Investing in Integrated ERP like Sage 300cloud Pays Off
Few companies wish to spend money on product integration solutions, but with Sage 300cloud (formerly Sage Accpac), your investment will pay for itself in terms of accurate, timely data that can be used to inform decision-making.
Better Data, Better Decisions = Higher Profits
What could your company do with better business intelligence? That’s the question many manufacturers are asking themselves this year as they consider investing in integrated software solutions that will help each of their business areas work together efficiently.
The ever-increasing competition among global manufacturers has caused a revolution in how information is used in the industry. Today, manufacturers must produce quality goods at the lowest costs just as they did yesterday. But in order to achieve this objective, they must have accurate, timely data, and an easy way to get it. This improved business intelligence enables companies to make better decisions and improve the bottom line.
Manufacturers Face Daily Data Challenges
A white paper from IDG Research Services and Sage provides some insights into where manufacturers intend to put their money. Among those surveyed, 63 percent say that challenges to daily operations include collecting business insights to drive business decision-making.
Data has always been the lifeblood of the manufacturing process. Knowing costs at each level of the product cycle, understanding fixed and variable costs, and calculating supply chain variables that can increase profitability are all part and parcel of the manufacturer’s world.
But today, manufacturers want more than just the cost of the components of their widgets. They want to know not just the numbers, but how changes in one part of the system impact the whole. They want the flexibility to run models that help them gain insights into how costs impact profits. More importantly, they demand accurate data that can be used to inform decision-making.
The Ramifications of Unsolved Product Integration Challenge
Unsolved system integration challenges pose many risks for manufacturers. As more components are added to a system, there’s greater potential for error. Mistakes in data entry (and re-entry), for example, can lead to incorrect data. This data, if used to make decisions, can lead companies into poor decision-making that can negatively impact profits. Beyond poor decision making, every time data is re-entered into the system, it costs more money that could be much more useful invested elsewhere.
Integration Shouldn’t Be Painful
Today manufacturers are placing a priority on system integration so that they can gain a comprehensive, single view of the entire business. Although such investments may be substantial, they do pay off. Manufacturers who invest in systems integration see improvements as a result of the investment. Clearly, when product integration is comprehensive and accurate, it offers useful information that can improve business.
Integrated Systems That Work Improve Decision Making
Among the manufacturers surveyed in the Sage study, 74 percent said they had made investments in integration. These investments took the form of integrating new technology with legacy systems so that they would gain a comprehensive, single view of the entire business.
Although such investments may be substantial, they do pay off. Every single one of the participants in the study who said they had invested in integration agreed that they saw improvements as a result of the investment. Clearly, when system integration is comprehensive and accurate, it offers useful information that can improve business.
Other Important Consideration: Sage 300cloud (Accpac) Found Easiest to Use
One thing that many companies fail to consider as they examine ERP solutions is how easy they are to use. If solutions aren’t easy or intuitive, adoption within your company will be difficult, and the learning curve steep.
Among the many product integration solutions available for manufacturers, Sage 300cloud (formerly called Sage Accpac) offers an easy to use package for mid sized business. Users cite the quality of the data and ease of use as some of the top features for Sage 300cloud (formerly known as Sage 300).
Other features of Sage 300cloud (formerly known as Sage 300) cited by users as important to their business include:
- Smooth integration among systems
- Accurate data
- Upgrades performed during downtimes so they do not interfere with operations
- Excellent reporting capabilities
- Short learning curve
- Good support and training
The Bottom Line: Integrated Business Systems Investments Pay Off
Any investment made into software must provide a good return on investment. With Sage 300cloud (formerly known as Sage 300) and system integration challenges solved, your company will have access to instantaneous and accurate data from myriad systems. It’s systems integration that pays off.
For more information about Sage 300cloud (formerly known as Sage 300), Toronto-based IWI offers Sage solutions and more for your growing business. Talk to us today about solutions for business systems integration, supply chain visibility, CRM and more. Call Sage 300 Toronto-vendor IWI at 1-866-916-3851 today.