SOFTWARE FOR BUSINESS. TIPS and HOW TO
Software selection and implementation today - is a separate market segment. All want to gain on selling business software: the developers, local dealers, consulting companies, and independent experts. What do a company that feels the need for a system solving problems in a particular area of business?
Chosiing software is a serious stage, the importance of which can not be overemphasized. To rely on this choice: the number of implementations, the name of the software vendor, the price decision, external consulting agencies, - none of this does not guarantee the result.
Unfortunately, stories of failed implementations of the class ERP, are the rule rather than the exception. Anyone who regularly meet with the press, drew attention to the cases where large corporations advertise the loss or reduction of income, citing, including problems with software systems. Believe it or not such claims - a moot point. The truth is that modern business is highly dependent on information systems and the wrong choice or problems in the implementation of the software may cause unpredictable consequences, from a minor inconvenience to a complete cessation of work.
Choosing Software Are you familiar with the software for your business? If not - get ready for the bombardment of abbreviations and specific terms. MRP, MRP II, ERP, APS, MES, CRM, SCM, WMS, TMS, E-commerce, Web-oriented, multi-user, modular, scalable - are examples of terms used to describe and software sales. Take advice - if after the first five minutes you can not understand what is it that makes software - go away, chances are you can not afford this solution. Alternatively, you can directly ask the manager, “Okay. And what makes this software? ”.
Not the fact that you will get a detailed answer, but at least worth a try. Price enterprise software ranging from several thousand to several million dollars. About five years ago, if your company’s annual turnover was less than 200 million, the leading suppliers of solutions for the management of the business did not even consider you as a potential customer. True ‘arrogance’ software providers every year to become smaller - economic cooling in the American and European markets are forced to work in the emerging economies, which tightens the fight for the customer. On the one hand it’s good - the software has become more affordable.
But on the other hand, the problem of choice has become even more urgent - because the market there are dozens of competing platforms. How to choose the software that is best suited to achieve your specific business objectives? If you are on the verge of selecting a large and modern solutions, there is an option to use the services of an independent expert. Competent consultants can narrow down the search for you round solution provider and have the correct calculation of the cost of implementation (an important factor, given the fact that sometimes the cost of implementation is much higher than the cost of software licenses), as well as to give an idea of the general functions and processes of decision.
The trouble for the CIS market that did find an independent consultant is almost impossible - they all cooperate with one or another solution provider. Where do I start the software of choice? The most important step is to describe the processes of your company and the definition of mission-critical operations. There are many examples when in pursuit of a “modern solutions” companies forget about the basic functions of their business. For example, the key and most important function of manufacturing companies is directly the production process.
To manage this kind of business it is necessary to find solutions aimed and designed for the needs of production, rather than the extended system of financial management to the production unit. Moreover, it is necessary to focus on a specific type of production - because the software developed for manufacturers working in the warehouse, is significantly different from software manufacturers working order.
Software developed for the electronics will not work effectively in engineering. Management Software for discrete manufacturing may not be suitable for continuous. If your business - distribution or supply, you should focus on warehouse management, order processing functions, transport management, network planning modules for distribution, demand forecast and inventory management. wary of suppliers who claim that their solution works equally well in all areas. Most software packages were originally developed and focused on a particular segment of the business. Ask your software vendor, “Who is your biggest client?” - The answer to this question will give an idea of who is suitable to offer you a solution. Considering the detailed description of the capabilities of the software, it is important to have before my eyes the list of required functions.
Companies often make the mistake of giving a high value features that are not yet implemented and casually paying attention to the implementation of the proposed program providing the basic functions and business processes that currently work fine. For example, fascinated by the module that provides remote access to the data using a PDA, give little time to study the functions of demand planning. The result is a system that allows a PDA screen is easy to see the dynamics of the fall business. Can never be taken for granted that the software “should” exercise some or other, in your opinion are standard features.
Here is a short list of templates, seeing or hearing which must be thoroughly clarify how it works: E-commerce Planning distributed generation Deferred orders. Reservation for the order. demand forecast. Processing “yesterday” demands Tracking parties / serial numbers Recharge locations selection Selection group orders processing returns Flow measurements in different units Combining shipments Implementation FiFO for these functions is not enough response manager “Yes, we can do it.” Your duty - to learn not only that the system allows for this functionality, but also to understand the depth and level of implementation of these functions are important to you.
Ask detailed questions and learn how to really run the software. And do not let the dealer does not answer your questions!