Many companies have turned towards customization to build the ERP solution that meets their business needs, but what happens when it comes time to upgrade that software? Upgrading a highly customized ERP solution can become complicated and expensive because of difficulties integrating patches with custom code.
It has become quite clear that companies need to be able to strike a balance between the benefits of customization on one hand and the ease of use offered by prepackaged products on the other. Both have their pros and cons, so each business must figure out what balance between the two works best for them in order to ensure optimum results.
Fortunately, it is now possible to get the ERP solution your organization needs without having to build a completely customized system. Read on to learn three tips that can help make this possible.
1. Work with a vendor that understands the need for flexibility
Many companies have made it clear that they need more flexibility in ERP solutions, and vendors have risen to meet that need. Many of today's ERP solutions come complete with configuration options and role-based views that make it simple for businesses to create an ERP deployment that meet specific organizational needs without having to write custom code.
With these types of solutions, making changes in order to get the capabilities your business needs can be as simple as checking off a few boxes. May vendors also offer "verticalized" ERP solutions that are designed to meet the needs of end users in specific industry verticals, so these might also be a good option for your business. Either way, the good news is that getting specific capabilities in your ERP solution no longer requires customization. Instead, you can get these capabilities through configuration, an important distinction that can lead to simpler implementations, management, and upgrades.
2. Work with end users to figure out their exact requirements
No matter how you choose to build your ERP solution, the fact remains that it will fail if you drop it into end users' laps without giving them any input first. Organizations that involve their end users in the test and feedback cycles before they implement an ERP solution will be better able to identify and address potential problems before they cause issues later on in the game.
Customization and configuration both serve little purpose in an ERP solution if you're not correctly identifying the specific needs of your business. As you're working with your ERP vendor to determine your exact configuration needs, your end users will be able to tell you what types of functionality should be looked at as an absolute requirement for the new system, and what functionality can be added later on.
3. Work with a vendor you can trust
While today's ERP vendors are much more likely to offer flexible solutions that can remove the need for in-house customization, that doesn't necessarily mean that all vendors can offer the same level of service when it comes to meeting the specific needs of an organization. You need to work with an experienced partner that can help you come up with a successful implementation strategy.
Having the right software doesn't mean much if you don't have a partner you can trust to lead you down the right path during the implementation. At Exact MAX, we have experience helping our customers build successful strategies, guiding them on when they should customize and when they should use an out-of-the-box solution. If you're confused about how to get a solution that meets your needs without creating added complexity for your business, contact us today to learn how we can help.
