What to Look for When Choosing ERP Software for Doors & Hardware Distribution
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software allows you to automate many of your existing business operations. As a distributor of Section 8 doors and hardware, an effective ERP system can handle everything from human resources to billing and inventory control.
You probably already use accounting or human resources software to organize certain aspects of your business, but using different software platforms for different tasks can sometimes create more work for you instead of less. Training employees to properly use unfamiliar software programs can be maddening, and without the right ERP software, you’re often left retyping information on multiple programs.
The Right ERP Program is Out There – You Just Need to Know What to Look For
How do you know if an ERP system is going to improve your distribution business, or if it’s just going to create an expensive headache? While there are hundreds of ERP programs out there, most of them are designed to serve a broad range of industries, not your unique business serving a niche industry.
Division 8 distribution, as you know, requires a certain level of expertise and industry know-how. You need an ERP solution specifically designed to enhance your unique operations. Before investing in ERP software, look for these features:
1. A Single Platform Integrated Across All Departments
A well-run business works together across all departments, and an effective ERP system should facilitate this. You should never have to re-type information into multiple programs—instead, with ERP software, you input data once, and then carry on with more important tasks.
2. A System that Supports Your Existing Workflow
If you rely on “tribal knowledge” from key employees to keep things running smoothly, or if you’ve built a delivery system that is a bit idiosyncratic but works for you, then you don’t want ERP software to get in the way of that. Instead, you need an ERP program that enhances your tried-and-true operations, so you can benefit even more from the tribal knowledge and existing systems that you know already work for you.
3. Intuitive Scheduling and Delivery Management
With the right ERP system, you get one-click access to every aspect of a project. This comes in handy when you’re setting delivery schedules and monitoring the progress of an order in real time.
4. Progress Billing (not just basic accounting features)
Due to the nature of the industry, there are usually multiple points over the course of a project that need to be billed separately. Robust “progress billing” helps ensure that everything is billed for on time, the first time, so you’re not stuck working for free.
5. Gives You Room to Grow, Without Raising Your Overhead
The whole point of an ERP system is to allow you to expand your profits without raising your overhead. To achieve this, it should achieve all the points above while still being affordable and easy to integrate.
With the right ERP solution, you can quickly train new employees and turn them into “seasoned” employees. When a top employee leaves, it’s easy for other employees to pick up the slack until you can bring in someone new. And best of all, ERP software allows you to increase your workload and profitability, without the usual increase in labor and expenses.
Learn More about ContractERP Software for Division 8 Door & Hardware Distributors
ContractERP specializes in ERP systems for Division 8 door & hardware distributors. Learn more about our one-of-a-kind solutions designed for:
Want to see ContractERP in action? Request a demo today, or give us a call at 866-743-5665.
