Table of Contents:
Types of ERP on the Market Today
By Tim O'Brien on 10/27/23 1:15 AM
Choosing between the types of ERP systems available
It can be an involved and complicated process for first-time evaluators to understand the types of ERP on the market and decide which meet the business requirements and objectives. There’s a significant research component when kicking off an ERP evaluation.
An Exhaustive ERP Cost Breakdown
By Bryan Foshee on 10/20/23 4:00 AM
Some background before we begin
The process to evaluate and choose an ERP software is not a simple task; as a matter of fact, it is a complex task. Because of the risk and cost, it’s a big decision for a company, big or small, to find and implement an ERP. I have numerous conversations with companies that are going through this selection process, and if they don’t bring up the subject of cost in our first conversation, then I do because it is so important! To help you set a realistic budget for your new ERP system, read below for a list of costs you should plan for.
ERP Implementation Costs & Estimates to Plan For
By Jason Brown on 10/18/23 10:30 AM
Is everything in your budget?
When companies are looking for a new ERP or reimplementing a system, they start with a budget. That budget typically includes standard implementation costs and estimates on service hours from vendors. But those vendor quotes are almost never inclusive of everything. While not hidden, these unexpected costs can be high enough that the budget is at risk.
ERP Database Design: A Guide for Non-Technical Managers
By Bryan Foshee on 9/15/23 10:00 AM
What is an ERP database?
All ERP solutions have a database, which is where all the information is stored. This is important information, like customers, vendors, parts, costs, balances, and so on.
How to Choose an ERP Vendor – Before the Demonstrations
By Tim O'Brien on 9/13/23 10:00 AM
You need a plan that outlines how to choose an ERP vendor and system
It may seem relatively easy to choose an ERP vendor—just pick the one that offers the best technology and customer support, right? But it’s often not that straightforward because many companies do not have a plan when evaluating vendors. I’ve been involved in enterprise application sales for over 25 years and there is little consistency on how organizations evaluate vendors like Visual South. What I can tell you is that organizations are happiest with their choice of ERP vendor when the evaluation team has a logical process in place to assess the ERP system’s functionality and the vendor’s services.
How To Run an ERP Conversion and Data Migration
By Bryan Foshee on 8/17/23 10:00 AM
What is a data migration and why is it important?
ERP data migration is a big step in the implementation process that is critical to get right. The ERP system will not function at optimal levels otherwise. Smaller start-up companies typically have less data to convert than larger businesses that have been around for decades, but data migration takes place in all implementations. So, what is it? In simple terms, it is getting the information out of the old system and putting it in the new system.
Benefits of the Infor API Toolkit
By Jason Brown on 8/2/23 10:00 AM
API defined
One of the most common questions we hear during implementations lead by Visual South is, “Can we connect our current solution to your ERP system?” The answer is YES. The Infor API (Application Programming Interface) Toolkit was built with the different manufacturing verticals in mind to manage all connected applications. In other words, it connects different applications across internal platforms or third-party platforms to share information.
ERP Implementation Services: How We Help
By Jason Brown on 6/28/23 10:00 AM
There is a process
Implementations are not something a business does all the time, so most tend to look for a consulting group like Visual South to guide them. We have been implementing companies across the country since the early 90s to help them address multiple business needs. Over the decades, we have developed an implementation process that is methodical, thorough, and has consistently proven to be successful. Here are some of the ERP implementation services we offer and why we think they play a big role in the overarching plan.
On-Time Delivery KPI For Manufacturers: How To Measure/Improve
By Jack Shannon on 6/22/23 10:00 AM
Measure what you want to improve
There are many opinions as to what key performance indicators (KPIs) should be monitored at a small to medium-sized manufacturing company, but the on-time delivery (OTD) KPI is on everyone’s list. It doesn’t matter if the company is build-to-stock, a job shop, or something in-between; there are many steps in coordinating the production of a product and OTD is a nice summation of manufacturing performance.