Whether your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is currently working to your company's best advantage, or there is room for improvement, chances are that at some point the time will come for the system to be replaced. The software system in place today may function smoothly, but to keep up with the changing pace of business, your company's ERP system must be able to keep pace with the latest trends.

But switching ERP systems can be a big undertaking. As such, it's a good idea to take a look at your current system to see what can be changed, before deciding to replace the system. 

As Robert Kugel writes in an article for Smart Data Collective, in some cases in which a company's ERP system begins to show signs that it will do more to hinder progress than to help it, it may be time to make an adjustment. However, these changes do not automatically mean that the entire system must be replaced. Kugel describes some of the signs that it might be time to change your system.

Here are some signs that may indicate that it's time to make the switch:

The system was not implemented correctly. When an inexperienced software consultant installs your ERP system, it is possible that it will not be configured optimally. In turn, this could create issues that affect your business operations. Having a knowledgeable consultant can help ensure your system is set up well right from the start. Kugel suggests soliciting feedback from various groups that use the system in order to determine whether the issue is stemming from the software or is being caused by other factors. 

When the system struggles to handle multiple business functions. When business management software must handle a multitude of different tasks, creating an effective system can be a challenge. If your current system is not meeting your operational demands, it may be time to alter it or upgrade. 

When configuring the system becomes too difficult. Kugel notes that changes in a company over time can lead to difficulties in configuring a system. Some of the reasons for this occurrence may include a change to the business model, or it may no longer be able to handle the volume of transactions from increases in demand. 

When there is more data than the system can handle. Your current system may be experiencing more data than it is equipped to manage. However, this does not necessarily mean it needs to be replaced entirely. An operational data store can be implemented to handle this aspect of your operations, thereby taking some of the stress off of the ERP system. 

By taking a close look at your current software and how it is managing each facet of your business, you will be able to determine whether it's time to switch systems, or if there are other changes that can be made to improve the one currently in place. With a software system that allows you to make the needed changes, you make sure your ERP system meets the challenges and changes of your business. It is important to bear in mind not only what your company's needs are, but what they may be in the future, and select an ERP software that is versatile and adaptable as your business evolves. 

When you have manufacturing software that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your specific company, your company can save time and money making improvements on an as-needed basis, rather than having to overhaul the system entirely. Accent Software provides comprehensive business management software for companies in the Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana areas. We can help make your software transition a smooth one. 

The reshoring trend has helped bolster the American economy during its recent swell over the past few months. While this is undeniably a good thing, the major job movement presents some significant challenges to companies.

Specifically, making sure that the moves are indeed profitable in the long run is key to undergoing a successful reshoring process. As Pat Garrehy puts it in this article for Manufacturing Business Technology, many of these problems can be addressed and fixed with the implementation of cloud-based ERP system.

• Better process visibility: One of the problems that the restructuring that comes with reshoring can present is the shuffling of operations, during which lags in productivity can get lost in the fold. Making the transition to the cloud can allow your ERP system to handle the greater loads of data needed to keep all your company's functions transparent.
• Improved speed: With the cloud, deployment is always faster, meaning less wasted time and more resources being devoted to making a desirable product.
• Eliminate slip-ups: Cloud-based ERP allows for more expedient transferal of data and greater control over multiple facilities, something that legacy ERP systems often lack. "Manufacturing cloud ERP modules serve every step in the manufacturing process to increase efficiencies, control costs and ultimately increase revenue," says Garrehy.
• Mobile capability: The general societal trend towards working on the move with devices like smart phones and tablets lends itself to the cloud. Manufacturers utilizing the cloud can therefore access information pertinent to their operations not just on premises, but anywhere where they have a signal.

The advantages of moving to the cloud are clear, but making that move is easier said than done. Accent ERP has the expertise needed to ease the shift to cloud-based ERP for your Indiana, Ohio or Kentucky manufacturing business. 

One of the more challenging aspects of having an enterprise resource planning system is the integration of that system into your operations. Once the ERP is set up and running, it in theory should make your business practices leaner and easier to manage.

As the world of ERP evolves, it becomes more and more necessary to keep pace with the industry standard so that your productivity and efficiency reach the levels that your competitors' do. As Larry Korak of Manufacturing Business Technology puts it, "To make the most of new strategies, such as collaboration through social media, business intelligence and deep analytics, manufacturers now need a level of flexibility and agility that old, outdated ERP solutions or homegrown applications cannot provide."

So many times, the implementation of a new system is necessary. What can you to make sure the process is as expeditious as possible?

Korak believes that the devil is in the details. The more particular you are with your requirements, the better ERP vendors can meet your needs. He goes on to give a related tip, saying that specialization is key, and that finding it will "eliminate the need for costly modifications."

Perhaps most important is doing what you can in the beginning to make sure maintenance of the system in the future is as smooth as it can be. That comes with training, says Korak, who says that ensuring all employees are familiar and comfortable with the new system is "paramount" to the ERP actually working in the future.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV has the flexibility and the high-level of competency to adapt to your manufacturing business' needs, and Accent Software has the experience with that software to implement it effectively, as well as the expertise to train your staff in its management. 

ERP software becomes more popular in the manufacturing industry with each passing year. And the new generation beginning to break into the manufacturing industry, says Phil Lewis of Global Manufacturing, "refuses to settle for unwieldy, confusing applications that only make their jobs harder. Instead they are demanding the same standards they are accustomed to in Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat when they need to check an order status, track their supply chain or establish a BoM."

This has led software companies to create more user-friendly, streamlined interfaces, ones that fit the sensibilities of the millennials that are now beginning to take hold in the manufacturing workforce. Lewis believes that there is a "clear business case" for having programs that mirror the aesthetics of the sleek iPhone and Android apps young people now use.

Lewis goes on to caution people valuing style over substance, emphasizing the utmost importance of balancing form and functionality, something companies like Microsoft tend to do with their manufacturing business software.

As the manufacturing sector gets younger as a whole, the use of ERP becomes more the standard for business management software. This makes it all the more important for companies to implement ERP into their operations to make sure their services remain competitive.

Accent Software has the tools necessary to make the ERP integration process as smooth, straightforward and speedy as possible. Our decade plus of experience with the state-of-the-art Microsoft Dynamics NAV program makes us the perfect people to help guide your business toward maximum productivity. And in addition to our installation services, we make sure your employees have the knowledge needed to run the system; we also offer troubleshooting in the period after.

If your Indiana, Ohio or Kentucky business is looking to make the next step, give us a call at Accent Software. 

In an article for Business Week, Harold Sirkin stresses the significance of manufacturers with less than 500 employees in their workforce. Sirkin purports that "it is generally from these small companies that the jobs of the future will spring," and that "many of these smaller companies are critical to the success of the big guys, supplying parts and components across a wide range of industries."

Despite this, the needs of smaller manufacturers are often forgotten. A report by the Center for American Progress showed that there are numerous obstacles between small manufacturing businesses and the venture capital they need to "restructure, grow, and scale up," and that their ability to utilize bond markets is highly restricted by "high borrowing and transaction costs."

We know that the success of small to mid-size manufacturers is a crucial component of the American economy. Still, running a manufacturing company can be a tough road. So what can you do to make sure your business is humming at optimum efficiency?

Having the right manufacturing business software is key to shedding your company's inefficient processes and ensuring your workflow is as streamlined and productive as can be. Having a quality enterprise resource planning system is becoming an industry standard due to its numerous time- and resource-saving benefits.

Finding, implementing and maintaining that software system can be a challenge, though. How can you assure yourself that your ERP software is doing the most it can for your company?

Accent Software is the solution for your Indiana, Ohio or Kentucky business' manufacturing ERP software needs. We have the expertise and experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV needed to get your company's operations to peak profitability, and keep them there.