For many businesses, summer is a quiet time. That means less business on the one hand, but on the other hand it also provides an opportunity to give attention to other facets of your business. For example, an evaluation of your business software; are you still working with a top quality software package or is there room for improvement?
The importance of enterprise software
A complete and user-friendly ERP system is vital for businesses to be successful. Having accurate and complete information about your employees, your customers, your suppliers and your products available centrally helps you successfully, efficiently and profitably manage your business. But a good ERP system needs ongoing attention. Because technology is changing, your customers are becoming more demanding, competition is making strides, and there are constantly new developments in your business and industry. But in day-to-day business, there is sometimes too little time to work on improving automation. Should summer also be a quiet period for your business, it lends itself perfectly to evaluating automation.
Ask yourself the following questions
But what is important to evaluate? The questions below provide guidance for your evaluation. Of course, it is important to tailor the evaluation to your own organization.
- How are the performance and speed of the software?
A slow system slows down your processes and causes frustration.
- Does the software still meet the latest security requirements?
A security breach or risk poses a huge threat to your business. Modern and popular software systems usually meet the latest security requirements. This makes you well protected against hackers and malware and also complies with privacy laws.
- Does the software fully fit our business activities?
Are all your business processes supported by the system? Or are there still processes that can be improved through automation? Or perhaps you are working with a system that suited your business activities when it was implemented, but no longer does.
- What obstacles do users encounter in our software?
There is no more valuable review than that of end users. Let them tell you what they encounter in the software. These may be problems you know nothing about.
- What opportunities do users see to get even more out of the software?
And of course just thinking positively: where are end users opportunities to benefit even more from working with your system?
"The most drastic decision is looking for a new ERP package, but even that can be a legitimate decision."
After the evaluation
After completing your internal research, you will naturally start working on improvement. A few possible steps:
- Optimizing processes
This is the least invasive next step, but can be sufficient in many cases. Adjust processes by eliminating unnecessary steps and by automating more, for example.
- Expand use of the software
You may find that you are not using parts of the system. Or expanding with additional modules may add value.
- An upgrade of the software
Is your system in need of an upgrade? For example, to take advantage of new features or for better performance or to comply with the latest laws and regulations.
- The search for a new ERP system
The most drastic decision is looking for a new ERP package, but even that can be a legitimate decision. Take your time with that and involve your entire team in the process, even after the summer!
