‘Mind the gap’ – How ERP can help bridge the productivity gap

Efrat Nakibly, VP Marketing & Strategy, Priority Software, offers his view…

We are living in hugely exciting times, where every minute of every day, innovation and technology – meet. The combination of these two powerful trends should result in high productivity. It should, but for the most part, it doesn’t.

Despite the many achievements of our technologically advanced planet, in recent years, we haven’t reached global productivity levels analysts can be happy about. According to the UK’s The Guardian, while Britain’s productivity has been on a slippery decline, it recently jumped its fastest rate in six years. The numbers are still below the pre-financial crisis trend rate for the UK, but hope is in sight.

UK trade unions say it’s the increased use of technology, namely IT software and business management systems in the workplace that are responsible for boosting productivity. But no matter what your area of expertise, be it cheese or chipsets, it’s always been survival of the fittest. Enter ERP, here to help companies get fit, stay fit, and help bridge the productivity gap.

Taking the reins

When a company decides to invest in new technology and “go digital”, they are trying to reduce the digital skills gap that holds productivity back. One of the best ways of increasing productivity is by implementing ERP. It’s not just about delivering the same output with fewer employees – it’s about implementing new technologies into your business, aimed at making your employees more productive.

Today’s modern ERP is focused on boosting company productivity. There are several factors that attribute to successful ERP implementation, namely, an ERP system’s ability to unify a company’s internal departments/branch offices, share company data, and streamline workflows and processes. To manage and control operational business processes, a robust ERP offers a platform that efficiently handles company’s data from headquarters, to the shop floor, to the customer’s door – all on one intuitive dashboard.

Why ERP adds up

We’re big fans of ERP. That said, much of how ERP bridges the gap in a company’s productivity, is how ERP helps you and your employees become more productive:

Enhances communication –  A modern ERP system holds all of your current company data, where it’s accessible in real time. When changes are made, all relevant employees in the organization are notified instantly. This is crucial in keeping your data up to date and relevant, and being able to respond quickly to customers and suppliers. ERP enhances communication with customers, supplier and remote employees, across the street, or across the globe, while mobile ERP enables communications at any time and from any location. This results in saving valuable employee time and costly resources.

Reduces manual tasks –  ERP features a range of automated tasks, easing the burden of highly inefficient manual activities. Tasks such as updating lists or inventories, creating invoices or price proposals, are now easily generated, saving time and reducing human error resulting from spreadsheets and other records and accounting software tools. ERP replaces the reams of paperwork and manual recordkeeping associated with every sized organization, so that your employees can use their time more effectively, to better serve customers, generate new leads and solicit new business. To further save time and resources, ERP integrates the latest digital technologies into your business, such as IoT and AI, to give managers a holistic, synchronized view of their business activities in real time.

Improves decision-making – An ERP system gives organisations fast real-time access to company data. With up to date information at their fingertips, managers can make more informed business decisions. Today’s business processes have become increasingly complex, requiring multiple teams and divisions to operate as a single, cohesive unit. ERP provides easy to use management dashboards that implement AI to generate in-depth analysis and recommendations. Further, an ERP system helps create and maintain cross-departmental procedures and workflows, boosting employee productivity and the company’s bottom line.

Implementing an ERP system, will, over time, put your business on track, keep it on track, and more importantly, support your processes and workflow towards better productivity. As companies continue to invest in digital technologies, productivity has more than a fighting chance of survival. Productivity starts with the individual, but it’s up to organisations, leaders and managers to set the stage first.

As for bridging the productivity gap, ERP is a very good place to start. Automate tasks, access data and shorten workflows – and that’s just for starters. Remember that increasing productivity is a slow business, but befriending your local ERP vendor may be just the push you need to jumpstart the process.

https://www.priority-software.com

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