Going Digital with ERP Software – SAP Business One
The concerns listed are not ranked. This information is gathered from customers’ meeting and consultation. Note that “Going Digital” is a long continuous route and the beginning is to have a good foundation ERP software to kick off.
- Budget is limited
Not only small companies will be concerned about budget, even big corporations are mindful about how much they will want to invest in their next software. As economic environment gets tougher, it is increasingly challenging to improve the top line figures and hence companies are watching their spending to boast the bottom lines. Companies will also want to look at any help they can get from authorities such as Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) which currently supports up to 50% of SAP Business One software package to assist them to lower their cost of investment. PSG is only available to pre-approved vendor who has undergone stringent review by IMDA. Integrated Information Systems Pte Ltd is a preapproved vendor who provide SAP Business One ERP packages which eligible SMEs can apply for PSG to support up to 50% of their IT solutions purchases. Such schemes are useful to encourage companies to update their technologies to improve productivity and also keep up with the changing business climates.
Software can have a recurring cost component such as annual maintenance and support for on-premise solution or monthly subscription for cloud software. Companies have to project their expenses to include the recurring fees for x number of years so as to determine affordability.
- Whether software can meet business requirements
Singapore is one of the economies where technologies such as ERP software is widely adopted. So many companies already have some software in place. When companies evaluate new software, they will expect new software to be able to overcome their existing software limitations and to do more to help them. With knowledge from using ERP software previously, users can better identify which are the specific areas that the new ERP software can help them and also expect seamless connections between mobile, warehouse system, sales system, purchasing system and other sub systems. This will enable more intensive and intelligent use of system to assist companies in their day to day activities.
- Software and Vendor Reputation
Is the software proprietary to only one vendor or there are multiple business partners who support it? Is the software new in the market and is it widely adopted by many customers? Does the vendor has a good track record of implementing the software successfully? Who are the faces of the vendors who you will be dealing with in sales, implementation and after sales support phases? These are the questions which the customer should ask or find out when deciding on the software selection. Customers usually feel good when they speak to the same person who introduces the software as well as involved in the project implementation. This provides additional layer of reliability and credibility in case promises run empty.
- Proof of Concept
It would be great if everything can be proven before purchase. However, this is rare as most free trial only allows you to download the software without training. Without training, the ERP software is useless as users will find it frustrating to look for the features they need. An alternative will be to test out scenario questions with the vendor to see if they can reply your requirements well and fast.