Legacy SME systems need to be updated
As technology evolves, so do data systems. New architecture means they are now smaller and more efficient. Soon, your legacy system will be obsolete because it simply will not be able to keep up. And businesses need to update and adapt to changes – mobile and e-commerce, for example – so they are not overwhelmed and by-passed.
What does ERP stand for?
What are ERP systems? Enterprise Resource Planning software in a business-wide solution that maximises the potential and efficiency of a organisation. It will deliver the agility and power your business needs to accelerate growth and take your organisation to the next level. And new systems are built to require less computer support and can be hosted either on-premise or on the cloud.
Make the transition without getting lost:
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Stop obsessing over the cost: Keeping your legacy system around may seem like a clever option that saves you money. The issue is your old system is costing you a lot more money than you think (SAP Business One cost is not prohibitive). Additionally, there is an impact on employees’ productivity. Plus, the cost of upgrading isn’t as big of an issue as you’d think. Only 12 percent of FDs cite cost as a major challenge of adopting a new data management system.
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Start soon (now actually): Starting is scary. However, the sooner you do it, the sooner you can take advantage of its efficiency to start improving your company’s performance. And if you hesitate, you’ll soon lose the IT support you need. Fewer and fewer IT professionals are training in legacy systems support every year. The earlier you adopt, the more of a competitive advantage you’ll have over companies that are still anchored to their slow systems. Remember: Less than 40 percent of companies are utilizing the cloud. Doing so could differentiate your small business in a big way.
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Develop a strategy: You need a complete plan for how to incorporate new technology in a way that will extract all the potential (and growth). Make sure your plan includes the following (or you won’t get as much from it): strategy, methodology, technology, implementation, and adoption. These pillars should guide your data transformation process in line with your overall goals. This way, you’re not just adopting new technology for the sake of it and you are achieving best value for money.
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Invest in your team: As the leader, it’s your job to guide your team through this transition period as smoothly as possible. Devote time to training, check every employee’s progress, and spend extra time with team members who need more. Prepare for productivity to drop a bit while people make the switch and adapt. Don’t worry — it will pick up and pay you back very quickly because these new systems are designed to be much more user friendly.
Keeping your SME agile is very important. You may have grown attached to your old system (irrationally attached actually), but it’s keeping you from reaching your maximum potential. When you evolve with technology – the best ERP software – your business will survive and thrive in any competitive marketplace.
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