Is Your Wholesale Distribution ERP Software Adaptable to Changing Times?
Enterprise Resource Planning Software which is also called wholesale distribution ERP software helps distributors in buying and selling items and manage business processes more effectively. They can take care of functions, suggest inventory management, generate automatic reports and even can pack, ship or pick products by leveraging a robust and advanced functionality.
Using features like a transactional database, inventory management, and access to real-time data, the wholesale distributors can leverage the distribution ERP software to run businesses efficiently. However, implementing these solutions can be a time taking process, hence it is important that the system you choose is futuristic and is capable of supporting the business growth. However, not every wholesale distribution ERP software is built equally, and hence, it is important that you choose the one which is perfect for your business. Here are a few factors that you can consider:
Integration Options
If you are running a business for some time there are chances that even before the integration of the ERP software into your business system you already have some of the features of the ERP with you. A sophisticated ERP solution will offer you an ‘all-in-one solution that can effectively replace your existing management system so that you get to evaluate your business from a single dashboard. ERP is an open system that is adaptable enough to integrate with other software or applications. It can change its capacity as your business changes or grows. For example, if you are a distribution business that is to enter into an online market then you can integrate the enterprise software with your online platform and enjoy a comprehensive working experience. There are chances that you might find the cost of installing ERP software a bit on the expensive side as compared to your existing management system however the degree of freedom, comfort, and convenience that will come with installing an ERP software will make this expense worth it. ERP installation makes more sense in today’s world as many companies prefer to enter the online market. If you wish to gain a competitive advantage over other market players then you can leverage functionalities of advanced ERP software such as having insight into inventory and order fulfillment cycle. You can manage your online orders better using ERP software. An integrated approach will also help you collect and secure vital customer data like credit card details. You can have 24*7 access to the business data.
You can also enjoy Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). When you integrate this with your ERP software, data sharing becomes smooth and seamless. There is no scope for errors or delays.
Opportunities for Automation
Integrating enterprise resource planning software into your business comes with one more advantage that is automated operational processes. In the present competitive market where speed and accuracy cannot be denied, a business must seek automation rather than relying on human efforts. And hence ERP is the solution. There are many types of enterprise resource planning software available in the market some of them are introductory and basic in nature. These types of software will fail to offer you what you need to grow in the present and future market. On the other hand, automated ERP software might be costly upfront, but will save you a lot of time, resources, and efforts. As a business, you must always think in the long term. ERP software generates a comprehensive database for your business which lets you take the burden off your staff’s shoulders as they do not have to make manual entries or changes in the data. This ultimately leads to more productivity, boosts business efficiency, mitigates data processing time, and operating costs too. No or less manual interference means more accuracy and speed.
A well-managed data also means more robust reporting. ERP allows you to share, exchange, edit or export reports in real-time. You can set certain rules in the system to automate the flow of business data and its distribution. You also have an option to share this data in real-time using emails and other sources, both internally and externally. This makes data sharing simple and timely. For example, you can command the ERP software to share a weekly sales report on the selected date and time to the selected team or employee. Automated reports and analytics also help you understand the performance of your business as a whole and department-wise. You can use this data to improve where you lack and most of all, you can treat your customers better and offer them more of what they expect. Business workflow gets streamlined easily as tasks and responsibilities can be managed better with ERP.
With accurate and automated reporting, a business can also mitigate supply chain friction. A business can keep tabs on inventory and develop a better supply chain management system. An integrated ERP software lets you monitor and measure your real-time business progress and helps you stay organized.
Managing Business Growth
In today’s world, every business has to deal with dynamic customer expectations and demands. Contemporary technological advancements have made sure that customers have all the comfort and convenience they expect; be it ordering from their smartphone, 24*7 access to products and shopping experience, etc. All this makes customer services more important and vital to the business than ever before.
One way of making sure that your customers get everything they expect and want every time they interact with your business is to offer them self-service features in the form of online order platforms that they can access 24/7. This platform will work as a sales agent and as a cashier too. The platform will have all the information about the products the businesses offering, prices, descriptions, uses, instructions, etc. The portal will let them place an order, make a payment and track the order in real-time. All this can be done without your customers ever having to speak to your employees. ERP helps you meet every customer expectation.
On the one hand, when you are leveraging ERP software to take care of your customers, you can also use it to take care of your business. Every business has different objectives, hurdles, and milestones. What might work for one business will not work for another. so in order to make sure that your ERP system is a perfect fit for you, you must ensure that you are getting the best and the most out of the system. You can seek consultation from the experts or the ERP vendors during the sales process and even after that. The consultation will help you evaluate your business, your needs, opportunities, etc. This data will help you make informed decisions and choose the right software for your business.
Once you select the most perfect ERP for your business, the next step is to use it fully. For that, you must know how the software works and what are the ways in which you can use it. Look for a solution provider who will offer you in-person training, a demo of the software, only then will you have that confidence in your software and you can gain the desired results. Just the way you are making an effort to be with your customer during and after the purchase, make sure your vendor treats you the same way. Look for a vendor who will be ready to help you even after the installation of software.
No matter which products you sell, the business world is a dynamic world where changes are inevitable and always surprising. Make sure your software changes with the changes you make in your business. Choose software that can be updated as per the growing needs. Scalability is essential. Updates keep your software relevant and competitive which directly affects your competitiveness.
