How a decent ERP system can help you stay out of jail

The finance function is the backbone of any business, managing everything from budgeting to compliance. Yet, financial mismanagement or fraudulent activities have historically landed some finance leaders in hot water – even jail!

With evolving regulatory requirements and the increasing sophistication of fraud, businesses need robust systems in place to mitigate risks.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, with their comprehensive capabilities, offer finance teams the tools to manage processes effectively, reduce errors and detect fraud before it escalates. Here’s how ERP systems help keep businesses compliant, secure, and on the right track.

1. Centralised data management

An ERP system consolidates financial data from various departments into a unified database. This eliminates the risk of discrepancies and ensures consistency across the organization. By centralising data, finance teams can spot anomalies or unusual patterns in transactions as they occur and generate accurate financial reports without relying on manual data gathering, reducing the chance of errors or omissions.

2. Access controls

ERP systems provide role-based access controls, ensuring that only authorised personnel can perform specific tasks or view sensitive information. This layered approach to security helps enforce segregation of duties and minimise risks of unauthorised access.

3. Audit trails

One of the most critical features of an ERP system is its ability to log every action taken within the system. Audit trails track user activities, creating a clear record of who made changes to financial records or system configurations. They also accelerate investigations, cutting the time it takes to identify fraudulent activities and pinpoint responsible parties.

By maintaining a detailed history of transactions, ERP systems ensure that any suspicious behaviour is quickly identifiable and resolvable.

4. Automated controls and fraud alerts

ERP systems can automate internal controls and set up alerts for potential fraud. This automation reduces the reliance on manual intervention, minimising the opportunity for data manipulation.

Setting fraud detection rules, for example, activates algorithms that flag transactions that deviate from typical patterns, such as unusually high payments or duplicate invoices. In addition, threshold-based alerts can be activated to trigger when spending exceeds pre-set limits, ensuring timely and accurate oversight.

5. Real-time reporting and advanced analytics

Accurate decision-making relies on access to timely and trustworthy financial information. Quick access to actionable information ensures better financial decision-making, reducing the risk of errors that could adversely impact the business.

ERP systems empower businesses with a number of customisable reports that generate detailed insights into spending patterns, budget adherence, and profitability. In addition, predictive analytics use data mining and modelling to detect hidden patterns and identify potential risks.

6. Compliance and Regulatory Adherence

Non-compliance with financial regulations can have severe consequences, from hefty fines to reputational damage. ERP systems help businesses stay compliant by facilitating regulatory audits and supporting internal controls.

This allows management to maintain accurate and accessible records for external inspections and align financial processes with best practices and regulatory standards to avoid inadvertent violations.

Common financial threats and how ERP helps address them

  1. Data manipulation: Prevented through automation and strict access controls.
  2. Fraudulent activities: Detected via advanced analytics, transaction logging and real-time alerts.
  3. Decision-making errors: Minimized with accurate, up-to-date financial information from centralized databases.
  4. Compliance failures: Avoided through integrated internal controls and robust reporting capabilities.

A safeguard for finance professionals

ERP systems are more than just tools for managing finances. They are safeguards for finance professionals and their businesses. By leveraging the advanced capabilities of ERP, financial leaders can ensure processes are transparent, compliant and secure. With robust systems in place, the risk of human error and fraud is drastically reduced, protecting both the organisation and its key decision-makers.

For finance teams looking to strengthen their processes and protect their integrity, adopting a reliable ERP system is not just an option, it’s a necessity!

AI or no AI, underperformance will come out in the data

Amid the buzz surrounding AI lies a critical truth: while AI can mask underperformance temporarily, data never lies. This fundamental reality highlights the importance for businesses to integrate AI with robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to truly elevate business performance.

ERP systems have long been seen as the backbone of organisational efficiency, streamlining processes and centralising data. However, viewing ERP as merely a tool to “get by” is a misconception. Instead, ERP systems are designed to enhance performance, providing a structured framework that supports decision-making, resource allocation and operational efficiency. The real power of ERP lies in its ability to provide accurate, real-time data that informs strategic decisions and drives continuous improvement.

AI as enabler

Artificial intelligence, when partnered with ERP, creates a formidable duo. AI excels at processing vast amounts of data, identifying patterns and making predictions. This capability, when integrated into an ERP system, can transform an underperforming team into a high-performing one. AI can elevate the overall output by leveraging data insights, thus enabling even average performers to achieve exceptional results.

This winning combination is like having a world-class coach for a sports team. The coach (AI) analyses performance metrics, identifies areas for improvement and develops strategies to enhance player performance. Meanwhile, the ERP system acts as the comprehensive playbook, ensuring everyone is on the same page, executing their roles efficiently and adapting to real-time feedback.

Businesses need to view AI not as a replacement but as an enabler, much like the transition from encyclopaedias to Google or from fax machines to email. AI represents the next logical step in this evolution. However, AI alone cannot deliver excellence. It requires the right systems and infrastructure to fully realise its potential. This is where ERP systems come into play.

By coupling AI with ERP, businesses can move forward in the right direction. This integration provides more accurate data, enhances workforce performance and improves overall business efficiency. The synergy created by this partnership leads to better decision-making, increased productivity and a competitive edge in the market.

In the end, data remains the ultimate arbiter of performance. AI can help interpret and optimize data, but it cannot alter the fundamental truths that data reveals. Underperformance will always be visible in the data, regardless of the sophistication of the AI used. Therefore, businesses must focus on leveraging AI to enhance their ERP systems, ensuring that the data they collect and analyse accurately reflects their performance and informs their strategic decisions.

As financial services companies continue to operate in the modern business landscape, the integration of AI and ERP systems stands out as a game-changer. By embracing this powerful combination, businesses can ensure that they are not just hiding underperformance behind sophisticated technology but are actively using it to drive genuine improvement and achieve sustainable success. The future belongs to those who recognise the true value of data and harness the power of AI and ERP to turn insights into action.

How an ERP system can alleviate burnout and overload

Demand for efficiency and productivity has never been as high as it is today. Employees find themselves grappling with manual tasks, data overload and a never-ending to-do list. This often leads to burnout and overload.

The World Health Organization (2019) classifies burnout as a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Those who suffer burnout report feeling low in energy or exhausted. They also feel mentally distanced from their jobs, sometimes experiencing negativity or cynicism, while their productivity tends to slump. 

Mental health has become a huge issue in the workplace, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. In its 2022 Work and Well-being Survey the American Psychological Association found that 7 in 10 workers in the US (71%) believe their employer is more concerned about the mental health of employees now than they were in the past. 

The solution to workplace burnout lies in optimising processes and empowering employees. On the operational side, a powerful ERP system that streamlines operations, eliminates manual tasks and provides a comprehensive overview of the entire business can help to reduce stress and burnout in the workplace.

Implementing an ERP system like epic ERP can actually benefit both businesses and their employees by reducing burnout and overload.

Streamlining processes

One of the primary advantages of an ERP system is its ability to streamline business processes. Traditional manual workflows are often cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors. Employees spend countless hours on repetitive tasks that can be automated, leading to frustration and burnout. Epic ERP automates these tasks, freeing employees to focus on more value-added activities.

By streamlining processes, the ERP system helps businesses to reduce the risk of bottlenecks and delays, resulting in a smoother and more efficient operation. This not only enhances overall productivity but also reduces the stress and workload on employees who no longer have to deal with manual, repetitive tasks.

Manual data entry and reconciliation can be a major source of frustration for employees. The constant need to enter data into multiple systems, check for errors, and resolve discrepancies is not only time-consuming but also mentally exhausting. A good ERP platform eliminates the need for manual data entry by centralising information and automating data flows.

This means employees no longer have to spend their time on mundane data-related tasks. Instead, they can rely on the system to handle data accurately and efficiently, allowing them to focus on tasks that require their expertise and creativity. This not only reduces burnout but also minimises the risk of human error, leading to better data quality and decision-making.

Incorporating an ERP system from epic ERP into your business isn’t about replacing employees; it’s about enhancing their job experience and reducing the burden of burnout and overload. By streamlining processes, eliminating manual tasks, providing a comprehensive overview, and enhancing job roles, epic ERP empowers employees to be more productive, make better decisions, and focus on what truly matters.

Sound like a solution your company needs? Chat to us today info@epicerp.co.za

Change management’s crucial role in ERP implementation

Change is a constant in the business world, and nowhere is this truer than in the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. ERP implementations represent a significant shift for organisations, touching the very core of their operations. From altering daily workflows to reshaping established processes, its impact is extensive.

As epic ERP MD, Stuart Scanlon, says, “Implementing an ERP system is like performing open-heart surgery on a patient who is walking around and interacting with his/her environment. You simply cannot shut an entire company down in order to implement it. The company has to remain operational with as little disruption as possible.”

Effective change management is, therefore, key for success.

ERP implementations activate a torrent of change within an organisation, which often leaves employees feeling uneasy. To address the challenges and fears surrounding these changes, you need to adopt a well-defined approach to change management. It is crucial that top management provide ongoing support and adopt a proactive stance toward change to avoid ERP implementation failures.

Change is a process, not an event. Firms must adopt a structured framework when implementing change in their organisations. Drawing from Dr John Kotter’s Eight Stages of Change Management theory (1995), we have put together a comprehensive approach to help guide organisations through the often-disruptive process of ERP transformation.

Kotter’s eight stages of change management

1. Create a sense of urgency

  • Conduct ROI analysis to underscore the tangible benefits. (See our previous article “Unlocking the ROI of an ERP system”.)
  • Identify opportunities, including non-traditional benefits through structural changes and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting.

2. Form a powerful guiding coalition

  • Establish a leadership coalition capable of steering the change.
  • Drive the implementation by maintaining focus on the urgency and opportunities that form part of the transformation.

3. Create a vision

  • Develop a compelling vision of the future state, highlighting the benefits of the change.
  • Formulate strategies to realise the envisioned change.

4. Communicate the vision

  • Tailor communication methods to the organisational culture.
  • Set behaviour standards through effective messaging, shaping the organisation’s attitude toward the project.

5. Empower others to act on the vision

  • Identify and eliminate barriers to change.
  • Encourage inputs and critiques on the future vision.

6. Plan for and create short-term wins

  • Align employee rewards with the change process.
  • Celebrate small achievements as steps toward larger change goals.

7. Consolidate improvements and produce more change

  • Boldly adjust systems, structures and policies as the partnership gains support.
  • Hire and promote individuals who can actively contribute to implementing the vision.
  • Introduce new projects supporting the future vision.

8. Institutionalise new approaches

  • Integrate change into the organisational culture.
  • Establish leadership succession that upholds the future vision and embodies the change culture.

Change management stands as a cornerstone in the success of ERP implementations. A clear strategy and vision, communicated effectively from the executive team to every employee, form the foundation for success. Linking remuneration to change efforts provides a tangible incentive for employees resistant to change.

Beyond the realm of ERP projects, fostering a culture of change positions an organisation to adapt swiftly to external shifts, creating a more resilient and agile entity in our ever-evolving world. Over and above our software offering, epic ERP can help you across your business with all the change management aspects associated with your ERP implementation. Contact us today to find out how.

Making a ‘MES’ out of your systems

By Mihir Gulabbhai, ERP specialist, Epic

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing industry, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive revenue growth. Advanced MES is a digital solution that promises to do just that.

Advanced MES, or Advanced Manufacturing Execution System, is a real-time monitoring and analysis tool that automatically tracks operational resources, such as machines and humans, to optimise production efficiencies and operational performance. It provides insights into operational weaknesses, aids in maximising production outputs, and reduces costs, ultimately enabling companies to make informed strategic decisions and gain a competitive edge in the industry.

One of the most significant benefits of Advanced MES is its ability to replace traditional organisational models with new opportunities to expand into Industry 4.0 with service-based and real-time sensor data. This allows businesses to improve their revenue growth and adopt new models that align with the changing manufacturing landscape.

Another key benefit of Advanced MES is its ability to eliminate manual data collection and empower employees with easy-to-use touchscreen platforms. This not only streamlines processes and reduces errors but also enables digital transformation, which is vital in today’s data-driven world.

Advanced MES also offers improved scheduling capabilities, allowing businesses to gain real-time insights into machine performance, flexible schedule updates, and ‘what-if’ shift impacts. This results in improved overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and plant productivity, ultimately maximising the availability, performance, and quality of operational resources and manufactured items.

Furthermore, Advanced MES provides analysis and visibility into scrap and downtime, giving leaders a better understanding of their operational weaknesses and allowing them to capitalise on opportunities to improve their processes. This, in turn, leads to rapid time-to-value and increased profitability.

Advanced MES also offers energy management capabilities, which monitor and analyse resource energy consumption to schedule workload in a way that reduces the factory’s total power demand, with more control over variations. This translates into energy savings, which can have a significant impact on a business’s bottom line.

In addition, Advanced MES provides preventative maintenance capabilities, scheduling corrective maintenance actions prior to the occurrence of machine and tool failures. This helps companies to minimise downtime and maintain consistent productivity levels, leading to improved responsiveness and schedule performance.

Finally, Advanced MES offers improved data consolidation and analysis with the use of Epicor Data Analytics, a scalable, powerful, and easy-to-use digital graphical business intelligence tool that consolidates data from multiple sources, provides insights, and helps organisations make better-informed strategic decisions.

In conclusion, Advanced MES is a valuable digital solution that enables companies to optimise their production processes, reduce costs and increase revenue growth. Its capabilities, such as real-time monitoring and analysis, improved scheduling, preventative maintenance and energy management, provide businesses with a competitive edge in the rapidly changing manufacturing landscape. By adopting Advanced MES, companies can achieve digital transformation, streamline their operations, and capitalise on opportunities to improve their processes and maximise their profitability.

Speak to one of our experienced consultants about how your business can benefit by using Advanced MES: www.epicerp.co.za or email info@epicerp.co.za.

Be sure to choose the right costing method when setting up your ERP system

In the world of accounting and inventory management, selecting the right costing method is crucial. Different industries and businesses have unique needs, and the choice of costing method can significantly impact financial reporting and decision-making.

Some common costing methods that can be applied when you implement an ERP system are weighted average (average costing), standard costing, and first-in, first-out (FIFO). Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision for your business.

Here is a breakdown of each of these methods, along with some of its pros and cons:

Average cost method

The average cost method, also known as the weighted-average method, calculates the cost of inventory items by dividing the total cost of goods purchased or produced in a period by the total number of items. It offers a straightforward way to assign costs to inventory.

The calculation is simple, and it evens out the costs of stock throughout the year.

Businesses that prefer the average cost method are often those in industries with high stock movement and where basic or simple analytical tools are required.

Pros:

  • Easily understandable.
  • Evens out costs of stock during the year.
  • Stock adjustments can be done over all stock quantities, including specific stock items.

Con:

  • Less suitable for tracing variances within stock movements and pricing.

Standard costing

Standard costing is a practice used to estimate the expenses of a production process based on historical data and probable future changes. It is used by manufacturers to plan their costs for the coming year on various expenses, such as direct material, direct labour or overhead.

This method involves comparing budgeted costs to actual costs. It is more complex and requires a detailed historical dataset of stock prices and movements to accurately implement budgeted figures.

Standard costing is the preferred method of businesses that want to trace variances regularly and in more depth, including price and quantity variances for materials, labour and overheads.

Pros:

  • Provides beneficial analytical information when implemented correctly.
  • Allows tracking of variances and costs in a structured way.

Cons:

  • Requires established accounting teams and detailed historical data.
  • Involves a significant initial time investment in determining budgeted costs.

FIFO

FIFO costing tracks the price of items based on their cost at the time of purchase order receipt. It applies this cost to each shipment of the item until the receipt quantity is exhausted.

FIFO is calculated by adding the cost of the earliest inventory items sold, ensuring that the oldest stock is used first.

Industries that require the sale of the oldest stock items first, such as those dealing with perishables, prefer FIFO. It also helps monitor stock obsolescence.

Pros:

  • Easily understandable.
  • Accurate gross profit at a given point in time when implemented correctly.

Cons:

  • Less suitable for tracing variances within stock movements and pricing.
  • Stock adjustments can be more complex and time-consuming, as they need to be done per cost layer.

The choice between these methods may vary depending on the focus of your industry or the reporting requirements of your company.

Below are a few examples of where you can apply the above costing methods depending on your stock movement:

For businesses that stock or buy to order, all three methods can be applicable.

  • FIFO is highly beneficial in industries dealing with goods that have a limited shelf life, such as food products. FIFO is also advantageous for businesses with specialised stock and low quantity movement.
  • In industries with high quantity movement and similar items, all three methods can be considered.
  • In industries where stock prices are highly volatile, both average and FIFO methods can provide advantages.

For manufacturing-focused businesses, streamlined processes may make average cost methods or standard costing more appropriate

In short there is no single costing method that trumps all others. The choice of costing method should align with your business’s unique needs, industry focus and analytical requirements.

Contact epic ERP for an assessment. We will help you chose the right costing model for your business. 

Q&A with our ERP newb Corne

Q & A with our ERP Newb, Corné!

We believe that epic ERP is just that, epic! So, to put it to the test, we thought we would ask our recently recruited Finance Manager, Corné van der Westhuizen, her thoughts about the company, and the onboarding process.

epic ERP: It is great to have you onboard, Corné! Where are you joining us from?

Corné: I started my career in 2012 as a trainee accountant at an audit practice. My four years with the audit practice gave me a lot of exposure to a host of industries (small to medium size companies). Once I completed my articles, I accepted a position as a financial clerk at a horticulture company in 2016. I was fortunate to have been promoted twice, from admin clerk to financial controller, thereafter I was promoted to finance manager in 2018. My time with this horticulture company had many highlights – l grew and learned so much as an individual. Some of these highlights include the responsibility given to me as finance manager, it broadened my perspective beyond just crunching numbers, made me think and work within a team and taught me to think as a problem solver.

 

epic ERP: Why did you decide to climb aboard the epic ERP train?

Corné: Honestly, when the recruiter suggested I apply for this role I initially said: “No way! The tech industry is so complicated”, haha. But even after the very first interview with the epic ERP team I was impressed by the family-like company culture and really wanted to be a part of it.

 

epic ERP: In a nutshell, what does your role at epic ERP entail? 

Corné: I am employed as the finance manager. My responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to the following:

  • Compliance with relevant laws and regulations (SARS, Company’s Act, etc)
  • Preparing and maintaining important financial information and reports
  • Assist the business in making critical financial decisions by collecting, tracking and correcting the company’s finances
  • Ensure adherence to implemented controls and procedures
WhatsApp Image 2022-07-22 at 8.29.29 AM

epic ERP: What have been the highlights of transitioning to this role so far?

Corné: Being with my previous employer for almost six years, my colleagues truly became like family and I wasn’t expecting to feel quite at home for some time. But I was received with a warm welcome at epic ERP and within these few weeks, I already feel part of the team!

The induction process here was also comprehensive, and the previous finance manager has been incredibly helpful with the handover. He even made tutorial videos I can refer back to you, and helped me decipher all the acronyms that are used in a tech environment.

Other highlights would include the exposure to a new industry and making new acquaintances.

epic ERP: And the lowlights?

Corné: Lowlights would be the typical “teething issues” in a new role of being unfamiliar with the accounting system and unfamiliar with the processes and procedures, which I’m getting more comfortable with.

epic ERP: How would you describe your start at epic ERP so far in three words?

Corné: Exciting, supportive, and epic!

epic ERP: Lastly, what do you hope to achieve while at epic ERP?

Corné: I hope to be a valued member of the Epic family, assisting the business to grow even more into the wonderful potential I see for it!

Q&A with our ERP newb!

Q&A with our ERP Newb

We believe that epic ERP is just that, epic! So, to put it to the test, we thought we would ask our recently recruited Strategic Account Manager, Nicolas Baker, his thoughts about the company, his new team, and the industry we call home!

 

epic: So, Nic, tell us about your first day and first impressions of working at epic.

Nic: I have had the very fortunate experience of having worked with epic over the past few years, as a supplier, so I already knew some of the wonderful team when I walked in for the first time as an official team member. It was initially a worry for me, leaving a group of people that I had grown incredibly close to over the last few years, but the guys here have done an amazing job of making this feel like home. Working closely with various technology companies in the past and having been involved in the development of numerous digital, online, mobile and app projects has prepared me well for this new challenge, but there is certainly a lot to learn about ERP and business software that I am very much looking forward to.

 

epic: What do you have to say about the epic ERP approach?

Nic: These guys are seriously passionate about what they do. The moment you walk through the door, you encounter innovation, from the connected factory demo at reception to the proprietary Signature Methodology we employ as a project management philosophy. I learnt quickly that epic is driven by a desire to help their clients achieve greatness and this is done using their trusted implementation schedule, which encompasses five steps to mitigate risk and ensure quality delivery (Prepare, Plan, Design, Validate, Deploy).

 

epic: How have you found your new colleagues?

Nic: My first impression was that these guys know how to play hard and work hard. It’s a team comprising exceptionally clever people, from engineers, to MBA graduates, to doctors and even a pilot! They are at the coalface of what is an intensely exciting industry, pushing boundaries with what ERP implementations can do, ensuring the perfect fit to client requirements. They are happy to roll up sleeves and get their hands dirty, which is something that suits me perfectly! Having said that, the team is not afraid to let their hair down at a Friday braai with a couple beers and the light jesting that naturally comes with them.

epic: So, Nic, tell us about the transition to the ERP industry?

Nic: As mentioned, I was not new to the technology space, being heavily involved in custom development solutions at my previous company. Having said that, the ERP industry is an intensely competitive environment, with some massive household names like Epicor, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. However, I believe that epic ERP has strong differentiators, like being truly vendor agnostic and having invested in the skillset to navigate this incredibly dynamic industry. The fact that we have a team of highly qualified specialist consultants in-house that can roll out various ERP solutions definitely gives us an edge. This, married to a singular focus on meeting and exceeding client expectations puts us ahead of the competition.

epic: Lastly, what do you hope to achieve while at epic ERP?

Nic: epic’s executive team have a long and storied history in the ERP industry, with 75 years of cumulative experience. It’s safe to say that our heritage is rooted firmly in ERP and, as a result, we have vast competence in delivering full lifecycle projects across various industries, deploying the best fit for purpose solutions that can only be achieved by being truly vendor agnostic. I aim to augment this offering by providing clients with service delivery that matches our dedication and innovative spirit. My hope is to quickly apply my technical understanding to the solutions we offer and become an asset to our clients, translating their needs into actions, providing solutions expediently and effectively, while building meaningful relationships. In addition, I hope to identify opportunities that contribute strategically to their business goals, bringing efficiency and ultimately ensuring ROI.

There you have it, proof that epic ERP lives and breathes innovation, teamwork, and excellence at all levels, delivering on the epic promise. 

Why ERP Partnerships are not like Marriage

Why ERP is like a Marriage

Business Relationships are like Marriages:

 

A business relationship is often likened to that of a marriage requiring a long-term commitment and compromises from both parties. However, the partnership between organisations and their enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors are significantly more nuanced. Using the wedding analogy, It requires commitment and consideration from the entire family.
 

Unlike a marriage where what others think do not matter, ERP implementations need to be cognisant of the expectations of all business users. It is such a mission-critical element of the organisation that the sentiment of every stakeholder needs to be considered before embracing a new system or upgrading an existing one. In the past, ERP installations were driven by IT departments and others had to fall in line. Modern organisations require a different, more integrated approach that welcomes feedback from all users.
 

And while you are unlikely to share your significant other with someone else, business-critical systems benefit from working with partners who have relationships with other organisations. Just consider the experience they have addressing unique scenarios and being able to customise the ERP system accordingly. Chances are if you are having a specific challenge, such an experienced partner would know how to solve it. If you restrict your partner to an ‘exclusive’ relationship with just your business, you lose access to all that intellectual capital,
 

Embrace change:

 

The rewards of a healthy relationship are often intangible. But do you really want your business to not know the value derived from its ERP implementation? Measuring the success of the partnership should be done in the real-world terms, either in financial returns or other business benefits. If there is no real return on investment from your ERP vendor, then there really is no point in working with them.

 

Part of this is having the capacity to upgrade. While people can evolve and change, you cannot ‘plug’ new features in to them. However, with ERP systems your business should expect such continuous enhancements that reflect changing technology patterns. With digital transformation impacting on all aspects of the organisation, ERP must be able to adapt to more flexible approaches. Your service provider must be able to customise the implementation while you remain focused on your business strategy.

 

Some might think that, like marriage, your commitment to your ERP vendor should be made upfront and be a lifelong partnership. Realistically, very few business relationships last the distance. Instead, you should be able to work with the service provider at your own pace and in such a way that brings value according to your business priorities.
 

Transforming your Solution:

 

In many respects, this also means your ERP partner should be there to take care of your organisational needs. While our spouses cannot spend all their time looking after us, the vendor partnership is one that must be focused on pro-actively identifying issues and helping your business overcome them.
 

This brings us to the power of communication and accessibility. While we will not be able to maintain a successful marriage by only talking to one another remotely, with ERP this is critical. Being able to embrace mobile and cloud technologies will empower you to have access to the data you need and have conversations with your partner irrespective of physical location and time.
 

The digital world is all about personalisation. And while a successful marriage is not about correcting each other, the ERP partnership requires that. You should be able to have a customised offering that reflects your immediate needs with your partner able to enhance it as those needs evolve and the business market changes.
 

Partners in Growth

 

While personal relationships are exactly that, it will be advantageous for your business if your ERP provider works with other organisations. This provides your business with a partner that has a broader perspective of not only challenges specific to your industry but to others as well. Using this experience, the partner will better be able to deliver business value to your organisation.
 

Ultimately, sharing your ERP partner will only make for a stronger relationship. This can happen both external to the organisation as well as internal. Getting all stakeholders involved will result in improved employee supplier relationships but also better customer satisfaction.

Embracing a Mobile ERP World:

Mobile ERP

Stuart Scanlon Speaks on Mobile ERP:

 

The popular IT vernacular of last year – cloud computing, big data, and virtualisation – has been replaced with the likes of mobility and digital transformation. And yet, the building blocks of enterprise resource planning (ERP) remain integral to the success of the business. How then is the new dynamic impacting on such a fundamental technological component?

 

Given the imminent arrival of new multi-national data centres in South Africa, much attention has turned to the feasibility of going the cloud route (likely still a hybrid approach) for local businesses. Certainly, while companies across different sectors have started to embrace virtualised solutions, many analysts expect a significantly more mainstream adoption once those new data centres open in 2018.

 

Becoming Mobile First:

Apart from addressing concerns that exist around potential bandwidth limitations of accessing data hosted thousands of kilometres away on other continents, the new local data centres will see faster (and more reliable) connectivity between corporate users and their mission-critical information. Already, we are seeing businesses embrace mobile enterprise solutions to gain real-time insights while out in the field.

 

Of course, a further advantage of going the local route is the fact that any potential compliance and regulatory concerns are taken care of by keeping data within the borders of the country. This is contributing to Africa being a mobile-first continent. Even South African businesses are becoming less focused on rolling out traditional solutions and more geared towards being mobile-friendly.

 

Impact of Mobile on ERP:

This push towards mobile is driving the need for easier and faster ways to access data while away from the office. It stands to reason that accessing systems on a smartphone or tablet is becoming a corporate priority.

 

For this to work effectively, ERP needs to transform as well. In fact, mobile ERP is one of the biggest growth areas for vendors in the months (and potentially years) to come. By creating an enabling environment for mobile ERP systems, business users will be able to access everything from reports and job processes to financial data and other components while working remotely.

 

Granted, several solutions already exist in this space to help drive mobile ERP, but there is still significant opportunity for refinement. Effectively integrating with the back-end database wherever it is located becomes a priority. All the user-friendliness and design engagement mean very little if the right information is not accessible quickly and reliably.

 

A ERP Solution for All:

Significantly, these mobile ERP solutions can cater for organisations of all sizes. Even small to medium enterprises can benefit from this mobile approach with ERP becoming more affordable. Despite the hype around the cloud and virtualization, the business benefits they bring to the digital transformation initiatives of businesses cannot be ignored.

 

So, while mobile ERP might still be considered a relatively niche field amidst all the excitement of other digital initiatives, it will be a vital element of any business strategy. How decision-makers will implement it and integrate with the rest of their data-driven solutions will be an ongoing part of the process.

 

Irrespective the way forward, companies who have been ignoring the mobile route need to start re-examining their approaches before it is too late. Digital waits for no one.

Epicor expands South African footprint

Astria Technologies

Epicor Appoints Astraia Technology:

ERP Suite of Business Solutions:

Western Cape technology consulting firm Astraia Technology has been appointed as an Epicor Value Added Reseller (VAR) through South African distributor Epic ERP. This sees companies in the region benefitting from strong local support for the global enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite of business solutions.

 

“We are extremely excited to have Astraia on board. They have a solid reputation in the Western Cape and is the business partner of choice for many organisations across industry sectors. Epicor is strongly positioned in South Africa and we have seen companies embrace its cloud-centric approach to meet the requirements of the digital age. Astraia will further cement this thinking with its customers as it provides specialist consulting services that align with the Epicor strategic objectives,” says Stuart Scanlon, managing director of epic ERP.

 

David Bryant, CEO of Astraia, says this appointment is not just about the technology solutions available through epic ERP but is also a reflection of the shared values of both organisations.

 

“For us, it is about the power of relationship. Like us, Epic ERP believes in honesty, integrity, and excellence. Add to this the extent at which Epicor meets business requirements, and you have room for almost infinite possibilities,” believes Bryant.

 

According to Bryant, companies in the Western Cape are committed to capitalising on opportunities as the area has become one of the fastest-growing in the country. Astraia clients range from financial services to mining and manufacturing. The company focuses on the process of ERP and will look at integrating all its solutions to bring value through the Epicor suite.

 

“Companies are more open to ERP than in the past as it has become more affordable and accessible because of the benefits that cloud computing provide. This partnership with epic ERP provides us with the opportunity to offer our customers the best in technology solutions built upon the foundation of our strong relationship with them and epic ERP,” he concludes.