What are the nine most costly mistakes that baby & kids store owners make when digitalizing their business?
9 Costly Mistakes Made By Baby and Kids Store Owners When Selecting An ERP and How To Avoid Them
What is an ERP?
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a business process management software that enables data integration and sharing across multiple business functions and departments, such as accounting, sales, production, supply chain, and customer service. ERP simplifies operations, automates tasks, provides visibility into organizational performance, and helps companies increase their efficiency and profits.
Measurement of Successful ERP Selection
When selecting an ERP for your baby and kids store, it’s important to consider whether the ERP helps you to meet the following criteria for making an informed and successful selection:
- Ease of use
- Usability
- Integration capabilities
- Integrity
- Compatibility
- Cost
- Scalability
- Availability of vital reports
- Security
- Flexible ERP structure
5 Common Mistakes and Solutions in ERP Selection
Here are 5 common mistakes made by baby and kids store owners when selecting an ERP and how to avoid them.
1. Not researching features and functions
Many store owners overlook the importance of researching an ERP’s features and functions. As an owner, your role is to ensure that the system you are purchasing has the necessary features and functionalities to meet your specific business needs. To do this, you must thoroughly research the ERP and compare it to similar systems on the market.
Solution:
Before you purchase an ERP, make sure you have thoroughly researched the vendors and compared them to each other. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of the features and functionalities each ERP offers. Additionally, read reviews from other users to ensure that the vendor and software are up to your standards.
2. Not considering the support provided
A common mistake made by baby and kids store owners is overlooking the importance of customer service and support. Having access to trusted partners and qualified customer service representatives when the inevitable issue arises can be a crucial factor in your success.
Solution:
Be sure to find out if the vendor has customer support and what the turnaround time is. Moreover, if you are considering a boutique vendor, make sure they have a long track record in the industry and clients that you can contact for references.
3. Not training users or having weak onboarding
Another mistake commonly made by store owners is not devoting enough resources to training their users. A well-trained team is essential for successful ERP implementation and its subsequent adoption.
Solution:
Make sure that your ERP vendor provides comprehensive onboarding and training for users. Additionally, set aside enough time for them to learn the new software and answer any questions they might have. Lastly, it’s a good idea to arrange refresher courses from time to time to ensure your team’s skills are also constantly being updated.
4. Not accounting for scalability/flexibility
When selecting an ERP, it is important to select one that can scale to meet the changing needs of your business. As your store grows, you may need to upgrade the ERP to keep up with the increasing demand and new lines of business.
Solution:
To ensure your ERP can scale to meet the changing needs of your business, make sure you research various vendors to find one that offers an upgrade path and can easily accommodate new business lines as needed.
5. Not balancing customization with cost
Many baby and kids store owners make the mistake of over-customizing the ERP for their specific needs. While customizing the system can be beneficial in the short-term, it can result in costly modifications in the long-term. Many store owners forget the importance of balance between cost and customization.
Solution:
Before customizing, consider the long-term implications and weigh the potential benefits of customization against its cost. Although customization can make a difference in the short-term, it may negatively impact cost and scalability in the long run.
Summarized Table of the Mistakes and Solutions
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not researching features and functions | Thoroughly research the ERP and read reviews from other users |
| Not considering the support provided | Ensure the vendor has customer support and read reviews |
| Not training users or having weak onboarding | Find an ERP vendor that provides onboarding and training for users |
| Not accounting for scalability/flexibility | Research vendors to find one that offers an upgrade path |
| Not balancing customization with cost | Weigh benefits of customization against its cost |
Conclusion
When selecting an ERP for your baby and kids store, it’s important to consider whether the ERP helps you to meet the criteria for making a successful selection. Furthermore, avoid the 5 common mistakes detailed in this article to ensure that you make the right choice for your business.
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