What does ERP mean?
The literal translation of the word ERP is Enterprise Resource Planning.
This is a software package or application, usually multi-modular, offering integrated solutions designed to support all business processes of our company.
How has this software evolved?
The earliest historical record of existing ERP's may be found in the year 1945. During World War II the U.S. government used specialized software to manage the resources of Materials (Inventory Management) that were used in the battle front.
In the late 50's (1959) and early 60's MRP (Material Requirement Planning) were introduced in the productive sectors: companies using these solutions for inventory control activities, billing, payment and payroll administration. The main purpose of MRP was that help her plan what materials would be needed during the production process and also manage the acquisition.
In the 80 establishing the MRP II, who, unlike his predecessors, he acknowledged that companies suffered interruptions in operation, sudden changes and resource limitations that go beyond the availability of materials.
In the early 90s, ERP solutions consolidated into a single information system, various critical business operations, allowed the business information to be shared and used by different areas and offering a single interface for connectivity.
In the middle of that decade, under the premise of looking out, the technology of ERP business entered a new process of evolution, incorporating solutions that complement or extend the functions of traditional ERP.
Closer in 2000, these solutions linking business operation areas that are already managed by an ERP with suppliers. This implies that the supplier can enter the system of the company and vice versa, creating the SCM.
the turn of the century, once the ERP have integrated technological tools, go to e-business. ERPs are integrally structured to import and export information in a flexible way. The e-business is simply integrating their systems with the Internet.
Three important reasons to implement an ERP
Increasing competitiveness: Businesses require continuous optimization cost policy either production, marketing or management, as well as a steady increase in their productivity.
Better manage their operations: both multitenant environments and in companies in which its activity is distributed in the various departments of business, it is important to consolidated management information generated. Another issue of considerable importance is the subsequent management of that data through the appropriate application, which integrates and organizes and supports to allow decisions more easily.
Integrate all our information: It is extremely important to integrate the information of critical business areas such as sales, finance, distribution, manufacturing, etc. Also keep in mind that you must choose solutions that integrate with other traditional applications for business critical applications and fully capable of operating in an electronic business environment.
What are the benefits of an ERP?
1. - Speed and efficiency in decision making:
- Truthful, accurate information integrated in all departments. TOTAL CONTROL company for business planning.
- Integrated access to information in real time. Speed and efficiency of information
- Full control of the company and the information generated
- Data accessible from anywhere
- Competitiveness: Reducing management costs
- Changing needs. Flexibility. Do not be caught off guard changes
2. - More effective ANSWER YOUR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS
- Reconception of the business vision of companies putting the consumer at the center.
- Optimization of information flows, open to the extended enterprise, customers and partners.
- Accelerates business relationships. Get the most out of these relationships.
- Minimize response time to customers and suppliers
- Allows for quick and effective reaction to market.
3. - Greater efficiency in management processes. INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
- Improve information management
- Optimize work processes. More effectively and efficiently
- Reduce management costs:
- Automates the basic operations of the company. Efficacy in the internal and external processes.
- Standardize and simplify business processes.
- Do not work in duplicate, by costs by eliminating possible errors. Reduces time.
- Optimizes resources.
Could we see a simple example?
Suppose one of our sales goes to one of our clients in order to place an order. Seller may suggest specific amounts for each of the products, because it has access to sales statistics above with this Client.
The client checks the purchasing volume that interests you and the seller can make check for stock in the warehouse. If records have not received your order and the time response which can actually perform the delivery. In turn, you can check at the same time the risk (credit standing) Client.
Moreover, with the same purchase order, the Warehouse already has instructions albaranar existing material and know you are going to make an additional amount, when they will receive when Production and Customer shall deliver.
Production has already scheduled record Order and its subsequent delivery to manufacturing and distribution sector of the Company.
Shopping and is engaged in negotiations to acquire the raw materials required for manufacturing the product.
Sales, to deliver the product to the customer and give it as?? Received??, Proceeds to its billing
Treasury and Accounting provides an account for the payment to make. At the time the customer pays, with this income account is deleted to reflect the collection.
Another advantage is that if our suppliers have in turn their own ERP, orders can be made via e-commerce automatically and vendor payments can also be programmed according to the purchase planning. Thus we should only worry about the payments can not be made due to lack of liquidity in order to reprogram or get the funds to do so.
Why is an ERP considered to be packaged software?
In principle, when a company acquires an ERP purchase software that is prepared for the management of the company is much more effective in every way, regardless of the activity that engaged.
Usually accompanied by an ERP specific development tools that can be managed by the user to customize the software bundled with their management needs particular.
In short, although we start from a standard when purchasing an ERP must understand that their "start-up" in the company will require a number of settings and modifications prior to use.
As a result of the foregoing, it will be necessary that along with the purchase of ERP is required of an ERP implementer become knowledgeable expert to perform the corresponding analysis of the company's business and ERP functionality adapted to this.
What is the future of ERP?
The ERP application is already established in business life. After a period of crisis in the industry, today we can say that the ERP is a great present and a promising future.
Given our experience, we can say that in the years to virtually every company with a degree of complexity requiring processes and improve their effectiveness as ERP will be using some formula to gain competitiveness.
What should we consider when purchasing an ERP?
What is the best solution? Will it fit my particular needs of SMEs?
The ideal solution would be one that best suits your needs. This has to be clear what the objective pursued. Professional consultants can help you define these objectives
How I can hit a process that is critical to my business?
In the process should involve all areas of the company in order to establish the real needs and requirements of users, as well as detailing and cataloging the needs are to be met, establishing an order of priorities.
A criterion that is really effective for selecting an ERP solution that is supported by a team of professionals with sufficient expertise to support the whole process of adaptation and implementation of the same. These experts help after appropriate analysis of your needs, to find the best way for you to be able to optimize the tools built into your ERP.
What I consider to be easy to use this solution yet powerful enough for what my company needs?
Using Microsoft environment, with intuitive screens and repetitive with what the user quickly becomes familiar with the program.
Enabling integration with Microsoft products: MS Office, MS Sharepoint, MS Project
Make it easy to install and manage. And if possible, be given the source code so that you can keep it.
Ten factors for a successful ERP implementation
Claudia Cerezo in his article "Beyond the internal business processes: ERP's on the Web" says the ten factors for the successful implementation of an ERP:
1. The vision of a business project.
It is vital that the ERP project is designated a multidisciplinary team to avoid losing business vision.
2. Formation of a project committee.
You need to create a committee representing every area of the company, as this type of technology will have repercussions throughout the organization. The committee should meet periodically to review progress, identify strategies, prioritize and resolve conflicts. The commitment and involvement of top management are essential.
3. Appointment of a project leader.
This leader must know perfectly functional and business organization as such. Must have the ability to make decisions and resolve conflicts. It also should coordinate efforts and tasks of different areas.
4. Involving users.
There are key employees in the implementation process. The training of these is very important because their participation in the new information system will be part of everyday life.
5. Training beyond technological concepts.
There are new models that are revolutionizing the way of doing business, which can be applied to make technology a more profitable. New tools such as the Internet are today an important role in the business, so it is essential that the personnel are trained, not only in the ERP system, but planning concepts, new terminology, procedures and operational techniques, among others.
6. Adaptation to existing programs.
Every company requires to meet their specific needs, but existing programs and packages are built to quality standards or practices worldwide. This way you can find on the market the ideal tool, directed for each type of industry, to which he made a few small adjustments to make it to the needs of each company. It is advisable not to create programs or adaptations that go against the philosophy of the package purchased, because it can cause a great cost when migrating to future releases.
7. Development of a detailed program.
It is advisable to draw up a detailed program and responsible times recursively, in order to observe the progress of the project, check the work done and the next to perform, and to identify potential problems. In developing the program of work should involve key users to specify the times that will lead certain activities such as data loading, data cleaning, time for training, and so on.
8. Resorting to expert consultants.
The point of view of an outsider is essential in this type of project. Currently there are several alternatives that provide advisory guidance to implement the solution. It is important to check these sources experience in accounts of the same size and orientation. It is also essential to ensure that they have a culture close to your business and have a similar methodology.
9. A new vision.
The successful implementation of ERP technology is the responsibility of the entire company. It is essential to encourage teamwork because from the ERP implementation, the data entered by a user will be used by one from a completely different area.
10. The monitoring.
It is necessary to realize that the implementation of an ERP system is a process of continuous improvement. The project requires constant maintenance as new options that increase the chances for improvement, upgrades, training and regular reviews with your consultant to get the most out of the solution.
sn. What guarantees should require the manufacturer?
Guarantee of success.
Quality Assurance Service.
Warranty Innovative Solutions.
Future Guarantee.
Financial Guarantee.
¿And Solmicro-eXpertis?
Solmicro-eXpertis is a 100% owned Solmicro, Spanish company with 15 years of experience in developing management solutions based on Microsoft tools.
Solmicro-eXpertis requires no tools or other products, beyond the operating systems and databases, for operation.
The improvements, future developments and strategic decisions in R & D are not given by an external center of decision but are the result of input and suggestions from channel partners and consultants Solmicro-eXpertis users.
These decisions are made quickly and flexibly and are known in advance by the consulting partners. The versioning system proposed by Solmicro-eXpertis respects the characteristics of each facility but remains technologically updated the solution for each customer.
Why do we say that Solmicro-eXpertis has been developed with a technology that is state-of-the-art, standard and open?
Pacesetter: it is the only market ERP developed in. NET, and as a model of distributed computing architecture components in three layers, which places Solmicro-eXpertis clear leading position in technology, as almost all existing ERPs even today, keep versions in client-server architecture.
Standard: for the development tools that are built based on the most widespread on the market (Visual Studio. NET, Crystal Reports).
Open: for Solmicro-eXpertis available tools and wizards to adapt or build new modules. It works on different standard databases and is scheduled to multiplatform development.
Besides computing architecture Solmicro-eXpertis has been specially built for distributed installations and all types of work environments (Internet) without using remote desktop applications.
Easily integrates with Microsoft tools (Project, Office, EPM, Shareoint,).
And what guarantees does Solmicro-eXpertis offer me for the future?
Above all it offers a guaranteed and planned developments.
The development plan in terms of new technological and functional versions Solmicro-eXpertis is shared with partners consultants. Solmicro-eXpertis versions have a plan for both planned and known.
Each version incorporates a known number of technical improvements and new functional contents that justify the launch of a new version.
This evolution is made taking into account the installed base and ensure its updating. Current versions of Solmicro-eXpertis can work on future versions whose development has already been planned, as well as developments in technology and adaptations Solmicro-eXpertis by our consulting partners for certain customers or industries.
In general, what are the main functions of an ERP?
Database BDG general, of products and processes
CTB Management Accountant
TES Treasury Management
IMV Management Fixed Assets
Business Contact Management CRM
Tracking control SCO trade deals
VEN delivery schedules, shipments and invoicing
COM Purchasing and supplies
STC stock control
MRP Material Requirements Planning and Resources
OPT Production Scheduling
Production control CTP
GCC Management and Cost Control
MPC Preventive and corrective maintenance
CAL Quality Management
SBC Management outsourcing
PRJ Project Management
EDI Integration EDI
Sales POS Point of Sale
CFG Product Configurator
DOC Document Management
HR Human Resources
What service do Solmicro-eXpertis's consultant partners provide?
Pro: They have all the "know how" and a methodology to provide a service of high added value.
Integral: Analyze customer needs, customize the tool, and provide technical support, training, attending incidents and handle updates and post-sales maintenance.
Proximity service, quick and convenient to have a single contact.
In short, our consulting group is focused on customer needs, providing lasting relations based on trust and service.
What references are available for Solmicro-eXpertis?
References contrasted in all sectors and sizes of companies.
More than 1,000 locations.
More than 20,000 users.
Single workstation.
More than 30 sectors covered (distribution, financial, construction, industrial, agricultural, food, consulting, engineering, administration, equipment rentals, wineries)
What are the main technical requirements for working with Solmicro-eXpertis? Hardware
Server: Factor variable depending on various parameters.
If Solmicro-eXpertis will coexist with other programs such as Exchange Server, SharePoint, Fax server, server other applications.
The number of users who work with the application.
Installation for 5 concurrent users and 3, with only minimal server-eXpertis Solmicro.
P-IV to 800 MHz
RAM 512.
2 GB of free disk space.
Recommended network to 100 Mb
client:
P-III 800 MHz
128 Mb of RAM.
4 GB hard drive (800 Mb free).
software
server:
Operating System: Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server.
Database: SQL Server.
* As mentioned above, Microsoft ISV Solmicro is, this makes any Solmicro distributor, to sell SQL Server along with licenses to Solmicro-eXpertis very competitive prices.
client:
Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional.
What is a CRM?
Customer Relations Manager (Customer Relationship Management)
It enables organizations to manage and coordinate operations with the customer through multiple channels, departments, business lines and geographies, all this helps the organization to maximize the value of each share with the client and improve corporate performance.
What are the benefits of E-Business?
This is the new model for the development of current and future business.
This model does not imply "Investing in Technology" but "save thanks to technology."
Given their growth, have appeared different types of Internet business, all encompassed under the term e-Business: B2B, B2C, C2C, E-Procurement.
What do B2B transactions involve?
Business to business B2B (Business to Business).
Define transactions between companies that choose to buy and sell their products over the Internet.
This utility will allow supplier relationships will be strengthened further and used as a method of communication that seeks minimal transaction costs, reduced unplanned demand and reduced response times.
Ultimately, fosters relationships free of mistakes, failures or unexpected changes in terms of price and availability
What do the initials B2C stand for?
Business to Consumer. (Business to Consumer)
Type of business in which the company uses technology and communications to establish a website, where you host a virtual store in which a catalog of products and services, all aimed at the consumer, rather than business.
What do the initials C2C stand for?
Consumer to Consumer.
Type conducting electronic commerce between individuals, for which exploit the characteristics of some classified ad sites with electronic auctions programs.
What are the benefits of E-Procurement?
Also called e-Purchasing.
Model which provides a new way of managing an organization purchases, creating a source of competitive advantage aimed at saving resources, better standard of customer information and integration? provider.
What is the significance of membership of the Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program?
The Gold Certified Partner consultants represent the highest level of competence and expertise in Microsoft technologies.
They enjoy a closer relationship with the company.
Microsoft validates to these professionals with the highest recognition as Microsoft tech savvy.
What is .NET?
Technology created by Microsoft and released in 2000.
Microsoft proprietary technology that has accelerated the development of applications, both Web and Win.
It is ready to adapt to the new world multi-device (PDA, Smartphone, Tablet PCs,??.) Because for the simple fact of creating a. NET Framework, or platform. Net, where applications execute. NET for each device, can be reused multiple times generated code once.
Like a code-independent intermediate language that you write application code. So now a person who knows Visual Basic. NET will generate code similar to another person to write your code in C #.
Supports Web Services. These Web services can exchange information through the Web by using assumed by the W3C standards such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI.
