If your company has just purchased a new accounting and ERP system, or you are on the verge of making such a purchase, these tips will help you get the most from your investment. An accounting and ERP system provides maximum benefit to companies prepared to invest time and effort into establishing KPIs and goals, as well as learning the system’s capacity.
Review Your Company’s Strategic Plans
Your software should support your company’s strategic plans. Examine your annual, ten year, and five year growth plans. Make sure that the software chosen for your business is scalable and supports growth over time. Many modular solutions such as Sage 100 offer excellent support because they are easy to scale up as you grow.
Establish and Adhere to Data Policies
Your ERP system is only as good as the data it contains. Make sure that you establish data policies. Determine what information goes into the system and how it will be used ahead of time. Select someone on staff to become the “data police” to ensure that the policies are maintained, updated, and adhered to throughout the company. The better the data, the more accurate the reports you will receive from the system.
Build Process Maps
Establish process maps so that anyone coming aboard in your company can follow the map and use the ERP and accounting system easily from their first day on the job. Written process and implementation documents ensure that information isn’t lost when someone leaves the company; the information can be easily shared and transmitted to other employees over time.
Ensure Adequate Training
Employees must receive thorough training in the new system in order to obtain maximum benefit from it. Group training sessions are important. Make sure that someone in the company is trained as the system “champion”, the go-to person for onsite trouble shooting. This person can answer questions, help find solutions to problems, and be on call within the company for any problems or advanced issues that may arise with the ERP and accounting system.
Measure ROI
Once your system is in place, you can measure the ROI of your ERP implementation. Identify areas where you were able to save time or money, or gain information from the system that helped you improve job functions, processes, or other aspects of your business. ROI is more than the direct return on investment. Indirect returns, such as time saved, errors avoided, and other benefits, may also be included in your ROI calculations, if desired.
ASI Consulting Helps You Derive the Most Benefit from Your ERP and Accounting System
Accounting Systems Inc. (ASI) offers proven business solutions and outstanding customer service to help your business succeed. Founded in 1986, we offer accounting, manufacturing, distribution and ERP software and services to many industries. Our goal is to help your business grow, thrive, and develop, and to provide you with the tools and solutions you need to achieve these goals.
For more information on how ASI can help you gain the most from your new or existing ERP and accounting software, contact us today.