Which Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP, aka accounting system) is right for your company? A funny (but not uncommon) story
Once upon a time, there was a small company called Widgets R Us that needed a new ERP system. The old system was outdated and couldn't keep up with the company's growing needs. So, the CEO gathered the senior management team for a meeting to discuss the options.
As soon as they sat down, the CFO said, "We need a new ERP system. One that can handle all our financial data, inventory, and customer information."
The COO chimed in, "And it needs to integrate with our CRM system, our supply chain software, and our eCommerce platform."
The CIO added, "And it should be cloud-based, with mobile access and real-time reporting."
The CEO scratched his head and said, "Okay, let's start looking for a new system. Any suggestions?"
The CFO said, "I heard SAP is the best."
The COO said, "No way, Oracle is way better."
The CIO said, "What about Microsoft Dynamics?"
The CEO sighed and said, "Okay, let's make a list of pros and cons for each system."
As they started to research, the list of pros and cons grew longer and longer. They spent hours debating the merits of each system, arguing over costs, features, and implementation times.
Finally, after weeks of research and deliberation, the CEO made a decision. "We're going with... wait for it... Excel!"
The team looked at him in disbelief. "Excel?" they exclaimed in unison.
"Yes," the CEO said. "It's cheap, easy to use, and we all know how to use it already. Plus, we can always add more tabs!"
The team groaned and rolled their eyes, but the CEO just shrugged and said, "Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
And so, Widgets R Us continued to use their trusty old Excel spreadsheet for their ERP needs, even as their competitors moved ahead with more advanced systems. But hey, at least they had a good sense of humor about it.
If you're reading this, it is very likely you do NOT work at Widgets R Us and you want to find a better solution than using a spreadsheet as your ERP (even though it is a GREAT TOOL, in the right cases!).
Contact us today to learn more about how 425 Consulting Group can help you turn ideas into organizational solutions.
