The ERP Effect

Kiara Walker • Aug 24, 2022

ERP Effect on Small Businesses...

Often, we believe that ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) are meant only for large-scale businesses. Enterprise is right there in the name; however, ERPs can also help small businesses.

In this edition of Fisher Findings, we focus on ERPs impact on small business and what that could mean for your organization. So, what is the point of an ERP?  Why is it critical to have this as part of your business?


ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning refers to software designed to gather and organize daily business data through one system. They help manage a multitude of business aspects from planning (resources and financials), accounting, distribution, and everything in between.

Not So Small Challenges

For a small business, an ERP can be used as a management tool to handle internal inventory practices, and maintain employee productivity. ERPs can help organize core processes of a business into one system. Changes in business strategy grant small businesses access to resources in order to keep up with big enterprises. Without an ERP, small businesses can face many challenges.


What makes a business with no accounting software switch to a full-fledged ERP system? Typically, operations are spread across multiple programs instead of one central location, leading to a disconnect between front and back-end systems. Lack of communication between employees, inconsistency of information shared, and losing time focused on manual entry also contribute to a decline in company productivity without an ERP.

But what's the alternative to an ERP for small businesses? Some companies currently use singular accounting products like QuickBooks to manage sales, conduct payroll, or get ready for tax season. ERP systems allow you to manage all your company’s assets beyond finances.


Organizations might also consider manually revamping existing business processes and mitigating pain points in accounting, finance, and other departments before making the switch to an ERP. If your business is continually slowed down by broken or outdated processes that are causing inefficiencies and keeping your business from progressing, then it’s time to think about investing in an ERP system.


Timing is Everything



Because each business has their own set of processes and difficulties, it can vary on the right time to move toward an ERP. Typically, when you notice that challenges begin to accumulate into an inability to meet, or even streamline processes like eliminate purchasing errors and lowering operational costs.

Have you considered preemptively determining when your business should switch to an ERP before challenges begin to overwhelm daily processes or employee workflow? For example, if you find it hard to meet customer demands, ERPs can help  the manufacturing process by collecting data from accounting, order management, and sharing information amongst other departments.


Businesses that lack an ERP typically suffer from inefficient, outdated and costly operations. If a small business resonates with any of these challenges for a prolonged period of time- it’s time to start planning the next steps.


Here’s a few scenarios to consider when deciding when to get an ERP system:
• Your data isn’t organized and is spread between various systems that don’t talk to one another
• Your data is on excel spreadsheets and not backed up anywhere securely!
• Your business lacks flexibility or scalability to grow
• Struggling to manage inventory
• Limited customer base you can work with
• Spending more time fixing issues than being proactive about future business goals


Is an ERP best for all business types? 

Now that your business has decided that it's the right time to get an ERP, a small business should also assess if the ERP fits into their particular vertical.


Do you ever wonder where ERPs thrive the most? Manufacturing, healthcare, construction, real estate, and a few other sectors have the most traction when it comes to using ERP software in their respective industries. Because ERPs make business operations easier to maintain, modernizing business models and resources also become more manageable. It’s important to note that any organization that needs a management system would benefit from ERP software, including small businesses.


No business is too small for an ERP.


“Are you looking for an ERP integration solution to reduce the time and costs of bespoke development? Or are you looking to reduce employee administration and operational costs to drive company performance and revenue by extending the capabilities of your existing ERP software through application extensions?” - Penny Process

Remember, with an ERP you can add integration functionality even if your are a small businesses.


It's important to take into consideration specific business goals when deciding to move to an ERP. If you think your business is too small for an ERP, you might want to reconsider!


FACT:  About 75% of small businesses actually use ERPs for their business operations! ⑴


The Fisher Difference 

For small businesses, there’s many benefits to switching to an ERP. Fisher Technology can help connect you to partners that specialize in ERP's who can share the benefits, and what it would look like for  your day-to-day business operations. In addition once your ERP is in place (or even during the planning phases) we can work with you to define any automation and integration that will ultimately deliver the best solutions for your challenges.


An ERP integration solution allows you to reduce the time and cost of bespoke development. With BPA (Business Process Automation) Platform you can aim to reduce employee administration and operational costs to drive company performance and revenue. How? Simply extend the capabilities of your existing ERP software through application extensions such as WMS (Warehouse Management Systems), CRM (Customer Relations Management) or ECommerce.


That is where BPA Platform comes in. More than just offering a piece of software, Fisher Technology and our Partners provide unparalleled service, and consulting that not only gets your automation started, but optimizes and enhances your existing processes.


Our next blog in the Fisher Findings series will focus on managing your supply chain, stay tuned for updates!


P.S. Are you following us on LinkedIn yet? That is the best way to stay connected with us on a daily basis! Like, comment and share all of our posts!

⑴ https://www.geniuserp.com/blog/why-small-businesses-need-an-erp-system

Unleashing Efficiency: A Deep Dive into BPA Platform 2024

By Nicole Laurier • 14 Mar, 2024
In an era where digital transformation is the driving force behind organizational success, businesses are constantly seeking innovative solutions to streamline their operations and enhance efficiency. Codeless Platforms, a trailblazer in business process automation, has once again raised the bar with its latest offering – BPA Platform 2024. This cutting-edge solution promises to revolutionize the way businesses automate their processes, allowing for seamless integration, increased productivity, and improved decision-making. Codeless Platforms - Pioneers in Business Process Automation: Codeless Platforms has been at the forefront of the business process automation (BPA) landscape for years. The company is renowned for its commitment to delivering user-friendly, agile, and scalable solutions that empower organizations to automate complex workflows without the need for extensive coding. The BPA Platform 2024 is a testament to their dedication to innovation and addressing the evolving needs of businesses. Key Features of BPA Platform 2024: Codeless Automation: One of the standout features of BPA Platform 2024 is its continued commitment to codeless automation. This means that businesses can design, deploy, and manage automation processes without the need for intricate coding skills. This democratizes the automation process, allowing business users to take the lead in optimizing their workflows. Enhanced Integration Capabilities: In a digital landscape characterized by diverse applications and systems, seamless integration is paramount. BPA Platform 2024 offers enhanced integration capabilities, enabling organizations to connect disparate systems effortlessly. Whether it's ERP, CRM, or third-party applications, the platform ensures that data flows seamlessly across the entire organizational ecosystem. Real-time Data Synchronization: The importance of real-time data cannot be overstated in today's fast-paced business environment. BPA Platform 2024 facilitates real-time data synchronization, ensuring that decision-makers have access to the most up-to-date information. This empowers organizations to make informed decisions and adapt swiftly to changing circumstances. Advanced Workflow Automation: BPA Platform 2024 takes workflow automation to new heights. The platform allows businesses to design and automate complex workflows with ease. Whether it's invoice processing, order fulfillment, or customer onboarding, the advanced workflow capabilities empower organizations to optimize processes for maximum efficiency. Multi-instance Architecture: In the cutting-edge BPA Platform of 2024, the multi-instance architecture stands out as a pivotal feature, revolutionizing the efficiency of business processes. This innovative approach allows organizations to host multiple instances of BPA Platform on a single server, offering a streamlined and expedited onboarding experience for customers. The multi-instance architecture not only optimizes resource utilization but also enhances scalability, allowing businesses to adapt seamlessly to evolving requirements. This design empowers enterprises with the flexibility to allocate resources efficiently and cater to varying workloads, ultimately bolstering overall performance and responsiveness. With BPA Platform's 2024 multi-instance architecture, organizations can achieve heightened operational agility, making it a key element in modernizing and elevating business process automation. Cloud, Hybrid or On-Premises: In the dynamic landscape of BPA Platform 2024, organizations are presented with versatile deployment options, namely Cloud, Hybrid, or On-Premises solutions, reflecting the platform's commitment to adaptability. The Cloud deployment option offers businesses the agility and scalability of a cloud-based infrastructure, allowing for rapid scalability, reduced maintenance burdens, and enhanced accessibility from anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, the Hybrid deployment model provides a flexible blend of both on-premises and cloud solutions, catering to organizations with diverse needs or specific compliance requirements. On the other hand, the On-Premises deployment option ensures maximum control by hosting the BPA Platform within an organization's own infrastructure. This comprehensive array of deployment choices in BPA Platform 2024 empowers businesses to align their automation strategies with their unique IT ecosystems, compliance considerations, and operational preferences, fostering an environment of innovation and efficiency. Codeless Platforms' BPA Platform 2024 is a game-changer in the realm of business process automation. By combining codeless automation, enhanced integration capabilities, real-time data synchronization, advanced workflow automation, intelligent decision-making, and comprehensive reporting, the platform empowers organizations to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape, BPA Platform 2024 stands as a beacon of innovation, offering a holistic solution to streamline processes, boost productivity, and drive sustainable success. It's time for businesses to embrace the future of automation. Fisher Technology stands as the trusted North American Distributor for Codeless Platforms, the innovative minds behind BPA Platform. With an 18-year journey, we've proudly represented Codeless in the USA and Canada, extending our support to customers in South America. Specializing in collaboration with VARs, particularly in the ERP space, we've partnered with industry leaders like Sage, SAP, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, HubSpot, Infor CRM, and prominent ECommerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, Woo Commerce, and BigCommerce. Visit our About Us page to discover the inception story of Fisher Technology. Founded by Paul (Founder & CTO) and Nicole (Chief Everything Officer), our journey began with the mission to recruit Reseller Partners for BPA Platform. Witnessing growth and evolution, our focus expanded from Infor CRM (formerly known as SalesLogix) and Sage 100 (formerly known as Mas 90) to SAP Business One, MS Dynamics 365 (formerly NAV and Dynamics CRM), reflecting the adaptability and maturity of BPA Platform. As our product evolved with the web service toolset, we embarked on an exciting era, carving a niche in integration with many software applications including; eCommerce, ERP, marketing automation, CRM, 3PL, and Invoice automation systems. Join us in revolutionizing business processes with seamless connectivity and efficiency.

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17 Years of Fisher Technology!

By Nicole Laurier • 09 Feb, 2023
Reflecting and celebrating our 17th anniversary year in business which all started with 8 suitcases and a dream!
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