ERP tools are complex and often cumbersome, but mobile ERP brings system-level functionality to mobile devices and tablets, putting the power of your ERP system in the palm of your hand. Modern ERP systems with mobile tools enable full system functionality that one can expect to use on a desktop (on-premise ERP), to be easily accessed from a mobile device.
Mobile ERP has fast become a necessary tool for employees now working from home, in addition to off-site, at client locations, or anywhere around the globe. It’s an efficient tool for field technicians and sales teams who can access operational, customer, product and parts information, and more, on-the-go. This means real-time access and visibility of customer and sales data and documentation, tracking sales rep routes, following sales teams’ daily schedules, and more.
Data beyond the small screen
Today, even the most basic mobile devices are equipped with advanced, high-resolution cameras and GPS technology. Mobile devices’ advanced functionality enables a mobile ERP app to receive and take photos, detect locations, and even film videos. In turn, business data can be enriched with various content options that cannot be done from an on-premise ERP system.
Mobile ERP apps are automatically synced in the system, and changes made in the mobile app are immediately updated in real-time. As a result, no matter where employees are located, all data gets synchronized, eliminating the need to enter data into the onsite ERP system. This way, a standard set of data in your central database gets updated with the latest information when remote or offsite employees make changes. What’s more, all changes made to the data are recorded for easy tracking and monitoring.
Mobile ERP is designed to work on all types of mobile devices and tablets, with the most commonly supported operating systems, Android and iOS. Some mobile ERP apps offer Windows compatibility as well. Most important is that an ERP app is built using a web-based HTML 5 user interface, so it can be easily accessed from various mobile devices and adjust itself to different screen sizes.
Some ERP features are better suited for use on a mobile platform because mobile devices aren’t stationary – they move. For example, today’s mobile ERP apps enable offsite employees to receive proof of delivery from customers, update service requests when at a customer’s site, receive payments and issue receipts – all from their mobile device. Plus, remote employees can track their time and attendance when working from home.