Every business has its own set of risks and vulnerabilities. As information technology (IT) within businesses has grown to take up strategic importance, their rapid deployment and lack of regulatory compliance creates risk. These deficiencies in IT monitoring and maintenance can have a significant impact on your organization. While new IT risks may arise every day as a byproduct of technological advancements, it’s always beneficial to have an idea about what you must defend against, to be better prepared.
Selecting an enterprise software for your business is one of the most critical decisions you will ever make for your organization. However, choosing the correct software for your business is not a simple task. Not only is software cost-intensive to deploy, but it also requires considerable time and resources on your behalf to get going.
Evaluating Enterprise Software Options :
It’s important to begin with the assessment of needs that your company has., Now days the one thing you cannot complain about is lack of choices. There’s an abundance of software options available for you to the extent where you will be spoiled for choices. Each software comes with its own set of features and specializations and each can serve a particular purpose very well for you. Creating a clear and extensive list of your requirements before you start looking for your software is a good start. You need to take the time to look at and evaluate each option and settle on one that fits your particular needs.
Planning for On-premise or Cloud based Software :
Another important aspect to consider before choosing your software is deciding what kind of platform you want. You can choose between on-premise, cloud, or hybrid models. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, local installations usually require a high upfront investment. On the other hand, cloud systems need careful integration evaluation and compatibility testing before data migration. While hybrid systems with careful customizations can provide you with a practical solution. You will need to select software that is not only mobile-ready, but also has robust security features to ensure all your sensitive data is encrypted and secure.
Customization and Integration :
Whatever your industry or business, chances are your needs and requirements don’t stay the same year-over-year. As such, you need a software that can adapt and adjust to your dynamic needs while still providing value. Having customization and integration capabilities in your software is pivotal for achieving that. It’s also important to understand the difference between “configuration” and “customization” of your Enterprise software. Configuration is usually easy to do and can be done by clicking on options available within your enterprise software. Whereas, customization refers to the changing of the actual code of the software to suit your needs; which usually takes longer and is more cost intensive.
Choosing the Correct Vendor :
Sometimes, just buying the license for your software is not enough. Many companies, especially small and medium sized enterprises, often lack the requisite knowledge, resources, time, and expertise to ensure a smooth rollout. Managed service providers can step in here and lend a helping hand. They can provide you with a skilled resource set with proper expertise to smoothen your transition.
Select an Industry-specific Solution :
Every trade has its nuances. If these niche elements of the business come as part of the software features, it saves time and effort in going live with the system as minimal customization is required in the case of industry-specific solutions. Hence, look for vendors who ship a solution, meant especially for your industry than picking a generic solution, off-the-shelf.
Choose a Solution That Includes Best Industry Practices :
Don’t look for a solution that matches your legacy way of functioning; instead try and adopt a solution that offers the best practices of some of the best businesses in your trade, globally. It is always good to incorporate the best practices of the trade you are in if you have aspirations to diversify, expand, and collaborate with overseas organizations.
Implementation Time :
Many ERP vendors have taken months and quarters to implement your software. In this dynamic world, you don’t want to wait for 6 – 9 months before going live and then find yourself not suitable. Plug and Play ERP is the future. Try for vendors that can go live in weeks and not in quarters.
Ensure the ERP Software Has A Simple User-Interface :
It is important to ensure that the ERP software doesn’t come across as a complicated piece of technology that your employees hate to use. For enjoying the benefits of process automation, It is important to ensure that the solution has a simple user interface and the process to accomplish a single task through the software is not long-winding. If the user interface is complex, the effort required to train users becomes strenuous, which may in turn lead to resistance for the newly deployed system and in some cases, even in the failure of the ERP implementation. The best ERP solution is the one that allows integration with other software and platform such as business analytic software, CRM, mobile gateways, and so on. Furthermore, it is good to choose a vendor that provides a plethora of other such tools so that you discover all business services under one roof.