Is Your Business Struggling? ERP Software Can Help
Many businesses have been hit hard by the recession. Small and medium-sized businesses are among the hardest hit, and they often lack the resources needed to recover. Even though times are turning around for many, smaller businesses still have a long road ahead of them. Slow sales have caused many to lay off employees and run their businesses on a skeleton crew. Now, a larger crew is needed, but additional payroll is out of the question.
While the cost of operating with a small staff may not be evident immediately once things start turning around, it will become clearly evident after a short period of time. Most companies have had to weather short periods of time with a short staff, but the ongoing, unrelenting shortage they experience due to the economy downturn may be the worst yet.
Companies coming out of the recession have a particular set of problems. There is a mountain of work that needs to be done due to the increase in sales. However, there is not enough money collected to pay for staff. But staff is needed to bill and collect money earned from sales. It’s a vicious cycle. Fortunately, manufacturing software can help.
The bills are also being neglected. Some companies are simply struggling with the day-to-day operations of their business. As mentioned before, ERP software can help. Is it the solution for your company?
ERP software, or Enterprise Resource Planning software, has had its critics because it takes the place of human workers. Smaller companies strive to create a personal atmosphere for their customers; the human touch is needed to achieve it. Nobody likes to eliminate jobs, but drastic times call for drastic measures.
Manufacturing ERP software creates a paperless office atmosphere in which less work is needed to perform everyday tasks. The software keeps track of customers and streamlines the ordering and invoicing process. The software does not eliminate the need for workers, it merely reduces it, giving you the time you need to catch up.
Most programs have added features that support electronic ordering, confirmation and billing. If you’re doing it the old-fashioned way, standing at the fax machine and making countless phone calls, you are wasting a great deal of time that could be put to better use.
Manufacturing software is not generally used for office tasks, but it can be adapted for any type of business atmosphere. Streamlining simple office tasks can dramatically increase productivity. Workers who are freed up from mundane office tasks can be used to see to the more important aspects of your business. Do not underestimate how a few small changes and the addition of ERP software can change your business.