Deciding the Right ERP Software for Your Business

by

10 February 2022

Technology

ERP Software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is crucial to get insight into current business data from manufacturing to various other industries. Gaining visibility in real-time helps management make essential changes promptly to support business growth.

Discover how to choose the right ERP software for greater visibility and productivity at your facility. Learn the advantages of implementing robust ERP software today.

Evaluate the Cost & Needs

Evaluate the Cost & Needs

The first step is to evaluate the company’s needs and determine a budget for ERP software. Next, take a few minutes to visit technologyevaluation.com/c/erp and learn more about existing options. Then, compare offerings, features, and costs to decide the best choices. Some include sales, pricing, and CRM features to streamline operations using one robust solution. 

Determine flexibility & Scalability

The purpose of ERP software is to provide real-time business management solutions. Gaining access to pertinent data regarding sales, relationships, profits, and more helps management make essential updates to remain competitive and profitable. Therefore, choose ERP software that provides the flexibility and scalability to support future business growth.

Compatibility with Current Software:

Compatibility with Current Software:

Hassle-free integration is another concern for many companies implementing ERP software solutions. Work with an experienced partner to determine if the new software is compatible with your current system. In some instances, a new system might be the right solution.

In other words, integration maintains operations’ current integrity while streamlining them for maximum visibility and control.

Benchmarking to Remain Competitive:

Benchmarking to Remain Competitive:

The process of benchmarking involves analyzing the technologies used by the competition to ensure your company is on track. Failure to adopt innovative technologies can mean getting left behind in the future.

Determine the software used by competitors to determine which options are most effective for managing your operations. If the competition saves time, money, and human resource with innovative software, it’s time to invest in viable ERP software to stay ahead of the curve. 

Ease of Use on All Devices:

Another crucial factor is accessing ERP software from any location and on any type of device. Global occurrences transformed the way people work and live over the past two years. As a result, many employees prefer working remotely.

With that in mind, cloud ERP software supports remote workers in a secure online environment. The team can collaborate regardless of time, location, or device.

Within minutes, everyone has access to the same updated data to take necessary actions immediately to support business profitability and growth.

Availability of Custom Features:

Availability of Custom Features:

Finally, every business has its own unique approach and requirements. As a result, many companies depend on customized features to keep operations running smoothly.

Work with industry professionals who understand the importance of integrating customized features into your ERP software.

Discuss essential features with the team before deciding on ERP software. With planning and the right software partner, the transition will be easy to start seeing a return on your investment quickly.

As the global marketplace becomes more complex and dependent on technology, companies need to keep up with the changes.

Investing in ERP software is the first step toward streamlining and improving operations in the modern business world. Failing to invest in progressive technologies means being left behind.

Instead, evaluate the competition, convene with the team, and determine precisely what the company needs to succeed. The right ERP software helps companies remain competitive and boosts the bottom line.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Valve Type

The 4 Factors to Determine Which Valve Type You Need

The selection process for industrial valves is not overly complicated. However, if you’re not careful, you will end up selecting an incorrect valve. You can avoid this if you’re keen enough when it comes to choosing the right one. However, the question is, how? How do we know if it’s the correct valve? Where should we start searching? There are a lot of factors involved when it comes to choosing the appropriate valve for your industrial needs. Though sizing and selection can be a tedious process, understanding the requirement for applications will make it less complex. To help you with the selection process, below are valuable details for you to take note. The Type of Valve: One of the most important things you need to consider is the valve type. The type of valve needed will basically depend on the function, operation, and flow control. If flow control is needed in the process, then you will need a valve with good control performance. The size and type of a valve should be selected to support control of flow. Those valves with plugs can be picked to change the flow of the valve. When it comes to the shutoff application, butterfly or gate valve is mostly recommended. This type offers good throttling capabilities. On the other hand, plug and ball valves are not the best options to control flow. Moreover, if the process needs backflow prevention, then it is best to opt for a check valve. A mixing valve is an ideal choice for blending two streams process as well as water stream tempering. If the process involves feeding chemicals which are known to be a compounding process, what you need is a valve that provides the needed control capabilities. source Performance Specifications and Valve Measurement: This is the most crucial step in choosing the appropriate valve for the application. In the event you chose an incorrect valve, it can cause issues to the valve operation within the fluid transfer system. For example, a valve that is undersized can smother the downstream flow, thus creating an upstream pressure. Valves that are oversized can only regulate a limited range of flow. Valve operation in a nearly closed position may lead to flushing and cavitation. In the event of severe oversizing, you can pull the valve plug. This will shut off the flow. If the application needs an isolating valve, then the valve can be measured to the existing hose or pipe. Flow sizing can be a lot complicated because of the changes in flow constriction as well as the gap between the seat and the plug. Construction of Valve Materials: Another important factor for your valve selection process is the body materials. The environment that surrounds it, the flowing media, and maintenance are great factors that will create an impact on the valve materials. Media that are corrosive, such as saltwater, acids, chemicals, or certain food types may lead to corrosion resistant of valve materials. If the media is a mixture of liquid with abrasive solids, then the materials’ resistant to erosion of construction are needed. It is also required to have a high strength alloy for high-pressure media to endure internal pressures. A valve with hot media will highly need an alloy that maintains durability and corrosion or oxidation resistance during an increase in temperatures. Valve Connection and Actuation: Put into consideration how your valve will be operated within the production. This is one important aspect should not take for granted. For manual valve operation, you need the one that has a hand wheel for manual valve opening and closing. As for an automatic valve, the one installed in a vehicle or aircraft will need an electric actuator to slide the stem. This is done through signal inputs control. The operation of check valves is operated within the system through a pressure drop. This does not usually need any actuation process. Another selection factor to consider is the fitting type of a valve, which is often defined by the actual connections in the piping system. The connections of a valve are not considered as the fundamental criteria for selection. Suppliers usually provide the same valve with various options for connections. Also, an adapter fitting can be purchased in the event the requested type of connection is not feasible. There are certain industries that have specific standards, regulations, and codes that are required to be followed. Other cases, a valve must follow to these standards — NACE, API, etc. — prior using it in pressure vessel, refinery, nuclear, or other crucial applications. Conclusion: When selecting the right valve for your production, make sure you are packed with all the necessary details. Get to know some basic information and learn to compare each option to determine which is which. Regardless of what valve type your production needs, it is highly recommended to order from a reputable and trusted industrial valve supplier. Surely, it can get a bit complicated sometimes, but once you already have knowledge regarding what factors to consider, the selection process isn’t that hard after all. Read Also: What You Need To Know About Mini Power Packs Why Sensors Are Essential In Machine Automation The Rapid Growth In The Global Industrial Automation Market And Its Career Opportunities

READ MOREDetails
security controls

Top cloud security controls you should be using

Most organizations use at least some form of cloud storage, yet security issues are still a top concern. Data loss and security breaches are always in the news, with some of the most high profile data breaches to happen in 2018 so far including those that occurred at Reddit, Timehop, and FedEx. What this shows us is that even large companies can make mistakes that seriously compromise the security of their data. A 2017 survey conducted by Clutch revealed that while confidence in cloud storage security is high among small businesses, most are not doing enough themselves to protect their cloud storage. After all, cloud security requires involvement from the user, as well as the provider. We go over some of the top cloud security controls your business should be using to help ensure your data is adequately protected. Why do you need cloud security control? Every day, sensitive information continues to fall into the wrong hands. That’s according to Breach Level Index, as of August 2018. While cloud computing can be great for businesses, providing several benefits such as cost savings and data portability, it does come with certain information security risks. To protect your business against vulnerabilities, you need to put specific controls and standards into place. That’s where cloud security controls come in. They help to address, evaluate, and implement cloud security. They can include the following types of controls. Deterrent: These serve as a warning to potential attackers, warning of possible adverse effects if they were to proceed in their attempt, thereby helping to deter unlawful access. Preventative: These controls strengthen the system against attacks, protecting and managing vulnerable parts of the storage. Corrective: These help to reduce the consequences of an attack, which typically involves limiting damage. This could take place during or after the incident occurs. Detective: These controls will identify or detect an attack, and then respond to the incident. If an attack is detected, the detective control will signal to the corrective and preventative controls in an attempt to minimize damage. Using different types of controls will help to limit and prevent potential damage when using cloud storage solutions. What seems to be the problem? What businesses need to understand is that you cannot rely on your provider to do all the hard work. The issue is not that the cloud environment itself is insecure, but that customers are failing to configure their networks, applications, and data accurately. For instance, let’s take a look at what went wrong with Timehop. On 7 July 2018, the company was affected by a significant data breach that included email addresses, names, dates of birth, and phone numbers being taken. What was the issue? A cloud account that didn’t have multi-factor authentication. For Reddit, although they had two-factor authentication in place, their SMS-based authentication was not as secure as it needed to be. As for FedEx, the problem traces back to Bongo International LLC, a company bought by FedEx back in 2014, which had been storing sensitive client data on an open Amazon S3 bucket. The data had been available for public access for several years, having been collected from 2009 to 2012. Data can be put at risk in many different ways, so it’s essential to have the proper controls in place from the start. Find out what you are responsible for Many cloud services will offer some level of security. What companies need to do is find out exactly what they are responsible for when it comes to securing the data that is uploaded to the cloud. Ignorance is no excuse. Speak to your provider and find out which cloud security controls you are responsible for and what services they offer. Whatever tools are at your availability, make sure you use them all. Ultimately, you are responsible for securing your data, so take advantage of any security tools at your disposal, then make sure you take care of the rest. Limit cloud access A good way to reduce risk is to limit who has access to the sensitive information you are storing. Public cloud storage resources, such as Amazon’s S3 bucket, should not allow external access. Leaving SSH open is another common mistake. You should only allow those who must use the data directly to carry out their job to have access to the data. You can grant temporary access on an as-needed basis to any additional employees. Make the most of the identity and access control tools used by most major cloud providers, so you always know who has access to your data. When granting access, you have the option to limit what data someone has permission to access. Delegate appropriate permissions as needed and remove or disable accounts if an employee leaves the company. Keep your data secure One of the most common mistakes that companies make is to leave data unencrypted. You want to be sure that even if all other security measures fail, you have at least encrypted your data as a last measure of protection. While some providers offer encryption, companies should still use their own encryption techniques alongside these. Your decryption keys should remain within the company so that you can maintain control over these at all times. Learn from past mistakes Even large companies make mistakes when it comes to cloud security. You cannot merely rely on your provider to handle all aspects of security. Users need to ensure they are using current cloud security controls to ensure their data remains secure. The good thing is that we can learn from others’ mistakes. You can take extra precautions and implement certain controls and standards to improve security. Just make sure you pay attention to what is happening in the world of cloud security and update standards and controls accordingly. Read Also :  What You Are Paying For With A Virtual Data Room Top 10 Computer Security Mistakes

READ MOREDetails
Python For Robotics

Python For Robotics: Programming And Controlling Intelligent Robots

In the dynamic world of technology, the synergy between programming and robotics has paved the way for incredible innovations. Python, a versatile and user-friendly programming language, has emerged as a powerful tool for programming and controlling intelligent robots. This article delves into the fascinating realm of robotics powered by Python, exploring how this language is transforming the field and enabling the creation of advanced robotic systems. The Role Of Python In Robotics Python's popularity in robotics is attributed to its readability, simplicity, and rich ecosystem of libraries that streamline development. As robots become more sophisticated and capable of handling complex tasks, the need for a programming language that can handle diverse functionalities becomes paramount. Python fits this requirement perfectly by offering libraries that cover everything from machine learning and computer vision to control systems and sensor integration. Creating Robot Behaviors With Python One of the fundamental aspects of robotics is programming robots to exhibit desired behaviors. Python's concise syntax and extensive libraries make this process intuitive and efficient. Through libraries like pyRobotics and ROS (Robot Operating System), developers can write code to control robot movements, manipulate objects, perceive the environment, and interact with humans. Python's adaptability is particularly evident in simulation environments like Gazebo and V-REP, where developers can model, test, and visualize their robot behaviors before deploying them to real hardware. This iterative process helps in refining algorithms and reducing errors during the physical implementation. Computer Vision And Perception Python's prowess in computer vision has revolutionized robotics' ability to perceive and understand the world around them. Libraries like OpenCV and scikit-image enable robots to process images and videos, enabling tasks like object detection, tracking, and even facial recognition. With these capabilities, robots can interact with their surroundings, identify objects, and make decisions based on visual data. For instance, Python's computer vision capabilities are instrumental in applications like autonomous vehicles, where robots need to detect and interpret traffic signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles to navigate safely. As the field of robotics continues to expand, finding skilled Python developers who can harness these capabilities to develop innovative robotic systems is crucial. If you're seeking to build a team of adept Python developers for your robotics projects, you can explore potential candidates at https://lemon.io/hire-python-developers/. Machine Learning And Robotics Machine learning is a driving force behind many robotic advancements, from teaching robots to learn from their experiences to enabling them to adapt to dynamic environments. Python's libraries, including TensorFlow, PyTorch, and sci-kit-learn, empower developers to implement complex machine learning algorithms for tasks like motion planning, object manipulation, and even natural language processing in human-robot interaction. Reinforcement learning, a subset of machine learning, is particularly valuable for robotics. Through reward-based learning, robots can learn optimal behaviors through trial and error, making them adaptable to unpredictable scenarios. Python's support for reinforcement learning libraries like Stable Baselines and RLlib facilitates the development of intelligent, learning-based robotic systems. Sensor Integration And Control Systems Efficient robotic systems heavily rely on accurate sensor data and precise control mechanisms. Python's compatibility with hardware interfaces and sensor libraries makes it a suitable choice for integrating sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and more. Python's simplicity extends to control systems as well. Whether it's creating PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controllers or implementing complex feedback control algorithms, Python's mathematical libraries and its real-time capabilities allow developers to fine-tune and optimize robot movements and responses. Robotics Simulation And Rapid Prototyping Python's role in robotics isn't limited to physical implementation. Simulation environments like Gazebo and V-REP enable developers to create virtual replicas of robots, test algorithms, and refine behaviors in a risk-free environment. This approach drastically reduces development time and costs by identifying potential issues before they occur in real-world scenarios. Moreover, Python's scripting capabilities enable researchers and developers to automate simulation scenarios, making it easier to conduct large-scale experiments and gather data for analysis. Challenges And Future Prospects While Python offers numerous advantages for robotics, it's not without challenges. Real-time constraints, which are critical in robotics, can sometimes limit Python's performance. However, advancements in libraries like Cython and the use of Python in conjunction with languages like C++ help mitigate these challenges. As technology evolves, the future of Python in robotics looks promising. With ongoing developments in libraries, frameworks, and hardware interfaces, Python's role in creating smarter, more capable robots is set to expand further. Can I Enable A Robot Along With Python?  Up till now, we took you through the basic concepts. But it is time to see how Python is actually helpful for actualizing a robot. Our instances will consist of the following: Python Frameworks Use Case A Vision-based robot for mobile navigation It is easier to use the prebuilt Python and its Robot Programming runtime environment, particularly for Linux or Windows. The Python scripts above are responsible for controlling the robot. The latter can be assembled in various ways.  Robot Assembly It is important to arrange the wheels arranged exactly like a usual vehicle. However, it is equally important to fit ultrasonic sensors at both the front and rear of the chassis. Hence, the camera is mounted at a slightly elevated position right at the chassis front. Do not forget to connect it directly to the Nano. As for motors, there must be a proper interface along with a motor driver.  Robot Programming  Start working on the Raspberry Pi after the installation of the Programming environment. Your primary Python script must import the sonar modules, motor, and camera. We have to utilize a model that already comes with training in the OpenCV-Python association. It helps in detecting multiple images at a single time. Conclusion The marriage of Python and robotics has redefined the boundaries of what robots can achieve. From enhancing perception with computer vision to enabling learning through machine learning algorithms, Python has become a linchpin in the creation of intelligent robotic systems. It has a user-friendly syntax, expansive libraries, and compatibility with various hardware interfaces. This places Python as an ideal choice for both novice roboticists and seasoned experts. Read Also: How to Become a Hacker: X Steps to Follow 7 Advantages of Using Website Design Templates About FuseLab Creative

READ MOREDetails