One of the best ways to leverage your ERP is to centralize it for greater overall transparency. Ideally, this will lead to better-informed decision-making and stronger institutional performance.

In order to drive that centralization, integrating CRMs and other crucial applications with your ERP is important.

How about your payment processing software? Integration could be beneficial, but it's bound to bring some strain, too.

Is it worth the effort?

Problem: Payment processing systems are targets for hackers

Payment processing systems handle a wealth of personal information that can be highly attractive to hackers, as we've seen time and again.

By selling personal information, including credit card numbers and other financial details, or by freezing these systems through the use of ransomware, cybercriminals can do a lot of damage with payment processing data.

Why it's worth it: Increase payment processing security during the process

The fact of the matter is that payment processing will always be a target for bad actors, regardless of whether your system is integrated or if it operates independently.

In fact, if you begin the process of deciding how to best integrate your payment processing system with your ERP, you start considering updating or changing your payment processing partner to something that's more compatible with your existing ERP. If this is the case, you can strongly prioritize cybersecurity during the decision-making process, helping you get a fresh start with a more robust system.

Problem: It costs money upfront

Integrating these two systems doesn't happen automatically. You may face costs associated with changing software vendors, upgrading your systems or replacing outdated hardware. If you don't already have the technical expertise on your team to take care of this endeavor, then you may need to hire outside support, too.

Why it's worth it: Long-term savings

There are two ways you stand to save money over time by integrating your ERP and payment processing systems:

1. You'll save on labor costs because you'll eliminate manual re-entry of payment processing information into your accounting and inventory channels.
2. You'll have enhanced visibility into your day-to-day financial operations, which means you'll handle your cash flow more efficiently.

Additional reasons to integrate

As an added advantage of integrating these two systems, by limiting manual data re-entry, you expose your data sets to less potential for human error, meaning you'll achieve greater accuracy and more consistent reporting across channels.

At Accent Software, we have experience supporting ERP implementations and integrations for clients in the manufacturing sector. Reach out today to find out how we can help.

At the end of the 2010s, cloud computing was certainly on the uptick. In fact, Gartner predicted recently that spending on worldwide public cloud services would grow 17.5% over the previous year.

If trends continue, the coming decade will see an influx of companies moving their on-prem solutions to the public cloud.

Is now the right time for an ERP migration that moves your legacy system to the sky?

Benefits of the cloud

More than just keeping up with the Joneses, an ERP migration to the cloud can provide your organization with tangible benefits.

Continuous updates

Instead of being constrained by your on-prem resources, a cloud-based ERP solution gets continuous updates that improve functionality and quickly patch newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Shift the security burden

Cybersecurity is a major hurdle for some companies as they weigh the pros and cons of moving to a cloud-based solution. While there is inherent risk built into the migration, as long as you can verify whether your provider assumes responsibility for data security and protection, a cloud system could relieve you of that burden and actually be a huge upgrade.

Enhanced recovery

Migrating your ERP to the cloud could also improve your ERP's resiliency in disaster scenarios, assuming your provider is well-equipped to handle these situations. Hybrid on-premises and cloud solutions can help you further mitigate this risk.

What's the risk of an ERP migration?

First of all, the most obvious consideration: What do you do with your hardware? Once you move your ERP to the cloud, existing on-premises tech could be a drain, unless it's thoughtfully repurposed. As we mentioned above, this is an opportunity for you to add redundancy that improves security, or for you to warehouse old data you don't need in the cloud yet, but that you're not prepared to dump

Any ERP migration carries risk with it, as well as organizational strain. Without proper technological planning and change management strategies in place, you could experience some turbulence as you switch systems, and moving to the cloud does include some added complexity.

Carefully plan out your ERP migration. One of the first things you need to consider is how you'll frame this journey.

Is this an ERP migration to the cloud or a fresh start with SaaS?

It's a migration if:

Your current users are accurately maintaining the data in your ERP, and smooth processes ensure that you're deriving the greatest value possible out of your current setup. In this case, you'll map current processes onto the new system and encourage change where it needs to occur.

Consider yourself to be starting fresh if:

You need to implement process changes that enable your users to better understand the value of updated data and proper use of the ERP. In this situation, you may need to redesign processes for the cloud-based system from scratch while generating buy-in at your organization.

If your operation is considering migrating an ERP to the cloud this year, reach out to Accent Software to find out how we can help.

The modern business world is complicated, and competition is fierce, so proactive organizational leaders can't afford to rely on ad hoc systems to manage their operations.

ERP and CRM systems are pivotal in today's operational environments. Both these solutions help enterprises share data smoothly among departments, facilitating greater collaboration and driving efficiency.

ERPs and CRMs might seem like they're similar at first glance. How do their functions overlap and diverge? How do they relate to each other, if at all? Is it better to combine these solutions under one house or use them separately?

What are ERP and CRM?

Let's first take a look at each application individually to see what it does and who it's primary users are.

ERP

ERP stands for enterprise resource planning. What does that mean? It means that this software solution typically helps its users manage the flow of information for back-office functions. This means that it has a broad impact on operations in the factory and warehouse. It also interacts with procurement functions, and it can connect to payroll and HR, too.

CRM

CRM stands for customer relationship management software. As you might infer, this is more of a front-office solution, focused on sales, customer service and interactions with clients, prospects and leads. It may be connected to marketing efforts as well.

How are ERP and CRM systems connected?

There are several different ways that ERP and CRM systems can work together within an organization.

ERP with CRM capabilities included

Many large ERP systems include some CRM capabilities within their baseline functions. ERPs are generally intended to be comprehensive, so they may provide more functionality than their users actually leverage. Typically, the CRM features included within an ERP are limited in scope and can feel unwieldy for their end users.

ERP with CRM module added on

Like the previous formation, some ERPs offer CRM add-ons or modules on top of what's built into the ERP. These solutions are typically a bit easier for the end user, and they integrate readily with the associated ERP.

Separate ERP and CRM solutions

Some businesses use an entirely separate CRM purchased through a third party instead of through the company that manages their ERP. These standalone CRMs are typically geared toward sales and customer service end users, and integration with an existing ERP can be more difficult.

What are the benefits of integrating ERP and CRM systems?

Regardless of which setup you use, it's usually possible to integrate your ERP and CRM solutions.

The possibilities opened up by fully syncing these two systems will depend on your business. In the retail world, e-commerce operations may find these integration efforts particularly useful, since their costumers crave insight into the kind of data that's housed in ERPs.

No matter what you do though, a well-maintained CRM could enable you to anticipate demand better on the supply side and to manage customer expectations more accurately on the front end.

If you're looking for the ERP system that's right for you and your CRM, and you need a trusted partner to help you implement it, Accent Software is here to help.

The demand for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is growing. A recent report from Technavio indicated that the ERP market will accelerate at a 9% compound annual growth rate over the next five years, with much of the expansion due to rising need in North American and increasing adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises.

For organizations that want to realize greater gains and efficiencies by purchasing and implementing a new ERP system, there are many options to consider, including whether they should go with a mobile ERP solution.

Since many ERPs are already based in the cloud and accessible online, you might already think of them as mobile ERPs. For our purposes, a mobile ERP is one that has prioritized mobile use in its features and interface. Accessing the ERP solely through a web browser is less likely to drive mobile adoption for users than a solution that emphasizes mobile experience.

Here's why a mobile ERP solution might make sense.

Greater responsiveness

When an ERP solution is integrated with users' mobile devices, their ability to input data on the fly increases their responsiveness to enterprise functioning. When they carry a mobile device with them onto the shop floor, they can update business information as it happens instead of hours later, which also improves accuracy. Routine tasks are no longer separated from data input functions. These operations can now happen in sync, keeping ERPs regularly updated and making individual contributors more productive.

Better use of cloud ERP functionality

Though there are other ERP systems that also rely on cloud computing instead of onsite or third-party servers, mobile ERPs may make better use of their functionality. If workers use the mobile ERP interface in a responsive manner, making adjustments as changes occur, then there is less lag in connected workflows. Cascading actions occur with the help of the ERP more quickly because decisions, and responses, occur in real time.

Improved customer service

Mobile ERP enables greater transparency for customers, too. Depending on how the system is configured, the customer's view into company operations also benefits from the improved speed and accuracy that comes from on-the-go mobile updates. Customers who have greater insight into operations have expectations that are accurate, verifiable and easier to manage. Giving customers that direct insight into company activity also lessens the burden on customer service personnel, since there will be fewer questions for them to answer.

Streamlined interfaces

Paring down applications for mobile touch screens generally forces software designers to bring the most important user functions to the fore. Different ERP solutions will vary in how they prioritize user experience on mobile devices, so compare the functionality of different interfaces to determine which will suit your needs best. You should also consult with your software solution provider to see if they have any suggestions for what mobile ERP might work best for your needs, or if they're aware of any custom workarounds.

Accent Software can help you find the mobile ERP system that's right for you and integrate it with your systems in a way that meets your needs.