Enterprise Resource planning is a system software used in organizations to unify information and improve the efficiency of undertaking several activities through reduction of time wastage and keeping the cost of operation low. An important objective in the implementation of the software is to facilitate the levels of communication between different departments as an improvement to the process of making decisions. However, the deployment of the software needs an integration with other systems within an organization. The ERP software in an organization improves its efficiency of operation through a facilitation of reduced errors, enhanced communication, and increased productivity.
In the modern business structure, business owners need to promote the use of effective processes that are crucial building blocks to the success of an organization. In the emergence of new technologies, software system has resulted in an improvement in the different activities in a business and to enhance the management of workflow (De Toni et.al, 2015). An ERP supports a significant number of the systems in an organization that is significant to the different activities in a business such as management of supply chain, management of the relationships with clients, and sales representatives to allow easy access to different departments in a business. Practically, the use of ERP system covers various functions and integrates them into a common database.
SAP is the largest application software organization that has about 170, 000 clients in the world. The enterprise offers a wide variety of applications that relate to Enterprise Resource Planning in terms of management of customers Relationship Management (CRM), management of financial resources, management of human capital, and effective management of supply chain. Sap Ecosystem provides a unique integration of offerings in different markets. Besides, SAPs offer applications on business analytics to improve the performance of different enterprises that adopt the use of the software. In addition, SAP ERP system has integrated functions like customized access to information by different departments to assist the diverse aspects in a business. The main objective in the use of SAP ERP is to help businesses to manage human capital, the process of procurement, and service in its features.
Customer Relationship Management
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is one of the software applications from SAP that assists manufacturers to deal with their clients across organizations in aspects such as marketing, sales, and other services. The software provides clear information about a specific client. In addition, the software supports the management in the organizations to manage the business to business connectedness. The information that is tracked in a system of CRM includes the contacts of clients, sales leads, and contracts. In the current era of business operation, the software allows business executives in the provision of services and products that are needed by the clients. On the other hand, sales representatives can make use of the application to sell in more effective ways, maintain the loyalty of regular clients, and get a better understanding of the client’s characteristics.
In most instances, a significant number of business operators have developed a perception that CRM software is difficult to use although stability and security have been the main goals of the solutions accrued from the use of CRM. Many vendors have focused on the issues that relate to usability to make the workflow of using CRM as simple and intuitive as possible. The design of the software suits the needs of the sales representatives, which can be performed in about three clicks.
The most significant benefit in the use of CRM results from having all the information related to the business stored in one location for easy access. Before the introduction of CRM software, the information regarding the clients in the email systems, mobile phones, and office productivity suite documentation. The strategy of storing information from all the departments in an organization such as marketing, customer service, and human resource in one location gives the employees and management a chance to access the most recent information when they need it (De Toni et.al, 2015). In addition, having a central location of all crucial information enhances the level of collaboration between various departments making organizations develop efficiently and improve the business processes. Furthermore, the use of the software leads to 360 degrees view of all the information related to the clients and the knowledge of the existing needs from them in the market. Over the last one decade, the integration of Customer Relationship Management in the social media platforms has been a great challenge for the enterprises as a model to get closer to the clients.
In most cases, a significant number of companies choose to use CRM software to create a good reputation to the clients and promote the relationship with them. In terms of delivery of products, the sales representatives can operate a full cloud platform to provide flexibility in customer information. In the modern business world, full cloud functionality is crucial because it makes it easier to make good use of the fields in comparison to conventional models. In addition, sales team enhances an open product’s architecture to assist customers in the implementation of CRM products.
NetSuite as an ERP
NetSuite is one of the cloud Enterprise Resource Planning that is used by a significant number of organizations. The enterprise offers a scalable remedy to operate the key back office operations and other financial business processes in the cloud. Some of the activities that can be addressed through the use of the system include supply chain, solutions in warehouse management, solutions in billing and inventory. NetSuite system empowers business across all industries and in different parts of the world to improve on innovation levels and achieve growth. In addition, the strategy ignites better ways of making decisions between the executives. The cloud based software makes it easy to connect financial, clients, and trade. It incorporates Customer Relationship Management, financials, and other e-commerce operations and goes beyond the traditional software used in accounting.
A significant number of decision-makers have realized the advantages of implementing the use of NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning. In the current networking among different organizations, individual business utilizes networking and no longer operate alone. The system of integration makes the processes in a business uniform and all the information is stored in a database that promotes effective feedback among all the departments in an organization. Although different business units operate in autonomy, there is an easy movement of information across different departments. The strategy works well for the organizations that have various locations and operates over large geographical segments.
Through the use of NetSuite ERP software, the different stakeholders take what they need for as long as they are in need of it. However, organizations require having internet connections to gain an access to the information relating to a company from all locations. As a result, the software makes it easy to integrate and get rid of any baggage. In addition, the NetSuite software provides a clear overview and makes it easy to focus on the efficient operation of an enterprise.
In addition, NetSuite gives an opportunity to the employees to an organization to perform their duties in a more efficient way through a consolidation of removal of isolated spreadsheets and breaking the barriers that exist among various departments. The consolidation of all systems in a centralized platform makes it easy to run organization in an efficient way (Chandrakumar and Parthasarathy, 2014). Enterprise resource planning is a crucial investment that results in a high competitive advantage and performance of a company. The management, therefore, needs to select suitable ERPs to improve the process of making decisions and identify the needs of clients and strategies to improve productivity.
NetSuite and CRM are two system software used by a significant number of companies to deliver successful objectives in sales and marketing teams in an organization. Customer Relationship Management tools assist employees and management in developing a good understanding of client’s profiles to craft enhanced interactions and improve business productivity. The NetSuite relationships with clients is a flexible 360 degrees view of the clients meaning that although it offers a wide variety of customer information, it becomes hard to implement. On the other hand, the software promotes transparency in visual dashboards. A significant number of clients often talk about the easy learning curve in using the software although it assists companies to survive in tough conditions.
In addition, the use of NetSuite Software offers unique selling features such as the ability to sell products across departments in an organization. On the other hand, the use of the software makes it easy to handle renewals. Similarly, the CRM suite offers assistance in more complex transactions such as referral tracking. Support for monitoring and reporting the business finances is another crucial aspect of NetSuite. On the perspectives of services to clients, NetSuite software makes it easy to pinpoint and address the issues that might face clients. It is, therefore, evident that the NetSuite software can be of great assistance across all the operating stages of an organization.
Cloud Based ERP System
Cloud based ERP software is a leading technology in the world, and it is also referred to as on-demand computing. The software makes use of the internet as a strategy to provide shared computing resources and a way of maintaining business records and other relevant documents. In addition, the term covers other aspects such as photo sharing or emailing on commercial services such as Google. The cloud is more valuable to small sized business because it offers an access to full functions applications at fair pricing. Through the use of cloud software, business owners have a chance to scale as the business expands. The implementation of cloud ERP enables the accounting in a company and operations management to run in the cloud. However, the vendors of cloud ERP vary in technology, functionality, and service. It is evident that cloud vendors have other things in common apart from connectivity to the internet and hosting other applications.
A significant number of organizations prefer the use of ERP system as an important tool in the integration of different systems and collaboration between various department. When implemented in a correct manner, ERP can be a high cost investment that enables companies to centralize their daily operations. The modern technology of using cloud computing enables a convenient access to networks and configured resources in computing that can be released with little effort among the service providers. Through the use of cloud computing as an ERP, business owners are able to automate various functions, reduce complexity, and minimize the costs incurred in running a business.
In using the software, the service models include Software as a service abbreviated as (Saas), Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas) and Platform as a service (PaaSS). To start with, SAAS is the ability provided to a customer in using the applications that run on a cloud infrastructure. According to Seethamraju, (2015), the clients are able to access the software from various devices, therefore, being convenient in sales and purchases. On the other hand, PaaSS is a capability that is provided to the consumers in the deployment of acquired applications that are developed using programming languages. Similarly, the providers highly support the tools. IaaSS, on the contrary, is a capability that is offered to the consumers in the provision of storage, networks, and processing that is convenient to the use of the consumers.
Virtualization of servers is basic enabling technology in the application of cloud computing. In summary server virtualization makes it easy for various operating systems to run smoothly. Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas) offers a hardware through, which a client can design and run a software. The major vendors of the cloud computing model are Amazon, Joyent, and GoGrid (Seethamraju, 2015). The main idea of using IaaS revolves on the idea of meeting the cost of computing resources as a utility and the consumer can either spend more or less depending on the need. The model can be cost effective in comparison to the traditional models of purchasing and maintenance of network infrastructures.
Recommendations
An effective CRM software system that involves the use of modern technology in marketing, promotion of services to clients, and technical support. On the other hand, an effective software system promotes the growth of business and increases the satisfaction among clients through a 360 degree view. In a comparison of the three ERP software, NetSuite makes a significant contribution and improves the efficiency of the retail industry. On the contrary, Customers Relation Management (CRM) seems to be an outdated software system that does not make a significant contribution in the modern business environment. However, CRM enhances the coordination between various departments for the benefit of clients and an improvement in productivity.
In the analysis of cloud based ERP, it can be effective in the running of large organizations but does not match the needs of retail businesses. In addition, it increases the cost of operation and thus not suitable for the retail industry. NetSuite system offers a good flow of information among different clients resulting in an increase in sales volumes and enhanced opportunities to the clients. In addition, NetSuite software streamlines the processes in a business and improves on sales performance. It is clear that NetSuite promotes the level of professional services and promotes e-commerce to match the current needs in the use of modern technology.
NetSuite Software is fundamental for the financial success of any business through an enhancement of sound accounting and systems of financial reports. The software promotes an integration of good communication and collaboration as a strategy to improve productivity and keep the costs low. Unlike other software systems, NetSuite gives the sales representatives a visibility into all the aspects of the relationship with clients and information on back force such as inventory and sustainable chain of supply.
In conclusion, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) are systems within an organization that makes various departments to operate effectively and achieves the set goals. Examples of ERP systems include Customers Relationship Management (CRM), NetSuite and Cloud computing. In the management of a business, the software system support areas such as management of human resources, meeting the satisfaction of clients and in marketing for efficient operation. Unlike Cloud computing and the Use of CRM, NetSuite allows an effective integration of various business processes and achieve the set goals in a business. The rise of modern technologies has reflected the fact that organizations need to develop new software systems to link the main processes.
- Chandrakumar, T., & Parthasarathy, S. (2014). A framework for evaluating cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. In Continued Rise of the Cloud (pp. 161-175). Springer London.
- De Toni, A. F., Fornasier, A., & Nonino, F. (2015). The impact of implementation process on the perception of enterprise resource planning success. Business Process Management Journal, 21(2), 332-352.
- Seethamraju, R. (2015). Adoption of software as a service (SaaS) enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Information systems frontiers, 17(3), 475-492.
