ERP System Requirements for International Success: Part 2

Globalization is the talk of the time and the trend that will ultimately lead to success in a world that is ever expanding in its connectivity. Over the past month, we have looked at rewards and risks of globalizing your business and how enterprise resource planning (ERP) can help. We have also looked at factors needed in such a system. Last week, we started looking at just some of the requirements of an ERP software that lead to international success. These include being a system that is multilingual, that accounts for legal requirements, that is streamlined, that turns information into knowledge, and that is integrated. To learn more about these requirements, visit here. Now, let’s dive into some more important requirements that will lead your company in the Greater Toronto Area or throughout Canada to have success on an international level by exploring what functionality is necessary for mid-sized businesses in terms of their ERP solution.

Included CRM Software

With the need for transparent and visible customer communication, service, and support services on a global scale, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software within an ERP system is essential. This CRM software can automate customer processes and the professional management of all sales processes. Daily turnover estimates can also be possible with ongoing status updates of updated sales activities with CRM. Instead of a separate system, your ERP software should integrate information and processes related to this company division- customer relations- into its single software platform.

Automation

Powerful workflow engines and routines assist in defining business rules and in automating business processes. Managers need to be able to do this within the ERP system. Through this, it is possible to access pre-existing processes or modify them, as needed, on an individual basis. Managing processes efficiently and smoothly can help withstand international competition.

Ability to Grow

Globalization is intended to drive business growth. ERP software that is oriented to achieve international success for businesses must be designed to enable growth and give capabilities to do this step by step with functionalities activated as they are needed. This provides the individualized support needed to build and develop internationally. This same concept goes for user numbers as well and use across multiple site locations. These must be able to grow as the business grows.

Compatibility

The ERP system must remain flexible for the future. Functional and technological layers must be independent from one another, and the system must be compatible with a variety of different database and operating systems. Finally, it should be able to be implemented in both web and client server environments.

With vast amounts of features and functionality, IWI Consulting offers two ERP solutions that meet the requirements to be successful on a global scale as a business. To learn more about Sage EM (formerly known as Sage X3), visit here. To learn more about Sage 300cloud (formerly known as Sage 300), visit here. 

Our small and dedicated team specializes in helping small-to-medium size Canadian businesses and non-profits select and adapt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRMS) and IT services. With IWI’s 15 years in business and 100 plus years of combined experience, IWI has helped hundreds of manufacturing, distribution, and financial service companies gain efficiency, grow, and lower their operating costs.

With the unique combination of industry knowledge and diverse technology expertise, IWI provides cost-effective solutions to help clients gain a competitive edge.  As a Sage business partner, servicing the Greater Toronto Area, we support evaluation and implementation of operations and finance systems to optimize technology, ensuring high return on investment with a quick and painless transition to new software.