Manufacturing and distribution trends are changing all the time. (You can see some 2014 trends here.) Though the trends fluctuate, it always stands that small and mid-sized distributors must continue improving their quality control, productivity, and competitiveness in order to level the playing field between themselves and larger distribution companies. To do so, many companies are looking at automation and software integration programs like Sage ERP X3. These ERP (an acronym for enterprise resource planning) systems offer increased control over all aspects of running a distribution company.
Here are some tips to use Sage ERP X3 to increase quality and competitiveness:
Automate Processes
There’s an adage that says, “Work smarter, not harder.” Automating processes eliminates the need to do repetitive tasks over and over and can free up employee time to, instead of collect data, analyze it and use it to improve business. Sage's ERP X3 software gives you the ability to automate financial reporting, customer service, shipping processes, and more.
Increase Offshore Control
The best way to grow as a distribution company is to expand into foreign territory. Sometimes taking your business international is complicated, as laws about importation, taxes, safety controls, and other things vary from country to country. Sage ERP X3 can help, with modules for converting monetary units and calculating international costs as well as with the ability to combine data from all of your locations.
Access Data
With Sage ERP X3’s web-based portal, you can access the all the data you need when you need it. Need to check a bill of lading at 10:00 pm? Sage ERP X3 will let you do it from home. That type of data access also gives you increased tools for regulatory compliance and independent oversight.
Integrate Customer and Vendor Relations with Finances
The more time your employees spend billing, invoicing, and accounting, the less money you have for distribution and customer service. Using an enterprise resource planning system reduces unnecessary labor costs in your finances, from receiving inventory to shipping it back out.
Integrate Warehouse, Shipping, and CRM management
As you grow, your software needs to grow. Failure to do so means so many things – errors in shipping and receiving, poor customer service, loss of profits, and more. Sage ERP X3 combines the data to prevent these issues from happening and consolidate it into easier to read formats. In addition, the software is scalable, so as you expand, Sage offers updates and new modules and expands along with you.
Make Information Based Decisions
Having the right information at the right time is key to making good decisions. Because Sage ERP X3 combines all your data into one database and updates it in real-time, you can be sure that the information you see is everything you need to see to make an informed decision.
Set Up Multiple Users
Independent accountants, vendors, customers, shipping partners, employees, management, and legal advisers all need access to specific parts of your organization at one time. Sage ERP X3 allows you to securely set up users for people inside and outside your business, even going so far as to letting you choose security levels, passwords, and individual privileges.
Oates & Company offers a complete line of business software systems. For further information on how Sage ERP X3 can help you, or to ask other business related questions, please contact us.
