What initiatives should electronics store owners take to ensure the customer experience is consistent across all platforms?
9 Costly Mistakes made by Electronics Store Owners when Selecting an ERP and How to Avoid them
What is an ERP?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, and it is a software solution that helps connect systems, data and organisational processes of a business. It is used by electronics store owners to manage all areas of their business, including finances, inventory, supply chain, customer relationship management (CRM) and more.
Measurement of Successful ERP Selection
The success of the ERP selection process is often measured on:
- Time
- Cost
- Efficiency
- Effectiveness in meeting business needs
- Ability to drive business growth.
5 Common Mistakes and Solutions in ERP Selection
Below are five of the most common mistakes that can be made when selecting an ERP system, along with ways to avoid them:
- Not involving stakeholders – This is one of the most common mistakes made when selecting an ERP system. It is important to include all stakeholders in the selection process, as they can provide valuable insights and opinions. Involving stakeholders takes time but can help ensure that the chosen system is the best fit for the business.
- Not researching the vendor – Not researching the vendor or consultant managing the selection process may lead to unforeseen incidents down the line. It is important to understand the background and competence of the vendor or consultant, as well as their previous experience with ERP implementations.
- Not considering User Requirements – Not considering user requirements for the ERP system can lead to implementation issues. It is important to involve users in the selection process to make sure that their requirements are considered and that the chosen ERP system meets their needs.
- Not evaluating total cost of ownership (TCO) – The total cost of ownership of an ERP system includes more than just the purchase price. Overlooking costs such as maintenance, compatibility, support, training, upgrade, customization and more can lead to an increase in total cost of ownership.
- Overlooking Return on Investment (ROI) – The ROI of an ERP system should be well evaluated. There must be a clear understanding of the overall cost and return of the ERP system and how it can affect the bottom line.
Summarized Table of the Mistakes and Solutions
| Mistakes | Solutions |
| ————- | ————- |
| Not involving stakeholders | Involve all stakeholders in the selection process |
| Not researching the vendor | Understand the background and competence of the vendor or consultant |
| Not considering user requirements | Involve users in the selection process |
| Not evaluating total cost of ownership (TCO) | Understand costs such as maintenance, compatibility, support, training, upgrade, customization and more. |
| Overlooking Return on Investment (ROI) | Evaluate the overall cost and return of the ERP system and how it can affect the bottom line |
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting an ERP system is a complex process that requires careful consideration. Making any of the above mistakes can be costly and lead to implementation issues, so it is important to be well prepared and avoid them. By contemplating the above advice, any electronics store owner can confidently select the most suitable ERP system for their business.