces the egg is the incumbent shared database of applications: the central feature of all ERP systems. Lastly, the icing on top represents the appealing end result of a more efficient and accomplished business. In an entirely metaphorical sense, a master baker is a business master, and ERP will help you reach that level.

But enough with the cake analogies. Let’s look at specifically why businesses value ERP implementation:

1. ERP helps employees do their jobs more competently by removing the divide between different business units.
2. ERP works in real-time, meaning you can see your data as it changes and develops, encouraging companies to address concerns proactively, and drive improvements.
3. ERP improves financial compliance through detailed regulation, giving you a better view of sales analysis whilst simplifying transactions.
4. ERP gives companies access to previously unobtainable resources and information, broadening scope and guiding networking.

Pretty good, right? But that doesn’t cover everything.

Because there are so many ERP system vendors out there, the question of who to buy from is perhaps more relevant for businesses, than whether ERP implementation is good or not. Ultimately, it comes down to choosing what’s right for you. Most “packages” will have everything you need, but what if it doesn’t do that lovely little admin thingy you want it to do? This is why it’s worth shopping around to find a solution that will well and truly unleash your business’ growth potential. When it’s as close as a telephone conversation away, that sort of promise is not something that should be passed up.

Among the best of ERP providers are Odoo, a Belgian-born company keen on making businesses better “one app at a time”. With three million users worldwide, for companies both small and large, Odoo’s mission is to provide a comprehensive suite of applications, giving businesses easy access to the software they need to help them run and expand. Odoo themselves have developed 30 main applications for their customisable marketplace, but with a community of over 1500 active members, there’s an additional 4500 plus apps to choose from. That’s a lot of tools, ready and waiting from the get-go, to help keep your business fingers firmly on the pulse.

So, why you may ask, am I taking this opportunity to wax lyrical about ERP?

Because, we at GMS, recognise the undoubted benefits of an ERP integration. Because, we know that by incorporating ERP with GMS we can further help you help yourselves. For the time being, all I ask is that you keep your eyes peeled for our next development – where you’ll be able to find out more about how we plan to make your business even better.