They say “The only constant changes,” but that certainly doesn’t make change any easier! Some of the most difficult changes a company can make revolve around technology. Even if your current ERP software has some quirks or limitations, it’s daunting to replace it when it technically “works” and has been getting by serving your team for years.
We know that switching ERP software is scary, but this upgrade is often crucial for a business to be able to advance. So if you know that you deserve better, it could be time to ask - What exactly is holding you back? More importantly, how can you overcome those hurdles to realize the major benefits that come with change? You’re not alone in asking these questions, so we’ve outlined some of the concerns we hear most frequently.
1. Will it disrupt my business?
If your system isn’t working for you, the overhaul has to happen sometime. Even if you’re busy now, it is important to lay the foundation for earning more business down the road. Like many worthwhile endeavors, there probably won’t ever be a “right” time. By delaying implementing an upgrade, you may be losing a competitive edge in the market - or worse, just spinning your wheels.
Don’t underestimate the power of a seamless, top-tier solution empowering your organization. Deloitte predicts that 2018 will be all about “unleashing the digital potential in the heart of business operations.” This means enabling communication and truly integrating various business units, such as sales, accounting, and management.
“These critical hooks make pricing, product availability, logistics, quality, financials, and other ‘heart of the business information residing in the core available to sales and customer service operations….Here in the midst of the digital revolution, the core’s full potential remains largely untapped. Why? Because thus far, few organizations have extended the digital mandate beyond customer-facing functions to the middle and back offices.”
The right software solution deserves to be a priority now so that you are ready to outpace the competition later.
2. How much will it cost me?
Upgrading your system does require a financial outlay, so make sure that you can quantify your ROI. Even if it takes a while to pay off, savvy stakeholders will appreciate your foresight. And often, there are nearly immediate benefits. Your employees will love saving time on manual or duplicate entries. Your teams will communicate and cooperate better than ever. Managers will welcome the insights they can gain from real-time analytics. Your customers will appreciate a new and improved level of service, increasing their satisfaction and loyalty. The streamlining of processes and improved productivity can offer long-term financial benefits that would never be realized with an outdated platform.
3. What if I’m not sure about everything we need?
Businesses are full of moving parts and making a change that touches all of them can seem unwieldy. If you’re wondering what exactly to look for when determining priority requirements to keep scope reasonable, Deloitte predicts that the most successful systems will share the following characteristics:
- Agile and efficient
- Faster, cheaper, better
- Information Accessibility
- Automated insights in real time
- Detailed insights and forecasts
- Super-sized data management capacity
- Digital trust
While the specific solution may vary by company, those priorities should get you on the right track. The right partner will understand your business needs and respond accordingly. We pride ourselves on thinking about exactly how our clients will use our system and finding a solution to meet their specific needs.
4. What if I make the wrong choice?
In the interest of time, some companies may not utilize the right resources or methods to complete the software selection process. But this is a decision you shouldn’t rush. Make sure to look at many options and ask lots of questions, such as:
- Will you get the benefits and user functionality that you need right out of the box?
- Is your vendor committed to product development?
- Do you need to consider “going mobile” or adding business intelligence?
- Will you continue to get the openness and scalability you need to grow your business?
And that’s just the beginning. Once you’ve selected the right partner, take time to sit down and understand the implementation process and the upgraded tools. Then, spread the knowledge across your organization. Change management and training are vital to long-term success. Choose a partner that is comfortable working through the inevitable growing pains that will occur in the early months.
It all comes back to investing in your company’s future success. Change is intimidating, but in hindsight, you’ll wonder what you were waiting for.
If your company is eyeing a new phase, we have identified six steps to set up your company for future growth in our free white paper, "Ready, Set, Grow: Laying the Groundwork for the Next Level." Download it today and start making a breakthrough!
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