ERP 100 Success Secrets

Transcription

1 ERP 100 Success Secrets Enterprise Resource Planning 100 Success Secrets Most Asked Questions: The Missing ERP Software, Systems, Solutions, Applications and Implementations Guide Godfrey Glenn

2 ERP 100 Success Secrets Copyright 2008 Notice of rights All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Notice of Liability The information in this book is distributed on an As Is basis without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of he book, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the products described in it. Trademarks Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and the publisher was aware of a trademark claim, the designations appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

3 ERP 100 Success Secrets There has never been an ERP Guide like this. 100 Success Secrets is not about the ins and outs of ERP. Instead, it answers the top 100 questions that we are asked and those we come across in forums, our consultancy and education programs. It tells you exactly how to deal with those questions, with tips that have never before been offered in print. This book is also not about ERP s best practice and standards details. Instead, it introduces everything you want to know to be successful with ERP.

4 Table of Contents Accounting is Given Importance Through ACCPAC ERP...10 The Need for BAAN ERP...11 The Benefits of ERP Make It An Outstanding Business Partner.12 Choosing the Best ERP...13 ERP: Cisco s life saver...14 How to simply define ERP...16 A brief definition of the Enterprise resource planning (ERP)...17 Understanding the dynamics of ERP implementation...18 What ERP Can Do to You and Your Company...20 What is ERP...21 Features of ERP Accounting...23 ERP Applications: All in One System...25 Benefits of ERP to a Business...26 Why You Need To Get An ERP Company...28 Value Your Customer: Get ERP CRM...29 Managing ERP Implementation...31 Features of the ERP Software...32 The Advantages of the ERP System...33 All People Involved Need ERP Training...35 ERP implementation: Choosing between a systems analyst or business analyst...36 Clear distinction between ERP and CRM...38

5 Benefits and advantages that a company gains by implementing ERP system Some notable comparison on levels of ERP adoption among various types of companies ERP Consultant: An Agent for a Better ERP System Basic steps to finding the most reliable ERP consultants Information Technology: A Major Part in ERP Consulting Gaining a different perspective on ERP cost Making ERP Data Work in the Work Place ERP Database Integration in Supply Chain Management Getting to Know the ERP Definition Benefits of Having an ERP Enterprise Saving Money through Wise ERP Evaluation Preventing ERP Failure Before It Happens Unleashing the Inner ERP Genie in You ERP II: The Evolution of ERP The Implementation of ERP in the Call Relationship Management ERP Integration Makes Business Work Handy The Future for ERP Professionals: More and More ERP Jobs Pursuing Careers for ERP Jobs Job Description for an ERP Manager The Growth of ERP Market ERP Market: Is there a future In It? An Overview of Some ERP Modules... 74

6 Understanding ERP MRP...76 ERP News: Mid-Ranged Businesses Adapting ERP Systems...78 Choosing An ERP Package That Works For You...79 ERP: Powering Up the Human Resource Process...80 How ERP PPT Delivers a Powerful Business Case for ERP Deployment...82 ERP Process: Selection Made Simple...84 ERP Products Outside the Manufacturing Setting...85 The E-Commerce and ERP Program...87 ERP Project: Knowing What It Is and How It Is Managed...88 Successful Implementation Through ERP Project Management90 Problems ERP Project Managers Face...91 ERP Covers Organizations Projects...92 Reviewing the ERP System...93 Request for Proposal for an ERP...94 Sales on ERP Systems...95 ERP SCM Combination: Good for the Business...96 Securing an ERP system...97 Erp Selection: Choosing an the Best ERP System...98 Services Offered with Your ERP...99 Software Companies Behind ERP Systems Solutions to ERP Software Problems Everything about ERP Software System The ERP Solution the COmpany Needs...103

7 ERP Solutions Help Achieve Growth Quick Steps Before Implementing an ERP Strategy Three Ingredients of ERP Success ERP Support: Ensuring Business-as-Usual Mode during ERP Implementation How to Choose the Best ERP Technology The Benefits of ERP Testing Discover the Usefulness of ERP Tools for Greater Corporate Efficiency ERP Tutorial: Preparing IT Personnel for ERP Implementation How to Choose the Best ERP Vendor Why ERP Vendors Are Needed An OVerview of the ERP Wiki Definition ERP Wikipedia: ERP Explained Free ERP Software: Providing a Cost-effective Business Solution for Start-up Companies Global ERP: Challenges Facing the International Implementation of ERP Systems Great Plains ERP is Indeed Great Advantages of Hosted ERP IFS ERP: Not Just Functionality But Compatibility as Well A Quick Look at Implementing ERP Intuitive ERP: Living Up to Its Name The Evolution of JD Edwards ERP

8 Lawson ERP for Government Use Linux ERP: A Slow but Sure Start Implement Manufacturing ERP to Gain an Edge and to Thrive in the BUsiness Qualities of Good Manufacturing ERP Software Microsoft ERP Applications: Some People Like Them And Some Don't mysap ERP: Flexibility and Scability Makes It the Leading ERP Application Navy ERP: ERP is Not Just For Corporations Online ERP: The Cheaper and Simpler Option The Coverage of Openbravo ERP The Face of Open ERP Open Source ERP as the New Hype PeopleSoft ERP Under Oracle The Rise of Web ERP Just What is ERP Anyway?...150

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10 10 Accounting is Given Importance Through ACCPAC ERP ERP has indeed reached a much higher level of demand in the world of business enterprise. Because of its diversity, small scale businesses have began adapting the system to help organize their day to day business functions. However, no matter how small businesses are its size does not justify how much accounting services it should receive. After all, accounting is still accounting and it involves financial aspects which must be covered by the business. And in response to the growing need of paying attention to the accounting side of the business, ACCPAC ERP has been developed. This software is highly developed and made more interactive that it can even host customer relations under its aid. However, at the heart of ACCPAC ERP is the emphasis provided on accounting. It also hosts various applications which can be attached onto the program to help facilitate a smoother flow of business transactions in between business partners and clients concerned. ACCPAC ERP also gives big importance to the overall business intelligence of the company. It also helps authorities generate business reports more effectively and in complete detail. It already has its own set of report templates which users can easily choose and then data will be incorporated within a breeze. However, certain user options in the form of customizing reports are also made available. If in case the person would want to create report from scratch, it is also possible with ACCPAC ERP. Its additional applications can also be made useful for the said purpose. In effect, regardless of how reports generation has been facilitated document management still remains intact according to the business rules.

11 11 The Need for BAAN ERP Business software systems necessary for keeping the entire operations and production alive is present in BAAN ERP. Any business needs an ongoing flow of information to keep its entire system up to date. Aside from new information, business also need new applications to help develop their processes and to help facilitate better treatment of data. As changes occur in the field of business as well as the consumer market, the business itself must find means to keep itself afloat despite the mounting competition. This is where BAAN ERP helps dish out treatments for business concerns. The program helps run the back office or the support system of a business. Although BAAN ERP is not at the frontline, without it the frontrunners will cease to exist and will crumble. The lifeblood and the soul of the business can be found in the said program. It covers not just the business operational aspect in terms of sales and marketing but it is also comprised of another important pie the accounting department. Most businesses place utmost importance in the said department because this where profits and budget are circulated for usage. This also helps keep the business up and running with just the right allocations. But apart from these important aspects, BAAN ERP takes everything a step further because it also pinpoints the operations strengths and weaknesses. It monitors data and the entire business process apart from just housing it. It immediately notifies the system administrator if data glitches occur and if outdated applications have finally surfaced.

12 12 The Benefits of ERP Make It An Outstanding Business Partner The benefits of ERP on businesses are numerous. This cannot be denied and an obvious proof is that different software companies have devised their own ERP programs to cater to business needs. The said program has achieved much popularity and success mainly because it focuses on a holistic approach in monitoring the progress of a business. Yet despite the fact that it is holistic and consists of application networks, it remains to be a fairly easy program to operate that one does not need to be really tech savvy in order to fully utilize it. Among the most desired benefits of ERP is that it helps reduce the costs incurred by a business. Gone are the days when businesses had to hire numerous professionals in order to do technical works such as accounting and network administration. Now, the ERP makes this all possible with one software alone. This is very beneficial especially for small scale businesses which cannot afford extra manpower because of the extra allotment for salary and benefits. Aside from these, ERP is often available as a free download so businesses need not make another investment just to be able to get the software program. Another notable thing which is included in the many benefits of ERP is its ability to spearhead strategic planning. The entire program itself is not just a passive host for the entire business. If in case new updates occur, it will automatically course everything into the system and notify the person in charge to make the necessary changes.

13 13 Choosing the Best ERP When it comes to making an investment for your business, you have to make sure that you only consider the best. Remember that you are entrusting your business into another hand so you should make sure that it will be something really safe and secure. This notion is the reason behind why it is imperative that you choose only the best ERP to help facilitate and monitor your business operation. The program will be responsible for monitoring the rise and fall of your profits. The first thing you need to consider in choosing the best ERP is your business. What field do you operate in? Although ERP comes in many different manufacturers, it also comes in many different specializations. Companies have done this so that specializations can still be made possible under the aid of ERP. Some software programs may tend to put more emphasis on one business aspect than the others. So if you don t get a better grasp of what your business is all about, you might end up getting the wrong type of ERP. Another way in which you can choose only the best ERP is by means of and ERP consultant. Some online sites who offer the said software program provide their customers with online based ERP consultants which business entrepreneurs can ask when it comes to ERP concerns. These professionals will help you better understand what you really need in your business. They will help trim down the options for you. You should also remember that these consultants will also have a certain field of specialty so you should choose the one who is directly related to your business field.

14 14 ERP: Cisco s life saver Founded by two Stanford computer scientists, Cisco systems, Inc. is a well-known international corporation that creates and sells different networking and communications technology products and services. Cisco system, Inc. is established in San Jose, California. Since its founding in 1984, Cisco became progressively stable and successful as a manufacturing corporation, events that led to the company s enormous growth. Just like any other large and growing corporations, Cisco had used specialized software package systems to support its manufacturing, financial, and order-entry functions separately. Despite Cisco s efforts in adopting its current system to meet with its growing requirements, the system unfortunately failed to cope with the rapid changes. The system failure had nearly stopped the company s entire business for two days. Such an adverse made the company to seriously decide taking on an ERP system to replace the failed one. ERP or enterprise resource planning is the method of integrating the different functional activities of an organization into a unified structure or system by using software and hardware applications. This system creates and uses a centralized database that stores all essential data and different system modules of the organization. ERP basically improves competencies across the organization resulting to an improved core business functions and eventually an increase in revenue in a shorter period. Adopting a single ERP system to cover Cisco s entire business process was a difficult decision and a very challenging commitment. Countless research and painstaking configuration were conducted to align ERP with their organizational management and structure. However, it didn t take long for Cisco to see visible results of its ERP implementation. Each positive result confirms

15 15 and strengthens more the company s trust to its new ERP system. In the end, Cisco s ERP project has truly been a momentous success and an encouraging testimony to everyone.