Defined by Gartner as the ability to deliver an integrated suite of business applications, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a tool that is used by apparel and fashion brands and retailers. Capable of gathering and organizing business data through an integrated software suite, ERP, which was initially designed for manufacturing companies, is a solution that has been helping the fashion industry improve internal processes by increasing efficiency and enhancing company performance.
Although Cloud ERP can improve so many aspects of the fashion business, making it an ideal solution, it does come with challenges that are avoidable when addressed at the start. According to Rootstock Software, a company that helps manufacturers and distributors, before fashion businesses commit to cloud ERP software, they need first to address difficulties that can occur. So before you roll it out, ask yourself the following:
Do You Need ERP?
It seems obvious, but before you implement ERP, determine why you need it in the first place. Doing so will help you understand the role the solution could play in bettering your business overall.
What Are Your Expectations?
When implementing ERP, it is in your business’ best interest to have a few expectations. Patience is key. Also, keep an open mind. If the solution is right for you, then you should see meaningful results that give you ROI.
Should You Implement Everything at Once?
Experts advise that fashion businesses should break implementation into small steps, consistently seek user input on requirements, test the system, solicit feedback on results, and adjust as needed.
How Can You Up Your Game?
Once you have committed to ERP, you should make sure that you have someone with technical expertise to help you enable your new ERP solution. Putting an expert in place will not only up your game, but it will also ensure that your chosen Enterprise Resource Planning solution will not only work for you but also be implemented correctly.
What Kind of Maintenance Needs To Be In Place?
Like any other software, it makes sense that someone in the company is responsible for ensuring that the system is running well. By ensuring that the ERP is functional and up to date, you will be able to maintain the technology while also keeping an eye on how it is progressing since it was rolled out.
Which ERP Vendor Should You Use?
With a lot of ERP software vendors available, you need to ask yourself, does their solution focus on what I need? This is an important question because the vendors provide for specific manufacturing verticals. Do not focus so much on whether you should turn to a large or small ERP vendor, but concentrate more on finding out which vendor has the kind of experience that will help you reach your goals.
So if you are going to take away anything, let it be this, to avoid common hurdles usually associated with Cloud ERP software, you need to identify the challenges so you can overcome them. Once you have done this, you should be able to successfully roll out your chosen ERP solution and enjoy its benefits, like scalability, mobility enablement, and the agility to support multiple manufacturing modes simultaneously.
