Three Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Manufacturing ERP

The manufacturing industry has faced many challenges over the last several years, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain challenges, supply shortages, and more. It’s challenging for any business to navigate these challenges as well as tracking changing regulatory or legal requirements. That’s where software comes in. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to be exact. The forerunners to modern ERP software were born in the manufacturing sector, and it’s easy to see why.

Not all ERP software is able to meet the needs of modern manufacturing businesses. You need software that fits the way your business operates. Software that will streamline your operations and financials and track your supply chain from end to end.

Here are the top three signs that it’s time to upgrade your ERP.

1. You don’t have the data or access you need to make real-time business decisions.

A modern manufacturing ERP should provide you with visibility into real-time data across your business. That allows you to make the best decisions and adapt quickly to a changing landscape. Your forecasts will always be up to date and everyone across your business will have access to the same data. Sometimes, legacy software that worked great when you started out stops meeting the needs of your growing business. Employees may have to use an ever-growing number of manual workarounds, which means you aren’t getting the benefit of real-time data visibility. If your ERP is slowing down your business operations, it must be time to look at upgrading your software to something that better fits the needs of your business.

2. Your ERP doesn’t integrate well with other systems.

A good ERP solution should offer robust integrations with other technologies. You may want to connect your ERP with a CRM, hand-held scanners, additional inventory management tools, marketing automation platforms, and more. Legacy software may not support all the integrations your business needs, or it may offer shallow integrations that don’t allow you to advantage of the full functionality and flexibility these systems have to offer. If finding integrations that work with your ERP is taking up more and more of your employees’ time, or if your software doesn’t support integrations that provide the functionality your business needs, it might be time to look into a platform that can.

3. Your ERP has become too expensive or difficult to maintain

Nearly everyone has experienced the rising cost of repairs and more frequent breakdowns that come with owning an older car. Those additional costs often play a large role when people decide to trade in their old vehicles for something new. Unfortunately, supporting a legacy software platform can involve the same challenges as having an older vehicle. Over the years, your IT staff may have created many custom workarounds that require additional maintenance. Your software may not be able to support your rising transaction volumes or may perform needed functions like automatic roll-ups and reconciliations. The one employee who supports your ERP and knows it inside and out may retire or take another position. It’s easy for these types of costs to creep up over time until your company overpaying for a system that no longer meets your needs. Your IT and accounting staff have many responsibilities. A good ERP system should make their jobs easier, not harder.

It’s Time to Switch to a New Manufacturing ERP

A modern, cloud-based ERP provides real-time data visibility across your business. It’s accessible from anytime and any device as long as the user has the correct credentials and an internet connection. Cloud-based systems are easier and cheaper to maintain and update automatically. That means every employee will always be using the current version of your ERP, complete with the latest security and compliance updates.

How We Can Help

At CertiPro, we are experts in helping manufacturing businesses find the right software solutions to fit their needs. We provide Sage ERP software, eCommerce integration solutions, and inventory counting tools.  We take the time to understand your business and your employees’ needs so you get solutions that are perfectly tailored to your business. Please click the buttons below to contact us or learn more.