High time for you to upgrade to a real ERP ?

While business growth is undoubtedly something to be celebrated, that doesn’t mean it comes without its challenges: you have to hire more staff, oversee more transactions, analyze more data – sometimes your organization is growing faster than you can keep up with. Systems & processes that worked for you up to now may no longer be an effective or efficient. One of such systems might be your Business Application software.

Outgrowing a Business Application software is a natural part of growth for every small to mid-sized business, so you can be prepared when the time comes.

Based on our experience with hundreds of small and medium enterprises, we have compiled a guide to help you better understand the warning signs of outgrowing your existing Business Application software. Here are a few key issues to consider when determining whether or not you’ve outgrown your existing business package to a real ERP system such as SAP Business One :

1. Slow response times:

If your software package is consistently troubling you with performance issues, it might be time to upgrade to an ERP. If the system gets overloaded with data, it will begin to slow down, taking more and more time to generate reports and results. This can hinder your decision making capabilities and impair any business processes that require immediate access to get up-to-date data. An alternative solution is to purge old data, but while most ERP systems allow you to archive historic data, this severely impacts your analytic capabilities. Historic data can be used for numerous forecasting functions. If your current software package lacks modern analytical or forecasting features, then it’s another sign to upgrade to an ERP.

2. Lack of integration:

If you’re consistently finding yourself manually entering data across multiple databases, you might have outgrown your current software package. The software should be able to seamlessly integrate with other applications and allow a 360° view of your business without the need for duplicate data entry. The latest ERP systems integrate with CRM and content management systems, providing you with increased efficiency and synergy.

3. Global expansion:

Not all software packages were meant for international business. If your organization recently expanded into global markets, you may find yourself in need of a new ERP system. Support for multiple languages, currencies, and localizations are needed if you want to maintain presence in the global market. Even if your software supports a global market, ask yourself if it has consolidation capabilities. If the current software package doesn’t provide global accounting features or offer complete visibility of your international offices, then it might be time to upgrade your system.

4. Obsolete software:

Software packages and their underlying architecture are constantly evolving. If more efficient technology is available, then an older software package becomes costly to maintain, outdated, and may have its support dropped in favor of newer versions. Using outdated software can become increasingly costly for businesses and hinder overall efficiency. Even if your software still provides basic functionalities, upgrading now will provide a better return on investment than sticking with the outdated system.

5. Disgruntled employees:

Even though blaming software sounds like a poor excuse, there can be some truth to your employees’ claims. If your current software system is causing mass frustration – whether it be performance issues or a lack of functionalities – chances are you might have outgrown your software. The ease of use and overall efficiency of your software is easily measured by your employees’ satisfaction; if they aren’t satisfied with your software package, then you shouldn’t be either.

If you want your business to be operating to its fullest potential, then you can’t afford to be held back by your software. While the initial upgrade may seem like an expensive investment, the ROI of upgrading to an ERP software will far outweigh the initial costs. Upgrading to a contemporary software solution can provide you with vital functionalities and improve overall business efficiency.

If your business has recently expanded, or is looking to expand, it might be time for an upgrade.

You have to honestly ask yourself “Is your current software system holding you back?”