ERP systems are kind of like human bodies. Over time, they wear down. We get regular checkups at the doctor to make sure we’re staying healthy. But are you as tuned in to the health needs of your ERP? You might be overdue for an ERP health check—and here are the 5 signs that will tip you off.
1) Your System is Running Slower than Usual
The first sign of an unhealthy ERP is a slow system. If you have time for a coffee break while waiting for a record to load, that’s a problem. Reports that take a long time to generate, performance issues, and delayed response times when you’re entering or retrieving data are all indicators of an ERP that needs some help.
Sluggish performance harms your team’s productivity and will frustrate users. A health check can help get to the root of the problem—whether it’s overloaded databases or inefficient processes. Are there key bottlenecks in your system? Would you benefit from system upgrades? A health check will answer these kinds of questions and point you in the right direction.
2) Your Team is Relying on Workarounds and Manual Processes
The second sign of an ERP that’s ready for a health check is if manual processes have become the norm for your team. Are your employees using spreadsheets, external tools, and manual data entry to complete tasks? Do you hear frequent complaints about system limitations? Is there inconsistent data across departments due to lack of integration?
Many workaround manual solutions only lead to inefficiencies, errors, and security risks. A health check would step back and take a comprehensive look at your systems and processes, identifying automation opportunities to eliminate redundant tasks. It will also recommend better configurations or modules you may want to consider adding.
3) Your ERP System No Longer Aligns with Business Goals
If your ERP system doesn’t even align with your business goals, that’s a problem! Typically this happens when a business has grown, but the ERP hasn’t been able to keep up. Some of the symptoms to look for include difficulty in scaling operations, adding new users, or integrating new business units. You may also find that you lack the key features you need for your current business operations.
A misaligned ERP system can limit your growth at best and sabotage your growth at worst. It can lead to inefficiencies, compliance risks, and missed opportunities. With a comprehensive health check, however, you’ll be able to align your business objectives with your ERP and ensure you have the upgrades necessary to keep your business on the right track.
4) Data Accuracy and Reporting Issues Are Increasing
Another sign that you’re due for a health check is if you have an uptick in data accuracy and reporting issues. You’ll know this is happening when (1) your reports contain discrepancies or outdated information; (2) your decision makers are struggling to get real-time insights; and (3) there are duplicate or missing data across departments.
As you can imagine, poor data quality leads to bad decision-making and can cause compliance risks. A health check can step into the gap and identify exactly what those data integrity issues are as well as recommend cleanup strategies. It can also assess your reporting tools and make suggestions for better analytics.
5) Security and Compliance Risks Are Growing
And finally, you know you’re due for an ERP health check when you have increased security and compliance risks. Do your users have excessive or incorrect permissions? Does your system have known vulnerabilities or outdated security measures? Do you struggle with industry compliance and audit readiness?
Data security threats and compliance violations can have serious consequences, leading to data breaches and even financial losses. A health check provides that key evaluation of security protocols and user permissions. With a health check, you’ll be able to identify any compliance gaps and gain recommendations that can mitigate risks.
Conclusion
How do these five signs stack up against your ERP? If you’re feeling any of these pain points, it might be time to run your system through a comprehensive health check. To get started with the SuiteRep Health Check, contact us for your free, no-obligation call to learn more!