ERP: Does it adapt to you or do you conform with it?
Does your company need the same ERP tools as every other company? How far are you willing to adapt? Or do you prefer the ERP to adapt to your company?
Too often, using an ERP is assumed to improve a company's processes and, consequently, adapting to standard management software is considered an improvement to those processes. This happens, first, because process is confused with procedure. And second, because it is ignored that the consulting tasks of listening, analysing and accompanying are what ultimately improve the company's processes, in order to increase productivity and simplify workflows. But not adapting the company to the ERP for the convenience of the ERP provider.
The purpose of this article is not to digress about the differences between these two concepts, but it is necessary to start with a clarification that we at NaN-tic are very clear about: if your company has come as far as it has, it is because you have done many things well, and if your company stands out, it is because you have made the best decisions. Now we will explain why this clarification is relevant.
During the time you have been operating, you have created processes resulting from the qualitative, productive and functional specificities of your company, as well as from the conditions of the legislation in force applicable to each area. It is precisely these processes that have structured and created procedures. Procedures are mandatory and can be automated by management software; processes, on the other hand, are alive, evolve and, in principle, are not always mandatory. The only thing an ERP can do is enable or not enable linked procedures that ensure compliance with a process (if that is what is wanted). In this way, the ERP can help strengthen processes. Processes can be improved by working together, consultant and client.
Therefore, we start from the premise that an ERP implementation must be customised to the company's processes and protocols and, consequently, adapt as much as possible to automate procedures, comply with applicable legislation, relate data from all the company's business areas, and make it easier for all departments to work together like a well-tuned symphony.
ERP customisation
You have made it this far, your company is growing every day and you are facing one of these three scenarios:
- You do not have an ERP and want one.
- You have an ERP and it does not satisfy you for whatever reason.
- You want one or more management software systems, such as accounting and invoicing, production control, logistics, etc.
The processes you follow in your company result from the specific characteristics of its different business areas. To give two examples: The production department has specific ways of managing materials, manufacturing lines and coordinating workers and shifts, for specific reasons related to the production of your products and the profiles of your operators. The logistics department, on the other hand, takes certain circumstances into account when managing products related to exports and others for products intended for local consumption.
It is clear that companies need customised management software. We are not talking about customisation from scratch or an exclusive development. Rather, we mean an ERP structured in many pieces, modules (yes, like puzzle pieces) that are separated and joined depending on what you need, and can even be transformed depending on the client's needs. The more assembly options there are, the more puzzle pieces there are to choose and work with, the more customisable and flexible the ERP is, and the more closely it is developed to fit your needs.
It is because of the quantity and quality of its modular possibilities that Tryton ERP is the optimal business management software for achieving maximum customisation.
At NaN-tic, we are not only expert business and technology consultants, but also Tryton programmers and developers. We can say that the implementation we carry out is 100% tailored, with a specialised service that listens to you and is expert at offering you the best solution with transparency and honesty.
What happens to customised module blocks when the software evolves to a new version?
Our clients do not suffer any unpleasant surprises when new versions of Tryton arrive, because our team of developers has evolved the client's software with every new version, which in Tryton's case is every year. At the same time, the consultant who accompanies the client throughout the relationship regularly informs them about the improvements and updates being made.
A question and a piece of advice: Does your current ERP provider provide this update service? If you are negotiating a new ERP implementation with a provider, ask them how they manage upgrades to new versions.
Scalability of business management software
One of the problems with more standard ERPs is that they are never exactly at your scale: they either lack features or have too many. Either the solution you pay for lacks functions your company needs, or you are using a solution whose many functions you do not need are going to waste (but you are paying for them).
A good ERP must be scalable: it must be possible to implement exactly what you need, while also allowing it to grow with you and add tailored functionality as you need it.
NaN-tic's team of consultants will know how to provide you with the combination of modules and customisations that best suits you. Leave it in the hands of a specialised and expert team so that you can devote yourself to what you really enjoy and know how to do.
Do not hesitate any longer: if what you are looking for is a tailored ERP that helps you continue to differentiate yourself from your competitors, find out about all our possibilities and write to NaN-tic by filling in the contact form.
