ERP Not Working for You? Here’s What’s Wrong

Do you have an ERP system in place that’s just not working for you? Often when ERP software is not streamlining processes, speeding up work-flow or seamlessly integrating company departments, the most common reaction is to get new software. While this is certainly possible, the problem (and therefore the solution) usually runs much deeper than that. Our 19+ years in small business software has taught us the three main drivers of success. Here’s what you need to know:

1) Software Features

This is the easiest one to assess. Either the software has support for the kinds of business processes you need, or it doesn’t. There are few gray areas when it comes to features.  If, however, this truly is the root of the problem, then it would be pretty obvious and therefore easy to remedy by either making use of untapped features necessary to run your company, or switching to another provider if your current ERP truly cannot do what it is you need.

2) System Configuration

The more likely scenario is that the software your company is using has the ability to manage your business processes well, but it’s just not configured properly for your needs. ERP software is complex (if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be that helpful in running your business). And you as a company manager don’t have the time to learn all the ins and outs of the software, you need to run your business. The solution in this situation is your software’s provider. A good provider can quickly help you identify where things are falling down, and configure the software as appropriate given how you operate. If your provider is not up to the task (non-existent, not competent, etc.) then you do indeed have a problem which may require switching ERP systems.

3) User Knowledge

It may be that the software is appropriate for your business and it was set up correctly, but your staff just doesn’t know how to use it. This can be because there’s been too much turnover since the software was first implemented, and knowledge has not been passed on effectively to new staff. Or, maybe you never got proper training in the first place, either because you skimped on training in order to “save some money” (oops) or because the training you got was ineffective. Again, the solution here isn’t the software, it’s a matter of getting the training necessary to use the software appropriately.

At ITOKA P4 ERP, we can help you avoid these common impediments to success by applying simple, yet effective principles we have learned in our 19+ years serving small business:

- Through extensive pre-sales demonstrations and discussions, we ensure that there is a good fit between your business and our software. If there isn’t, we will tell you, and we’ll both move on.

- Using the knowledge gained during the sales process, we work with you to set the software up appropriately for your business. And, because of our design philosophy of “elegant simplicity,” it’s easy to make changes along the way for an even better fit

- Our intense customer focus and natural drive to solve problems allows us to get you back on track quickly if for some reason your staff isn’t getting the most out of the software.