In today’s world of multi-site operations, be it global or across town, the data transparency feature should be of utmost importance when searching for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite like the Sage ERP X3.
Why?
Because the old methods are less efficient. However, decision makers can be slow to move to newer technologies, despite the fact that there is research data showing that relying heavily on silos of disconnected information at multiple sites on an array of desktops is an easy way to lose information. In addition, the old methods don’t offer the complete picture or real-time information necessary to have a seamless flow of data.
While in the past Excel and Word have been the prominent ‘go to’ solutions for managers and plant operations supervisors, their limitations shackle many companies struggling with expansion. Their limitations include workers needing to spend too much time sifting through multiple windows and applications in order to find the necessary client information, proposal outlines, invoices, shipment verifications, etc.
Real-time data, transparency, and a way to manage them are important because they allow everyone in the system to see the same always-updated data. In this way, fewer mistakes will be made. For example, if a salesperson at location 1 puts in an order for item B but doesn’t have an ERP system that updates automatically, salesperson 2 might also put in an order for item B and now there is a backorder due to lack of real-time data and transparency.
In short, managing product flow, conveyor lines, parts inventory, shipments, and customer relations are better served through an enterprise resource planning system like Sage ERP X3.
In addition, we are in the age of “big data” – businesses are doing more and more business, reaching more and more customers, opening more and more locations, etc. All of these things add up to a lot of data that needs to be collected, sorted, and saved when/where necessary. So much data is hard to control with only tiny software solutions like Excel and Word, whereas Sage ERP X3 allows the data to be collected and given to the CEOs, managers, supervisors, etc. – in any form they want it – in a timely, organized manner that allows them to make informed decisions.
An ERP solution like Sage’s ERP X3 also gives companies a chance to offer better customer service. The aforementioned scenario with salespersons 1 and 2, for example, is an example of bad customer service, as one of the clients must now wait for their order to come back in stock. With better software, sales and service departments can easily manage their orders without delay and without incomplete information. Not only is this better customer service, it’s less stressful for salespersons in general.
Contact Oates & Company to find the right software for you.
