Enterprises of all sizes are nowadays striving to remain competitive in the post-pandemic corporate world. From transforming business processes to shifting the traditional workplace environments, companies are taking steps to mitigate the challenges posed by the lockdown. Similarly, the ever-changing consumer needs require a proactive approach to overcome the financial losses caused by the pandemic and to survive the intense global competition.

With progressive globalization, it has become essential for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to ensure transparency, improve data management, and standardize organizational processes. Hence, they need ERP solutions to quickly analyze their business data and overcome global competitiveness.

The following article explains the importance of ERP implementation for SMEs in the post-pandemic corporate world.

What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)?

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a scalable, integrated, and flexible system to effectively manage all kinds of service and production-based businesses. ERP aligns different departments of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fundamental and core accounting functions. By gathering different processes under a unified system, companies can streamline their operations by monitoring financial management, HRM, manufacturing, and supply chain management through a centralized database.

Features of ERP

An ERP system can be integrated with other systems through an Application Programming Interface (API) for better control over organizational processes. The following features make ERP an ideal solution to modern challenges.

1. Customization

ERP systems are easily customizable and can be quickly upgraded as the business grows. Most of the ERP software offers flexibility, scalability, and ease of integration. They are adaptable to new requirements and have the ability to accommodate your growth. Likewise, easy integration allows the users to integrate separate systems with ERP software for fast communication to deliver real-time information with third-parties. Hence, firms can get bespoke ERP solutions catered to their business needs and customize these systems with changing requirements.

2. Modularity 

ERP systems can be implemented on multiple modules according to the business requirements. They allow users to select the most suitable modules based on their system’s needs that suit best to their organizations. Moreover, ERP systems are designed for different industry niches to get tailor-made solutions for diverse sectors.

3. Functionality

Another important feature of an ERP system is its functionality that is empowered by modern technology. These systems automate organizational operations that help companies increase their productivity and facilitate their work. Similarly, ERP systems can be deployed at different locations to work with multi-currencies, languages, and user-interfaces. All these features make ERP software compatible across various platforms and increase their usability.

Why do SMEs Need ERP Systems?

The COVID-19 pandemic has indicated the importance of developing and maintaining customized business solutions despite the dynamic nature of the business ecosystem. ERP systems provide SEMs with maximal utility for the cost and help them identify the area of efficiency and opportunities for improvement.

Given below are some of the reasons that make ERP systems crucial for SMEs:

1. Financial Stability

Almost every business across the globe is struggling to achieve financial stability after suffering huge economic losses by the coronavirus pandemic. SEMs are also finding ways to cut their costs and improve financial management. For that purpose, they need modern technology for effectively monitoring their transactions and making informed decisions.

ERP systems help SEMs save money by streamlining their financial data into a single dedicated software application instead of using individual software and management systems separately. Effective implementation of ERP solutions reduces administrative costs and enables SMEs to manage a large volume of transactions with accuracy, precision, and reliability.

2. Data Management

Creating a secure environment to compile and store organizational data is essential for effective data management. ERP systems automate the periodic processing once they take the data and eradicate issues like communication breakdowns, delayed responses, and inventory mishaps.

This way, SMEs can increase the productivity of their employees and can guarantee reliability to customers. Employees can use ERP solutions to handle order management without bearing the workflow burden that allows them to manage increased production volume.

3. Integrating Information Exchange

Integrating the flow of information inside an organization is essential for corporate growth and development. With ERP systems in place, SMEs can ensure real-time integration of business transactions with their financial systems.

Consequently, the company’s executives and higher management can monitor the financial implications anytime and analyze the efficiency of different organizational processes such as manufacturing, supply chain, financial management, inventory management, and distribution.

4. Decision Making

Timely availability of accurate and relevant data is necessary to make informed business decisions. ERP systems allow SMEs to regularly update such data and information to make timely decisions that suit the business requirements.

For instance, managers can compare the financial data of their company for different months whenever needed. By reviewing that data, they can plan future strategies, set financial goals, forecast their firm’s economic performance, and identify potential challenges they may face in coming years.

 5. Customer Service

Providing impeccable services to customers is necessary to remain competitive in today’s highly challenging business environment. Efficient customer service requires complete information about the client, support, sales, and finance. Having this information enables companies to understand their clients’ diverse needs and serve them accordingly.

Hence, ERP systems allow companies to get their required information on customers and keep track of orders, communication history, activities, and invoices. The software assists in consumer relationship management that significantly improves customer satisfaction and helps you make loyal clients.

The Takeaway

Although the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has created various difficulties for worldwide businesses, technology can help them mitigate these challenges. Making informed decisions driven by accurate information can help SMEs improve their organizational performance and accomplish their desired corporate goals.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are the most viable solution to modern challenges faced by SMEs. The software offers better data management and integrates information exchange that helps companies improve their decision-making ability, provide impeccable customer service, and achieve financial stability.

If you are struggling to run an SME, implement ERP today to streamline your operations and grow your businesses in the post-pandemic corporate world.