Integration of ERP Systems: Key Insights for Growing Companies

The integration of ERP systems becomes a necessity for companies, especially when they begin to grow steadily over time and see their needs change.

Business software has significantly reduced in price, so it is not unusual for businesses to acquire several programs. Thus, after a few years, they realise that their information is scattered, creating what is known as data silos.

Cloud ERPs Eliminate Data Silos

How is the problem of isolated data solved? There are several ways, but one of the best is to put ERP systems in the cloud.

This achieves:

1. Unifying information.
2. Making it accessible to all members of the company from any terminal with Internet.

Moreover, the cloud also solves another problem, that of hardware. Many companies, especially smaller ones, could not afford the necessary servers to have information online, nor did they have the capacity to pay for its maintenance.

Now, with a monthly fee, everything is in the cloud and there is no need to have a physical server, allowing teams to collaborate regardless of their location.

Impact on Customer Experience

Since the creation of ERPs, there has been a misconception about them. It was thought that they were for that part of the business that is not visible and does not impact customer experience, but that is not true.

In fact, modern ERPs have a lot to do with customers, as they help ensure that their orders arrive much sooner at their homes or businesses.

As a result, the customer:

1. Can see, from a single place, the status of their purchase.
2. Can check if there are any issues with their order.
3. Can self-manage what happens with their purchase, without calling customer service departments.

AI is Already in ERPs

The emergence of AI is the most significant revolution for businesses since the arrival of the Internet, and it has already been incorporated into ERPs.

However, it must be integrated in a way that is useful, and here we must talk about the data generated by any company over the years. There are thousands of records that were very complex to analyse until now.

It is now possible to do so thanks to artificial intelligence data analysis, at a minimal cost, allowing businesses to make decisions and anticipate problems, such as the dreaded stockouts.

Custom Development is Becoming Easier

All ERPs started out being very similar, but over time, creators realised that companies need customised development.

Fortunately, these developments are now easier, partly thanks to AI. By leveraging it, those who create ERPs can adapt them to the needs of each client, respecting the company culture and the way it operates.