Your ERP Options: Sometimes You Just Gotta Go With It

Does ERP make you think of another three-letter capitalization – ARG? It shouldn’t. Your ERP options are numerous, and that means so are your opportunities for finding the on-demand, on-premise or open source solution that does what ERP should do – streamlines your total data across workflows to seriously impact your business.

Dive In and Look at Your ERP Options, It’s Worth It

Why look at ERP options? Lots of reasons. Once the data has been integrated into an ERP solution, you can expect better sales forecasting tools that are linked with inventory. You can expect more solid order tracking processes, all the way through to shipping. Also look for more comprehensive and impactful abilities to track your entire revenue stream.

Try Addressing It From a Category Perspective

As you delve into a list of ERP options, it would be easy to get sidetracked by free demos and current trends. Try looking first at three major categories of ERP options: on-premise, open-source or SaaS. If you choose on-premise deployment, you’re looking for ERP options that have software to install on your server within your organization, and your staff has constant access to the software in this method.

If you choose SaaS or on-demand for your ERP options, your team must have Internet access in order to access your ERP applications and data, but you don’t have to manage the software or the server upgrades. Open source is another option for your list of ERP options. One benefit of open source is that you can access the technology from top minds in the industry and try out solutions as add-ons or supplements to what you already have in place.
Look at Leading ERP Options for Examples of Functionality

If you’re a smaller or mid-sized organization, consider a vendor like BizAutomation for a list of on-demand criteria for ERP. The software offers the basics for ERP – CRM, online financials and accounting, and complete access to enterprise-level planning tools, all developed for Microsoft.NET. You can access technology like the ability to process multi-company data and manage several currencies simultaneously with this vendor, and of course, a Service Level Agreement. Another award-winning on-demand provider that might make your list of ERP options is Aplicor, which stands out for offering ERP tools that are matched to specific industries.

On-Premise ERP Leaders Deliver Strong Integration

For on-premise ERP options, SAP remains one of the world’s most utilized. Its solutions for accounting, distribution, payroll, managing supply chains and more are known for being well-integrated. However, SAP may take more time and more financial resources than competitors. One of its top competitors, Oracle, streamlines the core functions of ERP – inventory, finances and accounting, manufacturing workflows, quality control and more – with a track record of helping organizations hold on to their success.

Open Source ERP Allows for Open Discussions in ERP Options