Why ERP Software Helps Enable Growth for Your Small Business

Small businesses are using ERP software to streamline their processes and gain a competitive advantage.

Many small business owners are confident in their ability to operate without the use of ERP software. They feel they have a pretty good handle on their processes and are able to get by using a basic accounting software package. But what happens when your business grows?

Growth is a great problem to have, but it needs to be properly managed. When it happens quickly, or unexpectedly, you might not be prepared to handle:

Loss of key employee
Incorporating new business processes
Demands of increased inventory management

Before you know it, you might find yourself scrambling to keep up. This is where Windward Software can help.

Company-wide Integration

When it was just you and a handful of trusted employees handling things, you were probably able to manage all aspects of your business, including:

Sales
Inventory
Accounting
Marketing

But as companies grow, these functions tend to become departmentalized. This creates logistical complexities that need to be addressed. In particular, communication between these individual sectors needs to be maintained. An ERP system like Windward System Five on Cloud ensures this by storing key business information in a single database.

integrated-solutions-are-the-key-to-success

Not only does Windward Software give your team access to the information it needs, but it also saves time and errors by reducing the need for multiple data entries.

Manage Your Resources More Effectively

Most small business owners have a pretty good idea of what their business is capable of in terms of production and sales. You’ll know many of your customers personally and you’ll have an understanding of what your company resources are for:

Cash flow
Materials
Manpower (i.e. production capacity)

As your business grows, your client base and order volume will increase. It’ll eventually reach a point where you can no longer rely on a gut feeling or a ‘guestimate’ to determine whether you’re meeting customer demand.

Tips to Reduce Accounts Receivable Outstanding

ERP software like Windward System Five on Cloud allows you to monitor company resources at all times to ensure you’re fulfilling your commitments by:

Tracking product inventory
Identifying customer buying trends
Pinpointing failures in your supply chain

Make Informed Business Decisions

The reporting capabilities of simple accounting software packages tend to be quite limited. Most of them offer periodic summaries that are sufficient to meet tax-reporting requirements. They’ll also offer you access to day-to-day processes such as accounts receivable.

The importance of these summaries shouldn’t be overlooked. They can provide a big-picture snapshot of the overall financial state of your company. However, there are times when managers will benefit from having access to them without having to wait for an end-of-month report.

An ERP system like Windward System Five —whether it’s on the cloud or installed locally on your server— provides this information in real-time, so you can access it when you need it to make critical business decisions on the spot.

Take our Tour to learn more about the potential of our cloud ERP software.