subject: Erp Outsourcing: How To Improve System Performance And Leverage Enterprise Applications [print this page] In todays business world, virtually every company uses an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and many are considering, or currently using, ERP outsourcing. ERP systems have become an integral part of doing business.
Instead of thinking of an ERP system as just a software application, businesses must integrate them as a high-level business solution. To help businesses succeed, outsourcing provides numerous benefits and can help position ERP systems to achieve overall company objectives.
Benefits of ERP Outsourcing
To gain measurable business benefits, your ERP outsourcing company must provide a comprehensive and flexible approach. An outsourcing providers solutions should specifically help your company improve system performance and leverage enterprise applications. An outsourcing relationship allows you to achieve major benefits, including the following:
ERP outsourcing companies leverage the cost to acquire talent across their entire customer base, which in turn lowers your costs. Furthermore, you gain the benefit of expertise whenever you need it, even for the smallest projects. You maintain access to hard-to-find technical resources while avoiding the associated hiring, training and retention costs.
Its generally less expensive to maintain and upgrade centralized systems. Plus, you only use the exact amount of resources required to maintain service levels.
With ERP outsourcing, you budget a predictable, consistent monthly fee for the life of the contract.
In-house IT departments dont have this type of check and balance vehicle to control critical enterprise system service levels. ERP outsourcers are motivated to maintain or exceed service levels.
With your ERP outsourcer managing the day-to-day IT maintenance, administration and routine support, your IT staff can concentrate on vital strategic initiatives.
Your ERP outsourcing team includes experts who do nothing but manage and optimize mission-critical, complex ERP environments. Working with all types of configurations on a full-time basis, not much should surprise them.
Finding the Right ERP Outsourcing Partner
To ensure long-term success, you should partner with an ERP outsourcing provider who works hard to understand your business and tackles your problems as their own. Specifically, your ERP outsourcing partner should provide the following qualifications:
Your outsourcing company should offer a wide range of services all under one roof. In addition, the relationship should create economies of skill and scale at a predictable monthly cost.
Your vendor needs to take a one-to-one versus a one-to-many outsourcing approach. With this customized methodology, they can provide the right-sized solutions for every customer.
Knowledgeable staff can react quickly to change and scale your operations as needed. You want to always have access to highly skilled IT professionals on short notice.
Its important for your ERP outsourcing vendor to have a proven methodology and track record to resolve all issues quickly. Efficient lines of communication should be established so its easy to add services or launch new projects as required.
Finally, you want to select an ERP outsourcing company that has a multitude of third-party endorsements. A sound profitability record will demonstrate that they will likely be around for the long term.
Whether youre using Oracles E-Business Suite, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Infors Baan, or SAP, you want to make sure your ERP outsourcing provider has specific experience and an accomplished track record with your application. To achieve the best results, your outsourcing vendor should become part of your IT department and act as an extension to your business.
