Still Searching For Perfect ERP for Small Business Enterprises?

Finding the ideal ERP for Small Business enterprises is hard. Reason being, all have different requirements. For each, the definition of the ideal enterprise resource planning solution varies. The good thing is, most good ERPs have commonalities which ensure that one does not have to spend pondering options for a lifetime trying to analyze merits and demerits.

If a good ERP for Small Business enterprises were to be identified, then what qualities should one look for in it?

1. The enterprise resource planning solution being considered should be flexible, just like Microsoft Dynamics AX is when used by enterprise segment companies. It should be such that the modules in it can be activated and deactivated as per will. It should facilitate integration between business processes such as product planning, cost, development, manufacturing, service delivery, marketing, sales, inventory, shipping etc.

2. Make sure the ERP is adaptable. It should adapt fast like the Microsoft Dynamics NAV does when used by small and mid-segment businesses. Depending on how your business grows, it should be such that it can be scaled both up and down. The reason NAV became so popular is because of its ability to evolve day after day whenever small businesses using it grew. The ERP being finalized ought to interact with its user. Come what may, it has to adapt fast to new trends.

3. In times when everything happens on cloud, the ERP too should be privy to it. An ERP such as the Microsoft Dynamics AX or the Microsoft Dynamics NAV both of which are available on cloud should be chosen. This ensures that teams within the organization can work from anywhere in the world from the device of their choice. The benefit of cloud is that there is no need to make any kind of external installations or to buy expensive licenses or incur expenses on IT maintenance. A highly secure account with a username and a password is enough to have access to kind module.

4. It should not be exorbitantly priced. Something which is cloud based should not be a financial burden for a small business. Most small business ERP solutions are moderately priced and highly affordable. It is no surprise that a small business is tight on cash. If service providers start pricing their ERP solutions exorbitantly, no small business will be in a position to purchase it.

5. The solution should offer multiple language capabilities and multi-currency capabilities. The reason simply being, you never know from where opportunities come and just in case something comes from offshore places then that assignment has to be taken up and deliver come what may. Small business promoters are beggars who cannot be choosers as they have a company to grow and need to build a sustainable repertoire to survive in the future.

6. The ERP should be built to run miscellaneous tasks such as issuing invoices and other documents, customizing product and service descriptions, making promotions to customers and prospects and offering post-sales support to them in multiple languages.

Take these factors into account when you set out to choose an ERP which will get your small business going. These features have to be there or else things may never get started. A few rounds of trial and error will make sure you end up with the solution most suitable to get things started at your end.