Customized ERP has a bad rap mainly because it means a much larger price tag for you. It can have its benefits, but here are some situations when you shouldn’t modify your ERP solution.

• Your current ERP software solution is old and out of date. If customization requires a matrix of coded workarounds, it is not worth the money you’re throwing at it to do its job. Manipulating software is necessary to some extent, but if your software currently causes more headache than relief, then it may be time to start from scratch.

• You’re not entirely sure of what you need it to do. ERP software customizations aren’t a time for experimentation. You need to be absolutely clear of what your main goals and objectives are before entering into the world of software modification. If you jump in before you’re ready, you risk wasting valuable time, resources, and a huge chunk of your software budget. This is where a software partner is vital in the process. They know what questions to ask and what areas to focus on. There are also phased approaches to ERP implementation that can ease the overwhelming nature of these projects as well as go easy on your budget.

If you’re trying to answer the questions of whether to modify or not modify your current ERP solution, contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions for guidance. We can ensure you make the right decision for your company.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

The people we work for can be one of two things:

1. Easy to work for and a huge help in completing projects
   OR
2. Difficult to please and simply impossible to figure out, making projects impossible to complete

If your situation classifies under #2, then you definitely need to be clever in the ERP Software selection process as well as extremely careful. Here are a few tips to help you keep your boss off your back and the right ERP solution in your hands!

• Develop a report of charts, graphs, and detailed data to show the due diligence in your research process as well as an audit trail. When your boss has hundreds of questions, this easy-to-read and understand data will save you time.
• Instead of using Excel to make your comparisons, consider using a decision support system for a more in-depth view into what ERP solution may be right for you.

In conclusion, working with an overbearing boss may not be an ideal situation. But as long as you keep him/her informed, it’s likely to curve some of their negative feedback. So our advice is to stay one step ahead of them and offer updates, statistical findings, and opinions in an organized format. They’re much more likely to get on board with your selection because of the hard work you put into it.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Some companies know they need an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution in place, but not many can say specifically why they need it. The features of ERP software can be utilized to realize business benefits, but what features are available and will be a good fit for your specific needs? Let’s review the top two features of ERP software and see if they apply to you.

• Financial Management: ERP software streamlines accounting processes to keep you accounts payable, receivable, cash flow and budget all in-line with your business objectives. This is the main reason companies seek out ERP software. After all, improper management of your finances can be detrimental to your business…and fast.

• Manufacturing: This does not apply to everyone who is seeking ERP software like the financial example above, but is a large component to why ERP software is so popular. ERP software helps streamline the manufacturing process so that it takes less money and fewer resources to prepare a product, process orders, and ship it through to completion. ERP software also ensures you have proper insight into your inventory, helping you plan for future orders.

In addition to the two features above, ERP software connects various departments, suppliers and customers under one central system. PANGEA Business Solutions is a Microsoft Dynamics® ERP Partner specializing in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Florida Microsoft Dynamics Partner