ARTICLE | 5 MIN READ

What Is ERP Software?

Learn how Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software helps businesses run smoothly.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software handles day-to-day business operations. ERP solutions come in all shapes and sizes and are available as cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) or on-premise systems. Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Acumatica, and Oracle NetSuite are examples of popular ERP platforms.  

What Does ERP Software Do?

ERP software provides a centralized database so all departments and locations can access accurate, up-to-the-minute information from one place. Systems and processes managed by ERP software include:

  • Inventory and Operations
  • Accounting
  • Human Resources and Payroll
  • Reporting and Dashboards
  • Workflow Automation

Why Do I Need ERP Software?

As companies scale, sharing information between departments or geographic locations becomes challenging. Consolidated reporting might be complicated for growing companies, and a lack of uniformity slows operations between departments. 

ERP software helps you streamline processes, improve business insight, and tie together the various functions within your organization. 

Below are essential ERP functions that help you run your business. 

  • Inventory and Operations: Tracking and managing orders, stock levels, and vendors. 
  • Accounting: Managing invoicing, general ledger, accounts receivable, revenue recognition, accounts payable, and fixed assets; consolidating multi-entities and multi-currencies. 
  • Human Resources and Payroll: Streamlining the tasks of managing payroll and administering employee benefits, tracking professional development, managing recruitment, and performing analytics. 
  • Reporting and Dashboards: Enabling the creation of user-specific dashboards and reports to access real-time insights about business performance from anywhere. 
  • Workflow Automation: Automating routine tasks, centralizing document management, escalating activities based on other events, and creating notifications. 

What Are the Benefits of ERP Software?

The most profound advantage of ERP software is that it allows your business units to operate more cohesively, driving productivity and enabling your team to address issues and make proactive improvements. 

ERP software has the potential to help your company: 

  • Enhance the customer service experience you deliver 
  • Control inventory costs 
  • Stay compliant with financial and regulatory requirements 
  • Decrease time required to fulfill orders 
  • Reduce the amount of time spent (and errors made when) manually entering data into disparate systems 
  • Make better decisions using real-time financial data and operational insights 

ERP programs are available as suite solutions, offering a broad range of functionality to cover your entire business. The software also links to your company’s other systems, like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, eCommerce tools, point of sale applications, and tax filing modules, so you can custom-build your total solution with a best-in-class approach. 

Is ERP Software a Good Fit for My Business?

ERP software’s value doesn’t begin or end with any particular industry. It improves productivity and profitability in any growth-oriented business that wants a unified way to manage and evaluate its administration and operations. 

If you’re considering an ERP solution, you’ll need more than a best-fit solution; you’ll want to find a reliable partner to guide you in implementing and using the software. If you’re ready to begin comparing ERP solutions, start with these considerations: 

  • What business functions does it need to address? 
  • Can it keep pace with your company’s growth? 
  • To what degree can it be configured or customized to meet your organization’s needs? 
  • What characteristics do you want in a software implementation partner? 
  • What price point is within your company’s budget? 

Where Should I Start Searching for ERP Software?

As one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most experienced Microsoft Dynamics partners, Cargas Systems has implemented ERP solutions for organizations of all sizes and in many industries. If you’re looking for a partner to assess your needs and help you find which ERP software will help you overcome your most daunting business challenges, we’re here to help. 

Julie Fuller Sales Development Representative

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