Next in our supply chain resiliency value series, we are sharing a short video on the relevance of ERP and e-commerce systems from the Manufacturing Summit’s panel “Amazon Effect: Pass or Play – the New Sales & Distribution Game and How it Affects Manufacturing”.
I’m responding to a question on what manufacturers and distributors need when it comes to systems and technology. Every client in the last few years has requested a project objective that goes back to the overarching goal of scalable, profitable growth. The trick is how to achieve BOTH a superior customer experience (with increasing pressure from disruptors such as Amazon and Uber) and profitable growth. Of course, there is no easy answer, and it depends on a multitude of factors. With that said, there is an ever increasing need to scale with technology inclusive of ERP, e-commerce and more.
MCIE Panel Thinking Ahead to E Commerce, Scale and ERP Systems Lisa Anderson
ERP has become much more of a strategic topic. It isn’t about blocking and tackling and using ERP to achieve tactics. Instead, it is about whether a business has the technology and systems to scale in a scalable, profitable way. Do your systems support your customers’ needs? If not, you had better jump into the fray or the next disruptor will eat your lunch. If your answer was, ‘yes but I have to do x, y and z to make it work,’ our next question is will this process be repeatable, reliable and profitable? If not, perhaps you better think twice. It is likely your competitor will answer yes. Lastly, have you thought about your customers’ needs a year into the future? If you aren’t prepared to handle them currently, you are getting behind.
Our most successful clients don’t wait so long that they lag behind. Is it time for an upgrade? You are most welcome to our free resources to determine whether it is the ‘right’ time. As you debate the benefits vs. costs, keep in mind that as hard as it is to take the leap, the most successful executives are willing to take on prudent risk to make leaps forward. Are you? If you would like an expert to assess your situation to determine whether you should further leverage your current software, put the effort into upgrading or simply focus on people and process improvement opportunities, contact us.