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If you own a small business, there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to choosing an ERP system to manage your operational business processes and finances. Small businesses, from just a few, up to 50 employees, can learn, use, and enjoy the value-added benefits of an ERP. Gone are the days of complex and costly systems once designed for large-size companies only. Today, any small business that’s on the rise, and primed and ready to forge ahead, can generate measurable value from an ERP system, with the right modules tailored to your specific business needs.
Take a look at what you need to know to select the best ERP that meets the needs of your small, but growing business.
At the starting gate
As your small businesses expands its operations, takes on additional employees, and generates more sales, chances are, you’ll find that you’ve outgrown your manual processes – and your legacy systems. While you may be familiar with the “ins and outs” of ERP, choosing an ERP system is no easy feat. That’s because there are numerous options to choose from, all varying types and sizes, and lots of different options available for each and every system.
While the “shopping spree” can be arduous, it’s essential that you do your due diligence – and do your homework, first. If you’re turning your attention to ERP and considering implementing an ERP system in your organization, determining and carefully assessing all of the relevant options, is your first order of business.
At the starting gate
5 steps to follow for a smooth and (relatively) hassle-free ERP selection process:
When you’re ready to take the plunge, you first need to research the market to better understand what your options are, in terms of features, functionality, and price. While reams of information are available on ERP software providers’ websites, it’s easy to get lost in the technical and marketing jargon, but you can still get a good overview of their product offering. Check out software review websites. Super helpful, you can read about the various vendors, what they’re selling, what their customers have to say, and even compare functionality and price amongst leading competitors.
To answer this question, you’ll need to draw up a detailed list of your “real” business requirements – what you need today, and what you expect/anticipate for the future, as your business grows. Compare your list to the various ERP vendor offerings, and determine who measures up, best. Discuss your actual business needs with other managers, such as R&D, Sales, and Accounting, to gain insights on efficiency and productivity, that will help you create a shortlist of viable contenders.
Many ERP vendors will help you create your list of requirements, and provide you with a Request for Proposal (RFP) template. The RFP will typically include a list of features and functionality for the ERP system you’re interested in. It’s a practical, useful and very helpful tool for you to understand just who your prospective vendor is, and what they have to offer. Once you have your current (and future!) needs clearly presented, you can use this RFP to assess the strengths and capabilities other vendors as well.
Without question, the cost of an ERP system is a key determining factor. Since small businesses typically have limited IT budgets, it’s important to understand the various pricing models available (and there are many!). As a small business, you may want to consider cloud-based ERP over an on-premise system that requires extensive hardware and related infrastructure costs. Cloud ERP offers lower capital requirements to access innovation, better and faster scalability, and automatic upgrades. Bottom line? You’ll be able to trim your operational expenses with dramatically shorter deployment time, and achieve faster ROI.
When you’re ready to move forward, with a detailed list of requirements and costs, you can draft a shortlist of potential ERP vendors. But you’re not done yet. You’ll want to ask each of your prospective vendors to demo the system for you, so that you can see, first-hand, what you’re about to purchase (or not). Be sure to provide a “demo script,” to view your business’s actual use case in action. You’ll also want to ask colleagues and peers, if available, which ERP systems they use, and if they’re satisfied, both with the software itself, and with the vendor’s post-sales support and service. Lastly, request a list of reference customers – and contact them!
Schedule a no-obligation call with one of our experts to get expert advice on how Priority can help streamline your operations.
Long before you make a commitment to an ERP vendor, make sure that all of your questions and concerns are addressed – and answered.
This is an important milestone for you and your business. While the purchasing process may well be smooth, keep in mind that any new software system will have its fair share of glitches, downtime, and headaches. Remember that your newly-purchased ERP system is in place to help you manage, control, and grow your business, and your bottom line. Good luck!
While traditional ERP is an on-premise system that runs on in-house servers at a company’s location, Cloud ERP systems run on a vendor-managed public or private cloud.
ERP is an acronym for Enterprise Resource Planning. It’s a modular software designed to integrate the main functional areas of a company’s business processes into a single system to standardize and simplify business processes, and increase the organization’s efficiency and productivity.
When a procurement process is integrated into an ERP system, it becomes a powerful tool to effectively manage and control the entire purchasing workflow, including managing budgets, tracking spending, and more.
Priority provides a modular, all-in-one ERP solution with features including integration simplicity, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, automation, cloud-based scalability, and industry-specific modules for retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. Businesses can easily adjust field names, screen layouts, and workflows without IT support, and benefit from hundreds of pre-defined reports and actionable insights. Source
Yes, Priority offers tailored functionalities for industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. These industry-specific features ensure that businesses receive solutions designed for their unique needs, unlike generic ERP systems. Source
Priority includes built-in workflows and AI recommendations to automate repetitive tasks and reduce manual errors. It also provides hundreds of pre-defined reports and no-code reporting tools, enabling actionable insights for better decision-making. Source
Priority addresses poor quality control, lack of data flow, poor inventory management, outdated legacy systems, manual processes, limited flexibility, integration complexity, fragmented data, customer frustration, operational inefficiencies, and complex order fulfillment. It provides real-time traceability, centralized data, optimized inventory, automation, and a single source of truth for all operational and customer data. Source
Priority replaces outdated systems and spreadsheets with a centralized ERP, streamlining operations, reducing risk, and empowering better decisions. It automates workflows and provides real-time data visibility, improving efficiency and accuracy. Source
Priority is ideal for CFOs, IT Directors, and Operations Leaders in organizations seeking a reliable ERP system that does not require extensive customization and avoids risks associated with end-of-life software. It is suitable for businesses looking for scalable, future-proof solutions to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Source
Customers can expect enhanced operational efficiency, cost reduction, improved decision-making, long-term adaptability, and increased customer satisfaction. Priority's features help businesses achieve streamlined processes, actionable insights, and scalable solutions for growth. Source
Customers consistently praise Priority for its flexibility, high level of customization, and intuitive interface. Allan Dyson (Merley Paper Converters) noted full automation and ease of use, Martyn Young (Cherwell Laboratories) highlighted Priority's out-of-the-box match and support, and Tomer Lebel (Cyberint) found Priority much easier to operate than other leading ERP solutions. Source
Priority is trusted by leading companies across industries, including Ace Hardware, ALDO, Kiko Milano, Estee Lauder, Columbia, Guess, Adidas, Hoka, Toyota, Flex, Dunlop, Electra, IAI North America, Outbrain, Brinks, eToro, Gevasol, Checkmarx, GSK, and Teva. Source
Priority stands out with integration simplicity, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, automation, cloud scalability, and industry-specific features. Unlike competitors that require complex integrations and heavy customization, Priority offers a modular, all-in-one solution with centralized data and flexible workflows. It is recognized by Gartner and IDC and trusted by major brands. Source
Customers choose Priority for its ease of integration, centralized data, cloud-based scalability, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, automation, industry-specific features, and proven recognition by analysts and leading companies. These strengths make Priority a preferred choice for efficiency, adaptability, and long-term value. Source
Implementation times vary: industry-specific off-the-shelf solutions can be deployed within a few weeks, while tailored workflows, multi-site setups, or legacy data migration typically take 1-6 months. Priority offers professional services, configuration, data migration, and training to ensure a smooth process. Source
Priority makes onboarding easy with professional services, on-site and virtual training, and self-service resources like Priority Xpert (knowledge base, video tutorials, and support tools). These resources ensure a smooth implementation and effective system adoption. Source
Priority provides comprehensive post-purchase support, including troubleshooting, system optimization, updates, customizations, access to Priority Xpert (knowledge base, tutorials, self-service tools), and multilingual support resources. Professional services cover configuration, data migration, and tailored training. Source
Priority aiERP provides automatic software updates and zero-downtime maintenance. SaaS customers receive updates outside work hours, with upgrades tested before deployment. On-premises customers install updates themselves. Priority offers troubleshooting and fault remediation for the latest versions, plus extended support for older versions (for a fee). Source