4 innovative elements can safeguard the ROI in an ERP, CRM, SFA solution

Return on Investment (ROI) is not guaranteed by system functionality anymore – 4 supplementary elements safeguard a fast ROI in our era

A challenge for each ERP, CRM and SFA solution is to provide complete out-of-the-box functionality along with powerful tools for customization in order to cover all the specifics of each implementation. These two fundamentals ensure a successful and long lasting investment for the client and a prosperous collaboration for the implementer. Modern era systems are assisted by four essential and currently innovative elements in achieving this target:

1.    Cloud Enablement. Flexibility

Lower initial investment, no need for expensive to maintain hardware and infrastructure, flexibility in cost which is analogous to usage, automation of processes such as backups, and high availability over the internet. All are prized characteristics of any modern solution. Proven functionality becoming available with a SaaS model also makes the use of larger solutions by smaller organizations a reality. Lower cost that grows only as the organization grows is a huge advantage.

2.    Mobility. Functionality on-the-go

Today, business needs related to an ERP solution, extend much further than accounting, static reporting and order registering. They require tools for real time process management and decisions while including Sales Force Automation, Merchandising, CRM; and these through mobile devices. These tools, whether they refer to

sales, service or other departments, when available in native mobile technologies exploiting advanced functions of the devices, empower the organization in all its functions, anytime, anywhere.

3.    Business Intelligence. Informed decisions in real time

The volume of data an organization needs to process, the complexity of processes, the multiple channels of sales and the required high speed of decision making demand much more information than the quarterly reporting. A real ERP implementation gives power and control over processes and it should include BI elements for on-the-spot decision support. Real time reports for all roles, olap cubes, dashboards, geo-analysis and drill down BI components and automatic KPIs, when an integral part of the ERP, empower you to decide faster, cleverer and improve.

4.    Development Tools and APIs  – Expandability and customization

An ERP investment should have a lifespan of at least 5 to 10 years. This is a real challenge now as business evolves faster than ever and today's state-of-the-art today can be outdated two years from now. Business practices are evolving fast and the solution can easily become inefficient, unless…it is supported by a vendor who invests in keeping it up to date continuously and at the same time provides strong APIs and development tools for third parties to customize it and build on the out-of-the-box functionality. These two elements can be the make-or-break success, especially in the modern era of IoT and big data that in many cases enforce integration needs and require agility and speed in customisation even by the internal IT departments.