"Single ERP Software versus Multiple Software Systems"

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"Deacom Inc. produces an integrated accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software package for mid-to-large sized."
Source : Deacom

Resources Related to Single ERP Software versus Multiple Software Systems:

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) (Wikipedia)

Single ERP Software versus Multiple Software Systems

Advantage of Using One Enterprise Solution for your Process Manufacturing Business

Introduction

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is designed to improve and automate your manufacturing operations. Within a process manufacturing company, these business processes, such as laboratory, regulatory reporting, order entry, accounting, production, stores and point of sale (POS), inventory, and purchasing, are traditionally managed by several software systems.

However, there are many unnecessary administrative and procedural costs and delays associated with this practice. Examples include duplicate data entry, data corruption, increased training, complicated vendor relations, greater IT support, and software incompatibilities.

As a result, there is a growing trend toward the use of single ERP systems. Through this single software system approach, manufacturers can control the details of their complex businesses by linking all departments together to maximize productivity and profitability. Companies have the ability to easily process their regulatory reporting, inventory control, sales and purchasing order entry, lab management and quality control, accounting, production, and store and POS functions with real-time transactional posting, all within one software system.

This paper serves to highlight nine specific benefits of utilizing a single ERP software system versus multiple system usage for process manufacturing operations. By reviewing these advantages, manufacturers may better understand how to simplify their complex business operations.

1.Single Point of Control

The primary advantage of single ERP system usage is "single point of control." A single software system is the primary source for your manufacturing company. One ERP system allows you to streamline your business processes by providing a single location for all data. It also makes data maintenance easier and serves as the primary source for data entry in one, central location.

2.Duplicate Entry Elimination

As the "single point of control" for your data, the use of one software system eliminates duplicate data entry. Customer, inventory, formulation, production history, and lot and batch control updates are processed once with real-time transactional posting. Compliancy with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, for instance, is simplified. You can maintain a verifiable audit trail for your financial reports and reduce bookeeping time by eliminating data that does not match in multiple systems.

3.Data Integrity

There is a basic software truism: "No matter how hard you try, data in two places will eventually be different." Never is this more applicable than with the use of more than one software system. As the sole recipient of all data, a single ERP software system avoids this scenario. Information entered in one location will always be the same.

4.Detail Drilldown

Consistent data allows for simple research and reporting through one ERP system. Comprehensive reports can be run to deliver cross-promotion opportunities that allow you to reduce stale inventory, reuse equipment, or leverage purchasing power. From these accounting reports and summaries, specific transaction details can be investigated.

5.Basic Training

Training is less complicated with a single software system. Users adjust to one "look and feel" of a system, as opposed to conforming to several different landscape designs and controls. Users also learn only one set of new business practices instead of two or more, depending on the number of software systems in place. This conserves time and effort during the training process.

6.Manageable Support

One software system means one vendor. This prevents the "not my problem" syndrome that occurs when vendors pass their software issues off to other software systems. Instead of wading through a number of sources, only one support team is responsible for addressing your system feature questions or data conversion issues.

7.Minimal IT Maintenance

Your system support problems are fewer with a single ERP system, as maintenance is lower. Rather than juggle the support of several systems, technical personnel handle regular updates and a backup method from only one software system. Network issues, such as system interaction with network infrastructure, are kept to a minimum.

8.Easy Upgrades

In addition to lower maintenance, single systems are easier to upgrade too. Multiple software systems conflict when one system is updated and no longer works correctly with other systems. These differences are eliminated with single ERP system upgrades.

9.Reduced Costs

The more software systems that one utilizes, the more associated costs are generated. Referring to the adage, "It is more expensive to maintain linkage, than to create it," it is far more expensive to support multiple software systems than a single ERP package. Utilizing several systems typically requires overall high implementation costs, including adaptation to your IT environment, user training, and integration with other corporate software, in addition to the cost of the system itself.

Summary

A single software system is intended to improve and automate process manufacturing operations. By using a single ERP point of control, this goal is accomplished through the elimination of duplicate entry, and the contribution of data integrity, detailed drilldown, simple training, manageable support, minimal IT maintenance, easy upgrades, and reduced costs. Overall, the advantages of single software system usage fulfill the original intentions of ERP as it allows process manufacturers to manage their business as simply and efficiently as possible.

About Deacom

Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Deacom, Inc. is the producer of DEACOM, a complete accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software system for building component, prefabricated housing manufacturers, process, and mixed-mode manufacturers. The DEACOM software system seamlessly links all departments within a manufacturing company, providing a comprehensive view of the entire operation. By making complex issues simple, Deacom helps streamline business processes to maximize productivity and profitability.

For more information or to schedule an online demonstration, call 610-971-2278 ext. 15 or visit www.deacom.net

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