If you try to explore what ERP is on the internet, you will get tons of information that can be astounding as well as confusing. In a nutshell, ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, and the name doesn't give away much information to what it does. What this means is a member of an organization belonging to a particular division can easily access the information related to another division without any complication.
It is particularly useful for larger businesses, but it is not limited only to enterprises as even small companies use customized ERP's to manage their day to day activities. It requires a team to interpret and evaluate data. ERP's breaks down the barriers between business units and ensures total transparency and visibility. Previously the industry was programmed by MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) system for scheduling their manufacturing processes, and the network grew widely to incorporate many processes like inventory and operations management that gave rise to MRP-II and subsequently, ERP.
ERP System Modules Selecting the appropriate ERP module is the first step for any enterprise. Depending on what the organization does and how diverse it is, they can add modules as they grow in size or operations. Some of the different ERP modules are Financial Management It displays statistics methodically so that the upper management can get a brisk idea about the financial status. Real-time monitoring and tracking of accounts is also possible through this module. Supply Chain Management It operates the flow of materials right from the procurement to the final product delivered to the customer. It ensures that there is no scarcity of content, and production continues without any delays. Project Management It helps managers track all the assigned tasks related to the project to ensure deadlines met without any postponement. Project members can view the project status and tailor their resources and focus on specific activities. The module allows you to estimate the cost of the project in real-time to make sure no unnecessary expenditure. Sales and Marketing The sales module stores data and notify you about pending and completed orders, invoices, inquiries. It also tracks shipping and handles quotations received from different clients. While a marketing module can analyze and track all your marketing campaigns. They can measure Search Engine statistics, the success of your email marketing campaigns, etc. It helps generate new leads, which in turn reflects on the profit levels.
Benefits of ERP Encourages Collaboration Ensures transparency between the different departments in an organization, which in turn results in a smooth flow of information. It aids in a healthy work environment. Increases Productivity By collecting data from various departments and integrating them helps the organization be more dynamic and productive. Upper management can access all parts of the business at a glance to make better decisions, and routine tasks can be automated. It is one of the prime benefits of ERP. Enables Forecasting ERP solutions come with advanced business intelligence tools to predict future forecasts related to revenue, cash flow, etc. Accurate forecasting gives a competitive edge to the organization in the market as it helps shape strategies. Reduces Cost Since ERP provides estimations, anticipates breakdowns and delays, and ensures better management of resources, it can help in cutting down operational costs. Provides Robust Security Data breaches are a frequent occurrence in this day and age. ERP solutions with the help of their firewalls can help prevent this breach and prevent unauthorized access. Suspicious activity or patters get quickly notified to the administrator to help avoid any infringement.
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