How to implement integrated reporting
One of the most significant benefits of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform like SAP Business One is the ability to implement integrated reporting.
The platform collates necessary data from every part of your organisation, analyses it in real-time and generates reports on the fly.
With integrated reporting, your database is fully comprehensive and builds organically with your ongoing operations day by day.
This means when you need a snapshot of your current position, it is immediately available with the most recent information, at the touch of a button.
Reports become dynamic, continually updating dashboards, rather than static documents that will quickly become obsolete.
SAP Business One does the bulk of the work to implement integrated reporting – so what can you do to make sure you get the very best out of this powerful capability?
The three factors for successful implementation
Successful implementation of integrated reporting depends on building a tripod with three strong legs:
Infrastructure
Your physical infrastructure must be up to scratch, with modern servers and network security, cloud provisioning, backup and replication.
With all of these elements in place from the get-go, you can feel confident that you have the necessary hardware to unleash your ERP software at its fullest potential.
Software
It may feel as though there are a million different software applications, packages and platforms, all promising to streamline your reporting procedures.
At APH we recommend SAP Business One. We have worked with it for many years and have found it reliable, trustworthy and capable to deliver on the very different results some clients need.
People
Finally, don’t neglect the human element. Integrated automated reporting takes away a lot of the admin burden, but sometimes you need an expert in your corner.
APH have a team of qualified, experienced technical consultants manning our support helpdesk, and we can (with your permission) view your screen remotely when you need our help to diagnose and repair a problem.
Why should I implement integrated reports?
Integrated reports reduce the risk of human error, by providing personnel at all levels with an intuitive interface, tailored to the needs of their role or department.
You can compile costs and revenues from very different parts of your business, across physical products and services, materials and subcontractors.
By bringing this data into a single platform, rather than siloed information for each department, you can generate genuinely holistic reports at any given moment.
SAP Business One does this for you, so once your reports are set up and defined in the first instance, you no longer need to repeat that admin: go to the report page and the latest results are presented instantly.
How do integrated reports help?
The immediate savings are made on admin costs, and reduced time for employees throughout your organisation to enter data.
But the knock-on return on investment is where the greatest gains can be made, as your business decisions can be made based on thorough and current data, while some decisions – such as reordering depleted stock – can be semi or fully automated.
To find out more about how to implement integrated reporting in SAP Business One, please contact APH today and one of our technical consultants will be happy to help you.
