What is an ERP and how can it help your business?

Posted March 25, 2024

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a software system that can help your organization integrate, automate, and manage the essential parts of your operations.

Modern day ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or Microsoft Dynamics GP bring together the core processes that run your company with one single system.

This post is the first in a five part series giving you what you need to know about ERPs, their benefits, and how an ERP can positively impact your organization.

An ERP software system links and integrates your financials with your planning, purchasing, sales, marketing, finance, human resources, your supply chain and more. Each department or area has a system optimized for its functions and the ERP brings everything together into one application and one platform.

As your business grows and expands, your needs change. Your financial system and software need to keep pace not just with where you are today, but where you want to be in the next few years. The accounting system and software that worked for you in the past may not be the optimal approach for your future.

What modern-day ERP solutions like Business Central can do for your business

Your business has evolved and grown over the years. The same goes for ERP solutions. Today, ERPs like Microsoft Dynamics Business Central are cloud-based applications that you and your employees can access remotely. Modern day ERPs give your business the benefits of free-flowing communications between key business areas, and the power of having a single source of information that can deliver real-time reporting.

Connecting your data and systems within an ERP means:  

Greater collaboration, improved efficiency, and stronger performance.
You’ll access insights that enhance your decision making and reveal ways to improve operational performance. You will have more accurate and improved reporting, helping you plan, budget, forecast and communicate more effectively.

Accelerating value and impact.
By connecting your processes and data, you’ll bring more visibility and flexibility to employees, helping them take action quickly and deliver more value across your business.

Improved decision making, planning, and agility.
The right ERP solution for your business will adapt to your needs and grow with your business. It can also help you plan and manage your resources and anticipate and respond to operational disruptions or market changes.

Ready to explore whether an ERP system is the logical next step for your business? Joesoftware can help you evaluate where you are today and help you plan for your future. We can help you determine if a Dynamics 365 ERP solution is right for you.