For years, ERP systems were the purview of large multinational companies. Smaller organizations simply couldn't afford them. However, cloud computing and hosted services have brought ERP systems to smaller enterprises.
If you’re considering moving your company to a cloud-based ERP system, the implementation process can seem daunting. Small mistakes and hiccups in the transition can significantly impact your efficiency and bottom line without the right team.
Given the fact that ERP systems are designed with a specific purpose in mind and to manage aspects of a business such as accounting, inventory management, and project planning, it makes sense for businesses to go for an ERP systems integration consulting company that can ensure seamless implementation and get them started without any glitches.
When the scope of your project is large and complex.
While you might have experience with the operation and maintenance of your current system, that doesn't necessarily mean you're equipped to handle a new one. The scope of your project will likely be large and complex, and it's important to understand what's involved in making sure everything goes smoothly.
Planning a large, complex project requires extensive coordination between multiple teams, and it can be time-consuming and challenging to manage by yourself. The best way to ensure that your project stays on track is to hire an ERP systems integration firm with expertise in your industry.
An ERP systems integration firm will work with you to plan out the scope of your project, including the number of people who will be involved in different phases and what those phases will entail. They'll also help you determine where you might run into challenges along the way to make sure they're addressed before they become problems.
The right ERP systems integration firm will know how to navigate your company's existing processes to ensure everything runs smoothly and nothing falls through the cracks.
When you need support for a range of vendor products.
Many businesses find themselves in a situation where they have a range of different vendor products in use, and they need to integrate them together. It is especially true when another company has acquired the business, and the new owners want to bring their own systems into the mix.
ERP systems integration firms help businesses with complex, multi-vendor IT environments to get the most out of their software investments. These firms bring together experts in custom software development, project management, testing, and security to create a seamless system that all departments within your company can use.
When you need to migrate from an older system.
Migrating from one software system to another can be a tricky business, and if done incorrectly, it can result in lost data and wasted money. Data conversion and system integration is the key to a successful migration, and it allows you to work in parallel with your current systems while moving into a new one. That's why it's so critical to hire the right experts.
ERP Systems Integration Firms have data conversion specialists who are experts at migrating data from one system to another, and they know how to make the switch without disrupting operations or risking data loss. They'll work closely with your team to ensure that everything runs smoothly during the transition period so that you don't have any surprises when it comes time to launch your new system!
When you have specific data needs.
Your business is unique, and so are your data management needs. It can be tempting to do it yourself if you want to streamline how your business processes and stores data. But when it comes to integrating your company's new ERP system with existing software and databases, there's no substitute for the expertise of an experienced ERP systems integration firm. The right firm will know how to take advantage of all the capabilities that your chosen system has to offer—and they'll be able to make sure that those capabilities don't clash with existing systems or processes in ways that could cause problems later on down the road.
When you need custom solutions developed from scratch.
ERP software packages are designed for general use cases. They usually offer a wide range of features and functionality out-of-the-box, but there will likely be some gaps in what they offer compared to your specific needs. And for such needs, it makes sense to hire a custom software development firm that can build custom solutions from scratch or customize existing ones for your company's needs.
An ERP systems integration firm can help you manage ERP projects that are too big or complex to handle alone.
Conclusion
If you have a complex business and are looking for more accurate data, better accounting and inventory control, or more efficient use of resources, it is worth considering ERP systems integration. This can be done internally with existing IT staff but many businesses find that this takes too much time away from other activities. In these cases, hiring an external consultant can bring valuable expertise to help your company gain the most benefit from this technology.
Rasheed Rabata
Is a solution and ROI-driven CTO, consultant, and system integrator with experience in deploying data integrations, Data Hubs, Master Data Management, Data Quality, and Data Warehousing solutions. He has a passion for solving complex data problems. His career experience showcases his drive to deliver software and timely solutions for business needs.