Over the last 10 to 15 years, it has become more common to see portions of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) offered as single software solutions, which are easier to use and more cost-effective for small and medium businesses (SMEs). The most common types of software are those used in accounting, human resources, and customer relationship management (CRM). As most of these software solutions specialize in a particular area of your business, it makes sense for businesses to subscribe to only the services they require.
A major downside of using a single software solution for every aspect of your business is the lack of integration. It often results in the use of Excel spreadsheets or additional software that promises to integrate one application with another. Furthermore, managing your users and access becomes a nightmare. The process of onboarding new employees requires the creation of multiple accounts, the addition of subscriptions, the setting of permissions, etc.
Alternatively, you may wish to consider using Excel spreadsheets or other generic tools that offer a great deal of flexibility. To fully benefit from these tools, it is important to understand what you are doing and how to use them correctly. Often, multiple employees are managing similar tasks in different files, with duplicate information, and nobody is certain which file contains the correct information. When a new employee joins the company, no one knows where the files are or how to access certain information. In other words, a new employee means “another way to build the same spreadsheet”.
If managing the business manually with generic tools is a nightmare, and if using multiple platforms for different areas makes communication and integration difficult, then what is the solution? Implement an ERP system.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a system that enables multiple areas of a business to be integrated, including production, sales, and human resources. This is a very powerful tool that can be used to produce reports, create and manage documents, simplify routine tasks, and simplify the management of complex businesses. Since such software has been around for a few decades, it is usually associated with large corporations and multinational businesses, especially because of the cost and complexity of implementing such software and integrating it into your very specific needs.
There are, however, a few low- to mid-cost ERPs that are simplified versions of ERPs without excluding essential modules, making them an excellent choice for small and medium organizations. Nengatu offers a cost-effective ERP that covers the most important areas of any business, including integrated calculations, workflows, and easy customization. Another advantage of using an ERP like Nengatu is that you can begin using it immediately. By gradually integrating your areas, you can ensure a smooth transition. A major advantage of using an ERP over separate subscriptions is that each user has only one login, all information is already integrated, and the user interface is the same throughout.
Ready to empower your business with a modern ERP solution? Explore how Nengatu can help you streamline operations, improve profitability, and achieve sustainable growth.