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Load shedding, ongoing supply chain disruptions and volatility in the rand-to-dollar exchange rate are all testing their resilience and adaptability.
That’s why it’s more important than ever for small and medium-sized manufacturers to invest in the right business solutions.
Heinrich de Leeuw, Managing Director of SEIDOR South Africa, said: “Against the backdrop of difficult economic conditions, small and medium-sized enterprises need to be more flexible, efficient and competitive to develop their businesses.”
“The right enterprise management solution allows them to streamline business processes and gain the operational visibility they need to navigate a complex and rapidly changing environment.”
de Leeuw outlines some of the qualities that SME manufacturers should look for in an ERP solution:
Integration
The ideal ERP solution should have tightly integrated modules that work seamlessly together. This provides a single source of truth for all business information. Such solutions enable back-office and shop-floor teams to work together seamlessly.
For example, a South African contract manufacturer that produced personal care and cosmetics for retail customers and brand owners was frustrated by the many different applications and their limitations.
Working with SEIDOR to implement SAP Business One allowed the company to enjoy immediate benefits such as improved cost analysis, leaner warehouses, more accurate forecasting and better production management.
industry specific functions
Whether it is discrete, batch or process manufacturing, whether it is the production of food or automotive parts, small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from solutions with features designed for specific processes and vertical markets. Some specific functions to consider include inventory management, warehouse and supply chain management, and material requirements planning.
End-to-end process automation
The right ERP solution should be able to automate repetitive tasks in complex processes such as accounts payable, accounts receivable and inventory management, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency. They help reduce the need for teams to enter data into multiple systems or repeat the same process over and over again.
Get instant insights into business performance
Enterprise Resource Planning The platform should have robust reporting and analytics tools that can track performance instantly. Users should be able to gain up-to-date insights on business-critical key performance indicators to make decisions faster, more accurately and in a timely manner.
Fast and cost-effective implementation
Small and medium-sized businesses cannot invest a large budget in an ERP implementation and wait years for a return on investment. They need ERP software that can be rolled out quickly. Implementation partners with a rapid, templated ERP approach can help speed the path to software deployment and business value.
Customizability
Today’s leading ERP solutions are highly configurable, allowing users to modify the system to suit their unique needs.They can also be easily integrated with other systems such as e-commerce platforms, point-of-sale systems, and customer relationship management software.
Scalability and adaptability
An SME’s business may be small now but may grow in the future. Needs may change as the organization changes, and an ERP solution should provide a way to change and grow without having to tear everything down and start over.
“SAP Business One is an example of a powerful ERP suite that provides small and medium-sized manufacturers with a complete solution and meets all their requirements,” said de Leeuw.
“SEIDOR has a strong track record of helping small and medium-sized manufacturers in South Africa and other parts of the world unlock their strengths – through an accelerated approach to deploying pre-configured SAP Business One solutions,” he continued.
SEIDOR’s template-based approach offers a number of attractive benefits, including rapid implementation of best business practices.
The rapid implementation time and low-disruption approach minimized the impact of the rollout on the business, allowing operations to continue as usual. Once implemented, the solution can enable process coordination across business units and reduce operating costs.
Click here to learn more about SEIDOR Africa.
