
How can store owners ensure their digital products and services are up-to-date, accurate, and of the highest quality?
9 costly mistakes made by Toys and Games store owners when selecting an ERP and how to avoid them
Toys and Games store owners need to consider an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system to enable their business to scale up, improve quality and reduce cost. Selecting an ERP involves a range of factors and have to be done carefully to avoid costly mistakes. This article aims to inform readers about the common mistakes made in ERP selection for Toys and Games store owners and how to avoid them.
What is an ERP?
ERP is an ‘integrated business software system’ that collects, manages, stores and interprets data retrieved from a range of business activities such as inventory and supply chain management, customer relationship management, financial management and Human Resources. Utilizing an ERP system helps to simplify internal and external operations, improve customer service and leads to an overall increase in profits.
Measurement of Successful ERP Selection
In order to evaluate the success of an ERP system, Toys and Games store owners should consider the following:
- Ensure all users are trained in the ERP usage
- Minimize downtime and disruption of existing systems
- Integrate existing systems and data into the ERP system
- Confirm the ERP system will fit the needs of the business, such as forecasting, supply chain and customer service
- Provide a double-check system to ensure accuracy of data entering the system
5 Common Mistakes and Solutions in ERP Selection
There are 5 common mistakes made in ERP selection. To avoid costly mistakes, Toys and Games store owners should be aware of the mistakes and following tips on how to avoid them:
- Failing to perform research and set expectations: Figure out the company’s needs and wants before researching different ERP systems. Cost too much or implementing the wrong ERP system may prove costly for the business. Do your homework and research then set expectations for the selection
- Not evaluating your implementation team: The implementation team is important as it can make or break time and effort spent on developing and using the ERP system. The team should possess the necessary technical and interpersonal skills to ensure on time and on budget implementation.
- Focusing on price instead of value: Many companies focus solely on the cost of the ERP system, not taking into account addition value-added features. Investing in the right ERP system will bring more benefits than cost savings.
- Not customizing the ERP system: It is crucial to customize the ERP system to ensure proper integration and smooth operations. Unique features should be taken into consideration when shopping around.
- Inadequate Data protection and security: It is vital to ensure the ERP system has the necessary security protocols to protect data from potential attacks and breaches.
Summarized table of the mistakes and solutions
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Failing to Perform research and Set expectations | Figure out the company’s needs and wants, research ERP systems and set expectations for the selection |
| Not Evaluating Your Implementation Team | Pick an implementation team with necessary technical and interpersonal skills |
| Focusing on Price Instead of Value | Consider features that add value, not cost savings |
| Not Customizing the ERP System | Ensure proper integration and smooth operations by customizing unique features |
| Inadequate Data Protection and Security | Implement security protocols to protect data from potential threats |
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right ERP system plays an important role in the success of Toys and Games stores owners. Avoiding the mistakes highlighted above can prove beneficial in the long run, resulting in cost savings and better quality. Be sure to evaluate the company’s needs before deciding, focus on value instead of cost and ensure the team is experienced in implementing ERP systems.