The ability to change is the strongest link in supply chain software

Keith Fenner, Strategic Sales Director, Softline Accpac, says the benefit of supply chain management only comes from ERP, so when choosing the software solution to enable you to reap optimal results, make sure it is as lean as your manufacturing facility. Efficient ERP software will give a single view of data, thereby enabling you to act swiftly in accordance with change.

A comprehensive ERP solution helps you manage your supply network with your own resources for manufacturing and distribution, in collaboration with external resources such as sub-contractors, partners and suppliers. Softline Accpac, Fenner says, provides solutions that enable its customers to gain the flexibility to achieve a dynamic balance between efficiency and responsiveness.

“Lean and agile supply chains are key in meeting today’s challenges of demand and supply uncertainties, cost reductions, and complexity,” Fenner says. “The intensity of the business arena clearly illustrates the importance of a highly responsive supply chain. A company needs the ability to swiftly evolve in accordance with change, making it essential that their supply chain has the in-built flexibility to respond with the minimum of upheaval.”

As many companies still struggle to get staff buy-in to software solutions, those in the market for it are always looking for the ultimate in user friendliness – something which is a hot topic of discussion when ERP is on the agenda according to Fenner

He says supply chain automation is uniquely difficult because its complexity is far reaching, calling for a change in the way your own staff work and also those at each supplier you add to your network. So, in order to get your supply chain partners to collaborate with you on the implementation of an ERP system, you have to be upfront about your reasons and goals and be willing to compromise to help your partners to achieve their own goals.

A software solution that scores high in usability will shorten implementation time and reduce the amount of training required to go live. This, in turn, enables a faster return on investment and delivers benefits more quickly. Such a system will result in a lower total cost of ownership, is likely to change and grow with the user’s company, allows for easy upgrades and interoperability, and makes it much less likely that it will need to be replaced to enable future business processes.

So how does a potential purchaser judge the usability of software? Definitely not on a “demo” from the vendor, Fenner says. Matching software business flows with in-house business processes does not really say anything about the system’s ability to support future needs. Even a hands-on session will not help to make the right choice in this crucial decision.

Fenner says that, firstly, the software architecture should use industry standards and must include strong security features. Next, look for application flexibility and how easily the software can be customised. “The application should be easy and inexpensive to upgrade as new releases come out, even after customisation,” Fenner says. “In addition, there should be built-in workflows, analytics and a world-class portal with role-based metrics available. If the prospective vendor cannot show evidence of these, then it is not likely to make the grade in terms of usability.”

The decision to invest in a new ERP system typically involves a number of stages – recognising the need for a new system, analysing the need, investigating available solutions, requesting quotes from solution providers, purchasing the solution, implementing the solution and recognising changing needs.

“Recognising changing needs is the final step in the process and this is where Accpac’s 360-degree philosophy makes all the difference,” Fenner says. “Our ability to consistently monitor customer feedback, keep on top of any technology changes, constantly update our business solutions and supply these solutions via our Support Plus programme means that customers should never have to begin the cycle of investing in a new ERP system again.”