I recently started a blog series discussing some of the main reasons companies need to implement a new ERP system. Reasons #1 and #2 can be found here. Today, I'll discuss Reason #3.
Reason #3: Work is Done Outside Your ERP System Due to Integration Issues and Complex Workarounds
Technology should be an asset to your business, not a hindrance. Unfortunately, disconnected software systems and complex workarounds still thrive in businesses today. Without the ability to seamlessly integrate ERP systems with your proprietary systems and industry-specific applications, businesses are spending more and more time getting information where it needs to go when it needs to go there.
"Too much time is spent rekeying information from one system to another.”
“Mistakes are common because we have to enter data multiple times to get it saved in all the right places.”
“Excel spreadsheets are taking over my life.”
Phrases like these can sometimes stem from unhappy employees, efficiency problems, or convoluted systems. Many times, they are one in the same. We see this far too often in our industry when we run across companies who rely on complex workarounds and manual processes to make up for process gaps left by disparate systems. Information is printed from one system then manually entered into another system. Many times, we even see calculations taking place on a scratch sheet of paper, in Excel, or on desktop calculators before data is rekeyed!
Recently, we spoke with a controller who juggled her company’s revenue recognition process using constantly growing spreadsheet tabs in Excel. The process caused countless “cut and pastes” as well as extra journal entries. Now, she completes the process simply by reviewing the log of entries each month for completeness. The entries are generated directly from her sale transactions thanks to seamless integration with Intacct!
If you were to tally the time lost due to inefficient processes in your business, you would be astounded at the cost. In fact, one company we worked with recently found that they could save as much as $100,000 per year by eliminating the integration restraints in their asset management processes alone! Now, what would $100,000 per year mean to your business? To me it means moving forward with simplified processes with fewer errors, time saved, and a more profitable bottom line!