Nearly 95% of businesses that install ERP register significant improvement in their operations. Like other systems, an ERP requires updates from time to time to keep working optimally.
An upgrade is likely to cause glitches in business operations for short periods afterward but the results are worthwhile.
Is your ERP system causing you more stress than it should? If so, an ERP upgrade can seriously refresh your business. The following are signs that your ERP needs an upgrade.
1. When your ERP Is On-Premise
On premise, ERP systems store documents and data in a server inside the business premises. As much as you may have invested in server security, data stored in the premises could still be vulnerable.
You should upgrade your ERP to a cloud-based system where your data is protected from any mishaps that may occur on your premises. A cloud-based system offers a SaaS which allows regular and automatic system upgrades.
Cloud-based system can also be upgraded on demand from portals such as the Epicor upgrade services. This is unlike its on premise counterparts, where upgrades have to be done in situ.
When data is in the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere by anybody as long as they’re authorized.
2. When It Can’t Be Accessed from a Phone
Doing business remotely and on the move is now a standard way of operating. Being able to access some sections of the ERP on the go may help your business to capture data more accurately in real time.
A good example of such data is traveling expenses which can be keyed in as they’re incurred. Reducing the time between data generation and entry ensures greater accuracy.
3. When the System Reaches the End of Its Life
Reaching EOL means the system developer no longer releases updates and features for the system. This usually happens when newer versions of the system have been developed and it becomes necessary for the developer to focus resources on them.
The old ERP system will continue working as normal even without updates. Don’t let that fool you, its lack of upgrades will compromise your data security and it will eventually come to a halt.
To avoid being grounded, it’s advisable for you to plan an upgrade as soon as the end of support period begins.
4. When the System Lacks Integration
One of the most consequential aspects of an ERP system is its integration with other systems.
Whenever the ERP system is not seamlessly integrated, it makes it necessary for data to be entered twice, first in the other system and then in the ERP.
The ERP then ends up being a source of confusion instead of being a source of order. If you find yourself in such a place, it’s time to upgrade.
5. When Your Business Grows
As your business grows, you’ll find that you need to include more users than your current ERP system allows. You may also require to integrate more systems than you had when you initially installed the ERP. All of these call for an upgrade of the system.
Things to Do Before an ERP Upgrade
The process of upgrading ERP should be carefully thought through. You need to create three lists; a list of what you must have, one of what is optional and another one of what you can do without.
To make sure that these lists capture exactly what you need, you ought to have set up an ERP upgrade team for evaluation. It’s only after the evaluation has been done that you should shop for the most affordable system that meets your needs.
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