Why Every Small Business Needs an ERP: The Unofficial Small Business Guide

Are you looking to grow your small business with ERP? An Enterprise Resource Application (ERP) such as NetSuite provides the backbone of any business looking to scale.

Introduction

Although many smaller businesses think they’re too small to need an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, many small companies are actually the size that can benefit the most from the software. Many small businesses aren’t making the most of the opportunities that come their way because they don’t have an integrated platform that can take care of all of their business and accounting needs in a single unified application.

Why Every Small Business Needs an ERP

The basic definition of an ERP is a specialized tool that provides managers with a centralized view of finances, sales, procurement, manufacturing, customers, vendors and product information.  While this is a simple definition, it's also not the full scope of what ERP encompasses. For starters, an ERP is not the same as an accounting software. ERP isn't just a pretty front-end interface that looks nice and allows you to do the math.  An ERP is a complete and integrated suite of software and services that manages your entire operation from a centralized dashboard.

An ERP such as NetSuite will typically be used to keep track of a company’s financials, inventory, purchasing and sales, and customer-facing processes such as customer relationship management (CRM) and sales. With the right ERP, businesses can increase the efficiency of their management, better support their customers, and build a more focused marketing strategy.

You can’t grow if you don’t have a system for tracking information.  Without an integrated ERP system, small and midsize businesses are operating in a silo, creating huge barriers to growth.

You may have heard that ERP solutions are intimidating, but don't worry, the good news is that setting up an ERP can actually be quite simple when you select the right system and implementation partner.  CEBA Solutions is a solution partner of NetSuite ERP and we help small business scale their businesses with NetSuite.

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Benefits of ERP for Small Business

Small businesses need an ERP to automate all of their business processes into a single, integrated system.

Real Time Reporting

An ERP will give you real-time data and insights to make informed decisions about your business. It allows you to track every aspect of your business in one place, from finances to inventory to sales and customers.

Save Time and Money

Additionally, an ERP will save you time and money by streamlining your processes and eliminating the need for manual data entry. It can automate tasks such as billing, invoicing, and shipping, and it can provide visibility into your entire supply chain to identify issues and optimize your operations.

Improve Customer Service

ERP will also improve customer service by giving you a 360-degree view of your customers. With an ERP, you can track every interaction with a customer, from their initial contact with your company to their purchase history. This information will help you provide better support and develop stronger customer relationships.

Scalability from Day One

An ERP will help you scale your business. With an ERP in place, you’ll have the foundation you need to support growth. As your business expands, you can add new users, modules, and functionality to your system to keep pace with your growth.

Conclusion

There are various reasons a small business might consider an ERP, including faster time-to-market, cost-saving, and time-saving benefits. Although it may seem expensive, it is not and is a wise investment in your company's future.

About CEBA Solutions

CEBA Solutions is a solution partner of NetSuite ERP, the world’s most deployed cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. We offer a complete suite of services to help small businesses scale their businesses with NetSuite. Our team of experts will work with you to assess your needs, select the right solution, and implement NetSuite in your business. We also offer ongoing support and training to help you get the most out of your investment.

For more information about our services, contact us today.

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