ERP Tools

What is ERP and How Do ERP Systems Works?

ERP system enables you to gain a broad perspective of what is going on with your business. It helps you combine all the individual reports created during different business processes in the same software and make data-driven business decisions. Some of the common business processes are as follows -  

• Sales
• Human resources
• Warehouse/inventory
• Purchase/finances
• e-commerce
• Customer relationship management (CRM)

Want to Become a Master in Netsuite? Then visit here to Learn Netsuite Online Training Course!

What does an ERP do?

The purpose of an ERP system is to check and improve how the company resources are utilized. ERP software brings together all the reports and metrics across various departments into the same environment which makes data analysis very easy. 

Using ERP tools helps an organization understand if reducing resources affects quality/performance and then it can grow business more efficiently. Without an ERP system and proper planning of how resources should be utilized to maximize growth, you may invest resources in tactics that underperform.

However, a great ERP software allocates resources into those that would generate good returns. An ERP system let you quickly find the information or report as everything is on the same platform. You don’t have to look through different business applications to find the data you are looking for; it’s accessible right from the ERP interface.

Types of ERP by Industry

Do you think that the same ERP solution works for every industry? No, because every industry has its own specific requirements and needs. That is why there are several types of ERP designed for several industries to address their customized needs.

• Apparel ERP - Garment industry
• Automotive ERP - Automotive sector
• Cannabis ERP - Cultivation industry
• Construction ERP - The construction industry
• Higher Education ERP - The education sector
• Manufacturing ERP - Manufacture sector

Types of ERP by Implementation

• On-premise ERP - This ERP is directly installed on your site devices.
• Open Source ERP - AN ERP solution that lets you inspect and customize your application to better suit your business needs.
• Cloud-Based ERP - Any ERP software (SaaS) which is available over a cloud-hosting.
• Hybrid ERP - ERP solution which is a blend of a cloud-based and on-premise deployment

[ Related Article: NetSuite ERP Interview Questions For Beginners ]

List of Top 10+ ERP Tools 2020

Salesforce.com 

Salesforce.com is one of the popular names in ERP solutions which is used by a variety of sectors. It offers a wide range of products depending upon the business's size and the sector it belongs to. It also offers an IoT cloud and has extended strategic partnerships with Microsoft to bring their products closer together for the betterment.

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is available on both the cloud and on-premise across various operating systems. It has developed into a full suite of ERP products including applications for financial management, supply chain management and human resource. Third parties are also allowed to customize the software.

[ Related Article: Advanced Microsoft Dynamics Interview Questions ]

Sage 

Sage tools run on cloud, on-premise, and across Windows/Linux operating systems and are perfect for mid-sized to large manufacturers. Invite sage into your business to grow with confidence. Sage ERP system helps in delivering efficiency, higher customer satisfaction, improved productivity, and better decision making. 

[ Related Article: Learn About Linux Operating system ]

PolyPM 

It is an ERP tool specifically for the apparel manufacturers produced by Polygon. It is flooded with general functionalities and features like orders, purchases, inventory, industry-specific items, and more. PolyPM is a Windows-based ERP tool that is deployed on the client's server, not on the cloud.

E2 Shop System

It is a job-based manufacturing ERP software developed by Shoptech. It has several features and functions such as quotes, order and shipments,  quality control, contract management, materials, scheduling, and accounting. It is best for small and medium-sized firms and available on-premise on Windows. 

Intacct

 It is a cloud-based financial accounting ERP tool that offers a wide range of finance and core accounting features such as orders and billing, financial reporting, multi-currency management, project accounting and more. It is best for small and medium businesses and is available across Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Entree

NECS entree ERP tool is designed for the food distribution industry that runs on-premise on Windows server. It is full of amazing features such as truck routing, sales, order entry, warehouse management, records of cash receipts, pricing flexibility, reporting, and much more. 

Netsuite 

It is the world's #1 cloud ERP that automates manual tasks and runs your business in real-time. Netsuite can be used by all sized firms from small to medium to large. It can be used by a range of industry and available across Windows, Linux, Mac operating system. 

SAP 

SAP offers multiple ERP solutions - by design, business one and manufacturing. Business one has 41 country-specific versions which are mostly used by medium-sized firms of different industries such as retail, service, and distribution. 

[ Related Article: SAP Modules list ]

Oracle JD Edwards 

This ERP solution focuses on core accounting functions such as advanced cost accounting, expense management, and accounts payable and receivable. It can be used on-premise, and operated on Windows and Linux, and is OS-agnostic via web browsers.

Benefits Of ERP Tools

Some major business benefits of ERP software are as follows:

Enhanced Business Reporting:

• Better ls with real-time information

• A single integrated database for all kind business process reporting tosses

Better customer service:

• Access to real-time customer information

• Faster response times

• Improved order accuracy

• Improved on-time delivery

Superior Supply Chain Management:

• Reduce production bottlenecks
• Transparency through the business
• Effective demand forecasting and lean inventory

Cost Savings:

• Better customer service
• Improved inventory planning
• Better procurement management
• Improved vendor relationship management

Better Data & Cloud Security:

• Dedicated security resources
• Avoid installing malicious software
• Data distributed across multiple servers

[ Related Article: Learn Netsuite Tutorial ]

How to choose an ERP Software Solution For Your Business?

As organizations grow and business expand, the workload becomes paramount. Choosing the right ERP system allows organizations to securely store sensitive data and use it for decision-making to achieve business goals. 

So, are there any foolproof guidelines that need to be followed while choosing the ERP solution for your business? Yes, here we are going to discuss some crucial factors that you must consider to find out the best-suited ERP system for your business. 

• Evaluating ERP Options - Before finalizing any ERP software, it is very important to create a clear and extensive list of your company's needs and demands. Every software comes with some specific set of features and specialization, you have to look and evaluate which one fits your particular needs.
• Planning for mobile -  Most of the organizations are switching to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device is a trend where employees connect to the organization's network and get access to the work-related confidential data) for which they require a mobile-ready and most secure ERP software that keeps your data encrypted and safe.
• Local, Cloud or Hybrid -  Another important aspect is that you have to decide what kind of platform you want - local, cloud or hybrid. Each and every model has its own pros and cons.  Local installation requires high investment, cloud system requires careful integration and compatibility test before migrating data, while hybrid systems provide a customized practical solution.
• Customization and Integration - With time, needs and requirements of an organization keep on changing.  Therefore, you need an ERP software that can adapt and adjust with upcoming demands while providing value to your organization.
• Selecting the Correct Implementation Partner - Buying software license is not where the game ends, enterprises may not have proper knowledge, resources, time and expertise for a smooth rollout. There is a managed service provider available in the market that lends helping hand by providing skilled resources to carry out the business processes.

Explore NetSuite Sample Resumes! Download & Edit, Get Noticed by Top Employers! Download Now!

These were some of the most powerful ERP tools that you can choose from to make better business decisions and increase productivity. Hope you found most informative and useful. Do share your views in the comment section below.