Integrated Data Technology Blog RSS

The Dollars Are in the Details – and the Details Should Be in CRM

March 1, 2013
 
The devil is in the details, the saying goes. When it comes to B2B selling, the dollars are also in the details. That's something I learned many years ago while writing about the reseller channel. Back in 2000, the Internet caused significant disruptions of traditional reseller relationships, because many large technology vendors expected online sales to eliminate the need for resellers. They tried to sell direct, but failed to grasp the value that resellers provided to their end-user customers. So in 2000 and 2001, they tried to win back their jilted resellers.

Benioff’s Social Proof

February 28, 2013
 
Salesforce came to New York this week for its annual winter meeting with customers. The company had two goals: test new ideas, and gather customer input. The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for a relatively small group -- less than 1,000 -- rather than at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, which can accommodate the maintenance facilities for a squadron of F18s. Intimacy, it was hoped, would drive better discussions. Salesforce has been beating the social CRM drum pretty hard for the last two years. So right on schedule, Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff decided to reshuffle the deck

Cloud ERP – More or Less Customization?

February 26, 2013
 

One of the hidden costs of implementing any ERP system is the cost of customization. The focus at the initial meetings in the sales process is for both the buyer and seller to determine where the company’s present ERP software falls short and how the seller’s new solution can meet today’s needs. In the prototypical software vendor’s PowerPoint sales presentation, customization isn’t covered until slide 22 underneath the fifth bullet in a section called “customer adaptations.” The description typically says “optional.” We all know differently. It really isn’t optional at all. For the last 40 years, the history of ERP systems has taught us that customization is inevitable.Customizing ERP

This is a topic that must be brought to the forefront. After all, anyone who has undertaken an ERP implementation knows that there will be customization/personalization required to enhance the usability or functionality of the ERP software. As a result, there will be programming costs borne by either the software vendor or the customer. And, until the customization is complete, the customer is going to incur some delay in achieving improved productivity and efficiency.

In today’s business world, what causes this need for customization? After all, other than globalization, e-commerce and machine automation, along with the inclusion of the cloud in many customer/vendor collaboration processes, most of the basic business processes for manufacturing and distribution are quite similar to practices of 20 and 30 years ago. However, it is these very items that have big impacts on what needs to be in an ERP suite.

For instance, with the supply chain now being global, additional importance is placed on certain features of ERP, such as multi-plant inventory, planning and tracking of freight and landed costs, plus having to track consigned inventory and sub-contract expenditures. Increased machine automation in some industries means that they require more analysis regarding the cost of materials versus the cost of labor. Meanwhile, there are a whole host of manufacturing corporations that are making changes to the businesses to create a competitive edge with their engineering and services. They are looking for new ERP system features which provide better information and analytics in those areas as compared to tracking detail on the shop floor.

Thus, from a “features/functions” standpoint, these differences mean next-generation systems need to be more functional in different business areas than their predecessors. To be competitive, they must be able to rely on their ERP software vendor to continue to provide additional features and extensions. Likewise, they need to assume that, as their own business and industry evolves, they themselves will want to define some modest extensions to their ERP to help themselves, and only themselves, thrive.

What is the Role of the Cloud in ERP Customization

Consider this. Since the mid 1970’s, almost every popular ERP systems installed for SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) and large corporations has required customization. Other than a few software vendors who began their multi-tenant ERP Cloud development a decade ago, Cloud ERP systems are only now surfacing and, as a group, are not yet as functional as the current On-Premise systems, developed and built out over the past 30 years. So, in addition to the growing pains inherent in business evolutions, it’s safe to say that, in the majority of cases, one should expect more, not less, customizations and enhancements of Cloud ERP solutions to be the norm.

The next generation of Cloud ERP solution users must recognize that customization is still a necessary component of user adoption and extension of the software package. It’s always been that way and simply because that ERP solution can now be on the cloud does not change that fact. The chances are slim to none that any single ERP package, cloud or on-premise, will ever provide “out of the box” 100 percent of the functionality required by 100 percent of the installed base.

What to Understand

Most everyone agrees. With Cloud ERP, an organization can reduce its IT operational costs by outsourcing hardware and software maintenance and support to the cloud provider. In addition, with the ERP system hosted centrally, updates can be released without the need for the users themselves to install new versions of the software, an important point regarding ERP enhancements. Pricing is more attractive because the “up front” costs of typical On-Premise ERP systems are deferred and spread over the life of the use of the software.

So, while Cloud ERP demonstrates cost savings in almost every area – hardware, IT personnel, etc. – it only stands to reason that more evaluation and analysis must be spent to determine how easy it is to customize and add enhancements to Cloud ERP systems. New public cloud platforms, such as Salesforce’s Force.com, offer significant advantages for IT departments to easily provide their own customizations to ERP Cloud software written natively on the public cloud platform. Recognizing that there is a significant difference, and benefit, to the open systems on a public cloud, IT management can make informed decisions on which Cloud ERP solution will provide a quicker payback and higher return on investment, especially when considering that those latent customization projects can be controlled by the customer rather than the software provider.

Author Bio

Pat Garrehy is the Founder, President, and CEO for Rootstock Software® and has an extensive background as a software architect and engineer. As a University of California at Berkeley graduate, he holds a BS degree in business and mathematics as well as a MBA in finance from the University of Southern California.

When Does Cloud ERP Start Saving Money?

February 15, 2013
 
Companies that implement a cloud ERP solution are yielding significant and tangible cost reductions in both IT staff and hardware infrastructure in addition to the intangible benefits of cloud solutions, such as access anytime from anywhere from virtually any device. Because of such impressive benefits, the interest in cloud ERP is growing and installations are multiplying. However, to imply that organizations will find implementations to be a joyous and happy time, simply because of “the cloud,” is to set expectations that are nearly impossible to meet. Cloud ERP Cost Diagram That’s because a major component of an implementation that does not change is the ability of a company to absorb and learn new ERP software. Even cloud ERP requires dedicated time and documentation, sometimes an instructor, to train employees on the use of the new ERP software. Although some cloud ERP software vendors would like you to believe otherwise, just because it is in the cloud, doesn’t necessarily mean it is significantly easier to implement than On-Premise software. After all, the various aspects of implementing a cloud ERP solution versus an On-Premise system remain the same. There is the Analysis of the Business Requirements; and, sometimes, even more Business Process Re-Engineering. Users must be trained. The implementation encompasses the pilot of key functions, the conversion of data from the prior system (or Excel spreadsheets), and the various aspects of “customer go live on the ERP.” Nonetheless, with a cloud ERP implementation, a company does eliminate many of the hidden costs of implementing an On-Premise solution including the acquisition of hardware, operating system software, database management software and other infrastructure products. Not only do these items carry significant costs but come with built-in delays affecting the project. And, when all is said and done, the largest cost savings may be the ability to start and complete the entire implementation project without having to make that large up-front investment in perpetual license and maintenance fees that are characteristic of On-Premise solutions. With this said, though, there is still a learning curve, albeit one that most companies are prepared to handle. “Been There; Done That!” For the most part, newer ERP software is easier to use – once you know how to use it! That’s the promise of each new addition of Windows too – but is this a reality? Yes, it is – once you know how to use it! However, no matter how it is sliced and diced, no matter how good a software system is documented, full-featured ERP software, Cloud or On-Premise, have complexities and nuances that take some time to understand and absorb. Bottom line – implementation efficiency is not gained because of “the cloud” or that the new software is promoted as “next generation.” Efficiency is gained because ERP is not a new concept and most companies have formerly undertaken ERP implementations. Their management and employees know the problems that occur during implementation and are now prepared to respond more quickly. They can compare and contrast what they are doing now versus what they did in the past. Today, they appreciate what is needed to implement an ERP, including –
  • Commitment – The customer’s executives and management are committed to the implementation of the new software.
  • Resources – Management allocates the proper amount of resources to assure success.
  • Experience – The experience of the assigned implementation team can bring efficiencies and lessons learned from previous ERP implantation to the project.
  • Right Partner – The company hires a software vendor that not only has truly figured out how to have all the functionality needed in the software but has actually made that software less complex and easier to turn on.
Once their software is up, running and fully implemented, companies can even more appreciate the benefits of cloud ERP. Although they have cut infrastructure expenses from the very beginning, it’s at this point they really begin to appreciate the cost reductions in both IT staff and hardware infrastructure that only cloud ERP can provide, not to mention the intangibles that typically exceed expectations. Author Bio Pat Garrehy is the Founder, President, and CEO for Rootstock Software® and has an extensive background as a software architect and engineer. As a University of California at Berkeley graduate, he holds a BS degree in business and mathematics as well as a MBA in finance from the University of Southern California.

Multi-Tenant vs. Hosted Cloud ERP – Pros and Cons

February 11, 2013
 
There is a general consensus that, by 2023, most of the installed MFG ERP systems will be Cloud-based. But, will they be multi-tenant or hosted? There are arguments for both. However, only one will win out. Let’s take a look at each. Multi-Tenant: The Rule of One – In a multi-tenant environment, the is only one copy of the application software, one operating system and one data base supporting multiple organizations on a single bank of servers. As a result, it is easier to deploy and maintain one version of the ERP software versus a hosted solution which must replicate the application software for each individual customer. Since it is less expensive for the ERP application multi-tenant cloud software providers to support deployment of their software to their customers, this cost savings can be passed onto them. And, in those situations where there is a critical fix or system upgrade that needs to get out to hundreds, even thousands, of customers, the fix or upgrade can be done as soon as it is ready with a multi-tenant cloud ERP. Virtually all new business application software that is being developed today is being created for the cloud and a multi-tenant environment, not a hosted environment. Why Would Hosted Be a Consideration? – First of all, there is certainly a benefit to having legacy software deployed on a server off-site compared to legacy software deployed on hardware at the customer’s site. While the customer will still pay hosting costs, the organization will no longer have the expense of needing in-house IT staff to support hardware. Secondly, many want to hold onto their older legacy software for while longer. Present legacy software is typically more functional than the newer Cloud ERP software. However, that’s today’s status and this is rapidly changing. Most analysts believe that the equivalency of several Cloud ERP software solutions will exist within two to four years as more and more development dollars are poured in Cloud ERP solutions while little or no development dollars are being invested in on-premise legacy software. This means that, if the customer is transferring the hosting of their on-premise legacy software to a hosted environment, they are buying into a model that is only a stop-gap initiated by the on-premise software vendors to lengthen the use of their on-premise software. However, it is questionable if the hosted on-premise cloud solution could ever effectively take advantage of the newer trends of mobile and collaboration benefits as well as its multi-tenant Cloud ERP counterparts will. The Future Is . . . – Over time, newer technologies and emerging software vendors will end up working in collaboration with each other in multi-tenant environments at a price that is much less expensive price than hosted alternatives. In fact, it’s happening now. In May of 2012, Rootstock and FinancialForce.com, announced an agreement to deliver a native end-to-end supply chain and accounting solution for Salesforce.com customers including Astrum Solar, a full-service residential solar provider headquartered in Annapolis Junction, Md. By uniting manufacturing and supply chain applications with accounting, Salesforce CRM customers like Astrum Solar can gain deeper operational insights and control while minimizing painful and costly IT infrastructure modifications. The power of a shared platform enabled Rootstock and FinancialForce.com to quickly build a seamless integration between the applications that couldn’t be achieved if they didn’t share the same data model. Author Bio Pat Garrehy is the president and CEO of Rootstock.

Cloud Computing and Your Small Biz: Is It a Match Made in Heaven?

January 31, 2013
 
Cloud computing — you’ve heard of it, you may even be using it without realizing it. What is it exactly, and what potential benefits does it offer for your small business? As the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) points out, cloud computing has been around in some way, shape or form for years. Facebook, Gmail and Flickr are just three applications of the technology that many of us use daily to store comments, photos, videos and other content in the cloud. But that are many other applications, says the SBA. Cloud ERP business continuity “Imagine being able to log onto a website and access all the tools and programs that your employees need to do their jobs without having to invest in lots of standalone software licenses,” it notes. “What if you could access all your office productivity tools (email, calendar, word processing, databases, invoicing, CRM, intranet, etc.) from any location or device? What’s more, all the software management and trouble-shooting can be done by the cloud service provider, freeing up your IT resources.” Cloud computing — and cloud providers like Google, Microsoft and Oracle — make all this possible. And the technology is beginning to catch on, according to 2011 Cloud Computing Tracking Poll conducted by CDW, a provider of technology solutions. Twenty-eight percent of U.S. organizations were using cloud computing at the time of the survey, with most (73 percent) reporting that their first step into the cloud was implementation of a single cloud application. Services most commonly operated in the cloud are commodity applications such as email (50 percent of cloud users), file storage (39 percent), web and video conferencing (36 and 32 percent, respectively), and online learning (34 percent). “Many organizations are carefully — and selectively — moving into cloud computing, as well they should, because it represents a significant shift in how computing resources are provided and managed,” says David Cottingham, senior director, managed services at CDW. “With thoughtful planning, organizations can realize benefits that align directly with their organizational goals: consolidated IT infrastructure, reduced IT energy and capital costs, and ‘anywhere’ access to documents and applications.” There are also cost savings to consider. The survey reveals that 76 percent of the small businesses implementing or maintaining cloud computing have successfully reduced the cost of applications by moving them to the cloud. The SBA points out that there are three main areas where savings occur: 1. The initial capital investment and the ongoing support infrastructure (your IT headcount) needed to install and run hardware and software is done by the cloud service provider. 2. You only pay for the “seats” that you need on monthly basis. If you bring on new employees you can easily scale up without having to invest in new licenses. 3. If you tend to use software in spikes, you pay only for your usage, making it a more cost-effective model than paying a premium for a piece of software that sits idle most of the time. Besides shifting IT, data storage and backup to the cloud, what other business tools should you move? The SBA suggests cloud email (Microsoft Office 365 and Gmail for Business), invoicing (integrated time sheets, sales data, automatic billing) and marketing (email broadcasts, social media, virtual events). Since cloud services are delivered over the Internet and hosted on servers that essentially are shared by subscribers of the service, a discussion of cloud computing isn’t complete without addressing security concerns. As a small business owner, be sure to ask questions of your service provider regarding data encryption, assess the security controls your provider has in place (such as firewall controls) and then match them to protect your business and your customers. Author Bio Beth Longware Duff is a professional editor and award-winning writer whose work on a wide variety of topics has been published in print and electronic media. She currently writes on a wide range of topics dealing with electronic payment processing for www.MerchantExpress.com.

How Cloud Computing Improves Productivity

January 16, 2013
 
Productivity is valued in every workplace, but there are differing schools of thought as to how best to achieve it. Some businesses prefer a lot of structure and accountability, while others advocate a more flexible and permissive environment, giving employees more freedom and latitude. One of the ways productivity has been increased of late is via the development of cloud computing. It cannot be denied that cloud computing is having a tremendous positive effect upon integrating technology and making life easier overall. This is also true in the workplace, and more and more businesses are reaping its benefits. In the past, traditional IT has managed inter-office communications, information logging, file sharing, data storage, and team and collaborative efforts. All of this used to require a more hands-on and managed approach. However, many of these functions are now being handled remotely by the cloud, which in itself is a boost to efficiency in the workplace. Here are three additional ways the cloud is impacting business productivity:   1. Support of Existing as Well as Emerging Technologies The evolving technology that drives the cloud allows it to make use of any current application or software type. Apps and updates can be packaged with other processes and programs, then easily copied and duplicated. With traditional IT, packaged processes were not easily transferred among users; this had the effect of slowing down productivity and creating more work for the IT department. Through cloud computing, software solutions are adaptable and new technologies can be deployed almost instantaneously as they emerge. Additionally, there are already a vast number of existing cloud-based services available to make all office operations run more smoothly, from the basic infrastructure to more complex functions. 2. The Cloud Offers Flexibility and Scalability With the time and energy freed up by a cloud solution, employees will have more latitude to be more creative as well as more productive. Instead of having to contact and coordinate with IT personnel to gain access to the types of software and services needed, there is immediate access to these services via the cloud. Changing or upgrading to the desired services is often just a phone call or a mouse click away. Whether a business needs to scale up or scale back, since the cloud is subscription-based, this can all be done in a very nimble and efficient way as business needs and goals change over time. 3. Improved Inter-Office Communication and Access One of the most undeniable ways that the cloud improves productivity is through a more integrated and connected staff than ever before. The cloud allows for instant and comprehensive collaboration among your employees and teams designated to specific projects. The cloud allows users to stay in sync in real time, with all members of a team having access to the most current and most recently updated versions. Whether it’s a project, document or file, everyone is always on the same page. Team members do not even have to share the same office space; using cloud technology, users can be scattered around the globe and still collaborate effectively. Also, staff members are no longer bound by regular office hours; they can put in time around the clock with full access to the same resources that available during regular business hours. Although the switch to the cloud may result in some initial shifting of your IT staff, the short and long term benefits are undeniable. The cloud offers seamless automation and integration of services it used to take many staff members to handle. These resources are now free to be devoted to other matters, including creative solutions and growing your business. To say that cloud computing increases productivity would indeed be an understatement. Cloud computing is revolutionizing the way we work and live, resulting in a seamless integration of resources from work to home. With inter-office activities streamlined, productivity skyrockets. Simply put, the cloud is just good business. Author Bio Matt Smith is a Dell employee who writes to help raise awareness on the topic of Cloud Computing and other network management subjects.

Analysis of Cloud ERP Applications

December 19, 2012
 
When we analyze Cloud ERP Applications today, we have three major categories to choose from. They include well-funded legacy applications that have attempted to keep up with technology. They also include SaaS developed applications from the mid-2000’s and new Cloud ERP players. Analysis Group #1: Well-Funded Legacy Players Includes: Sage Software, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor and others who were the leaders in the 1990’s. Cloud Offering: For many of these solutions the only “Cloud” option you have is a private cloud consisting of VMware, Microsoft Hyper V and remote desktop connectivity. Benefits: The legacy of these applications is such that you will have access to a plethora of features, functionality and ISV products to round out the needs of your organization. Drawbacks: Today, none of the legacy players have a real Cloud ERP solution. Their applications are written in Visual Basic or Dexterity and they are not easily recoded to .Net Cloud technology. Therefore, stopgap measures have to be introduced including using Silverlight (possibly another dying technology) or rewriting the entire application. Analysis Group #2: SaaS Solutions Includes: NetSuite, SMBSuite, Intacct, Aplicor. Cloud Offering: Each of these solutions have a SaaS offering. The application is deployed on the publisher’s infrastructure and is managed by the publisher. Benefits: These early adopters were the market leaders for many years. In many circumstances they continue to be leaders in specialized vertical solutions. Drawbacks: The publisher owns the platform, your data, your access and every aspect of the relationship. Migrations are difficult since your data is only available through complex reporting and query tools. Analysis Group #3: New Cloud ERP Solutions Includes: Acumatica Cloud Offering: Acumatica was written with platform independence, .Net architecture and multiple deployment options to give you flexibility, affordability and scalability. Benefits: With Acumatica or any other application architecture of this sophistication, you have platform independence. This means that you can host the application internally, on a partner’s site or on any number of IaaS sites such as Microsoft Azure, Reviora or Peak Colo in Colorado. Further, Acumatica’s licensing model is to license the application in Suites of functionality such as Financials, Distribution, CRM, and Project. In this model, you own the data and control every aspect of the deployment. Robust customization tools provide integration services, report writing, dashboarding, custom screens and processes as well as a platform for add-on product development. Drawbacks: The licensing model is not a monthly “pay as you go” model or any consumption based model. Instead you pay for the Suites which can be a barrier to entry. However, their SaaS model has a reduced cost of entry but an ongoing cost of service. The SaaS model does not require any server hardware or software. Cloud Application Guidance Before you make a decision on which Cloud ERP application to deploy, I want to leave you with the following recommendations. First, “know thyself” and understand your business well before venturing into a new ERP application. I have had many instances where I have come into a business only to have multiple people give me multiple versions of what they do. The CEO, CFO, Manufacturing, Warehouse and other departments may not be on the same page. So take time to understand your real needs before moving forward. Next, do your homework. If you don’t have time for homework, contract with a trusted and independent source to do it for you. However, you must be able to research and understand who the Cloud publishers are who can meet your needs. Do not forget about the future. Think three to ten years down the road because it will likely be that long before you replace an ERP system again. Make sure you identify new business opportunities that may need to be accounted for. Further, make sure that your solution is easily customizable, expandable and flexible. This means being able to customize screens and reports easily. It includes being able to add fields to the database and screen to do advanced data capture. It also means being able to intercept business logic to insert your own. A solution that doesn’t have these features will quickly, even with the best homework, become obsolete. Finally, find a partner (not the software publisher) who will work with you to understand your requirements and show you how their solution will meet your needs. Do not settle for a partner who doesn’t take interest in your business. If they are not interested in you while “dating” how will they support you when you are “married”? Finally, make sure that key decision makers in your organization are sufficiently knowledgeable about the solutions you are about to evaluate. Avoid Frankenstein Cloud ERP applications are the future of business solutions, this is certain. However, the whole market is changing and has changed around Cloud Computing. Take, for example, Dynamics GP and NAV solutions from Microsoft. These applications were first published in the early 1990’s when Windows was the disruptive technology. Since then, the code that runs the application has grown to millions of lines of code. Even with that, the applications themselves are incomplete. So, the publisher, Microsoft, has spent a lot of time and energy building an ecosystem around their products to provide functionality as simple as credit card processing to as complex as workflow and document management. Having configured Dynamics solutions for enterprises, I find that I spend a lot of time building a Frankenstein. The body of the solution is Dynamics but the document management may be DocLink, the credit card processing is Azox and many other solutions are added onto the body to make it complete. The result is something that looks like Frankenstein. It is a financial monster because it is expensive to put together all the parts. It is a technological monster because keeping everything integrated requires herculean efforts on the part of IT. It is an upgrade monster because the moment you upgrade one component you have to touch all the other components. With Acumatica ERP and CRM, you receive out of the box functionality for: Wikis, Document Management, Deferred Revenue, Shipping, Credit Card Processing, Project Accounting, CRM integration with Project Time Entry, Integration Services, Web Services, Reporting, Workflow, E-mail, printing of logos by putting just one logo in the system and it propagates through all reports, Grid Reordering/Personalization and much more. My conclusion is that it is not enough to find a Cloud ERP Solution. It is important to remember the total cost of ownership when evaluating your needs. Conclusions Cloud ERP applications are the future of business solutions. However, having your ERP and CRM in the Cloud is just not enough. You need to be assured that your solution is scalable to your business needs. Further, you need to own your own data and have the option to move between a private, public or hybrid cloud if necessary to support your business processes. In this model you can grow your business, accommodate any seasonality or fluctuations in your business and not be hamstrung by yesterday’s technology. Author Bio: Robert Houdeshell is a Cloud ERP Solutions Expert with two decades of experience in deploying ERP and CRM to small and midsize businesses. Robert has created private and highly integrated hybrid cloud solutions utilizing Dynamics GP and CRM. His vision and leadership helps clients overcome operational deficiencies through cost effective solutions. Currently, Robert owns his own company called Strata ERP Cloud Solutions – focusing on Acumatica ERP and CRM.

Is Your Company Equipped to Deal with the Change of New Accounting and Inventory Management Software?

December 11, 2012
 

Any sort of change within an organization can seem daunting – especially when it involves large investments of money and a high learning curve such as purchasing and implementing a new accounting and inventory management system. However, if one thing is inevitable in the world, it is change, and with the right tools and attitude, a major organizational change can have very positive results.  In the business world this is especially true for small companies who have been continuously growing and must embrace the changes that come with growth. You can either move forward or risk losing it all.

Investing in a new accounting and inventory management system, although seemingly expensive in terms of money and resources, is an investment that will be worth it in order to achieve future growth and profits.  Oftentimes, the reluctance to change only stems from the unprecedented effects it will have on the company and not the actual investment of money and resources.  But as technology continues to change and develop, more than ever before, implementing new software within your business has the potential to generate high ROI far into the future.

Below is a summary of the steps involved in a successful software change.

1. Think Why                                    

Knowing why new accounting and inventory management software needs to be implemented is a key factor in the success of the implementation – why current processes are not sufficient and why there needs to be changes to current reporting procedures.  It is important that all employees know what the goals of the proposed changes are and how they will be valuable to the employees and company as a whole.  Specifically this could mean reducing data entry errors with accounting software, or reducing stock outs with inventory management software.  In order to fully understand the benefits one must look at the big picture and over-arching reason for implementing a new software system.  If all employees within the organization understand and agree with the reasons, than the implementation and transition to using the new software will be much smoother.

2. Think Long Term

Briefly mentioned above, looking at the big picture and long-term benefits of changing software will help confirm why it needed to be changed in the first place.  Focus on the final outcomes vs. immediate impacts.  Focus on how, with new accounting and inventory management software, your company will benefit by being able to do things such as; reduce accounting errors, better track products, efficiently manage inventory and serve more customers.  Identify the benefits the software will have on each aspect of the company immediately and into the future.  This will help provide a purpose for the new software.

3.Think Short Term

Although seemingly contradictory to the factor mentioned before, this simply means to not get overwhelmed with the details by instead focusing on one task at a time.  Have a plan and follow it.  Design a schedule for each stage of the process.  Begin with the software search, then the proposal and sale stage and lastly the implementation stage. Knowing what each stage encompasses and the resources that need to be dedicated to each stage will make the process easier.

4. Think Same

Although implementing new accounting and inventory management software can seem like a huge change, it is important to focus on what isn’t going to change in order to realize that many things, in fact, won’t be changing.  What your company actually does will remain the same with just new processes in place to compliment this.  The people working in your organization will remain the same – they will now just be better equipped to accomplish their tasks. The location and infrastructure of your company will remain the same with minor changes and updates that will keep the company forward looking with modern equipment.  For example, even though your warehouse will remain the same, new inventory management software will make it easier to fulfill and track orders.

5. Think Principles

Processes, technologies, and priorities might change but the underlying principles, values and culture that exist within your company will not.  If you find yourself caught up in all the changes happening, take a moment to focus on the underlying principles that make your company successful and how the changes will benefit these.  As a company that prides itself on customer service – will the new software help manage CRM better? As a company that is known for fast and reliable delivery – will the new software better keep track of inventory and shipments? As a company known for providing products worldwide – will the new software ensure exchange rates and different currencies are being properly accounted for? New accounting and inventory management software does not have to change current principles or practices – just improve upon them.

Remember, investing in a new accounting and inventory management system can be overwhelming, but it can also be exciting, as it will allow your company to grow into the future.  Change is inevitable so the best way to deal with it is to fully understand what it means for your company and follow the steps listed above.

Stick-to-itiveness: 3 Steps to Continually Refine Your CRM

December 1, 2011
 
Each dollar spent on CRM yields $5.60 in benefits, according to a recent report. Though the findings are interesting, the methodology is questionable. The 70 participating companies were customers of a firm that had been profiled in case studies, meaning that they were not necessarily typical CRM users. Still, it's worth noting that the companies that contributed to the numbers were embodying a trait of successful CRM users simply by engaging with the firm and seeking an outsider's viewpoint of their CRM activities. That trait could be described colloquially as "stick-to-itiveness."

« Older Entries