Technology plays an extremely important role in almost all areas of our lives and start-up new business processes. It has been able to transform the lifestyle of human beings in such a way that it would be difficult to imagine a day without it. How necessary are technologies in those growing companies that are just beginning to venture into their respective industries?
Taking into account the accelerated dynamics of the market, businesses need more than ever to invest in technologies and development teams. It allows them to improve each of their processes, bring more value to the organization to develop at a level equal to or greater than its competitors, to achieve greater market share.
That is why in this article, we will talk a little about the importance of technology for growing companies and how it can help them be much more competitive and successful.
Of course, small or medium-sized businesses don’t demand the same kinds of technologies that a large corporation might need; fortunately, there are technological resources that can adapt to the needs and nature of this type of business, its size and capacity. As a result, it brings positive results that undoubtedly allow them to operate like large companies.
Focusing on the business environment, we can highlight the main technological tools that help you improve business processes:
ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning)
An ERP system is a business management software that allows you to plan and control the business processes and resources of a company comprehensively.
An ERP system combines the functionality of the different management programs into one, based on a single centralized database. This allows guaranteeing the integrity and uniqueness of the data that each department accesses.
ERP systems allow the information flows of the different departments of the company to be integrated. It facilitates the monitoring of the activities that make up the value chain.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Every NetSuite consultant recommends a CRM technology that helps optimize the sales of commercial organizations that use it. A CRM system provides the necessary tools to unify customer information. It provides a global vision of each of them in order to offer them highly personalized service.
With CRM systems, sales and marketing functions can be seamlessly integrated. By storing business-critical data, users can quickly access it from any site or device and share the information. It helps them increase the company’s business productivity.
BI tools – Business Intelligence
Decision making is a vital process in all companies, and it depends on how we act in unforeseen situations, what strategies we follow, or how we define tasks.
To make good decisions, we need to meet two requirements: to have analytical skills and to have good information.
Concerning the first requirement, technology cannot do much, since it is the analyst’s capacity. However, for the second requirement, there is good technological support capable of converting the available data into information of value to make decisions.
Workflow or BPM technology
This tool is of great importance when a company faces the operational redesign processes of the business. That makes it a basic tool to speed up and facilitate positive results by shortening deadlines.
BPM systems are complementary to ERP systems. Although this second one contemplates the basic processes of the value chain, the first one allows the open design of any specific procedure. It not only ensures its correct execution but also allows communication with other systems or technological elements (email, sending SMS, etc.).
Thanks to the full integration of an ERP system with a Workflow system, the most complex business processes, and procedures can be carried out in an efficient and controlled manner.
Warehouse Management System
Although all ERPs contemplate the functionality of a warehouse, there is the possibility of increasing its functionality through what we usually call “warehouse management system.”
The basic functions that any WMS must perform are:
- Management of the location of cargo units
- Output control management
- Stock control management
- Ticket management
With a WMS solution, it is the computer system that directs the physical flow of materials according to a wide range of criteria, which makes it possible to optimize storage spaces, reduce working times, etc. Logically, it is not possible to work with a WMS system that is not integrated with an ERP.
Electronic invoicing
The electronic invoice is characterized by facilitating the sending of invoices to their recipients by electronic means in electronic format. It replaces the physical paper document and with the same fiscal and legal validity. This is because it is validated with an advanced electronic signature issued by a certification authority recognized by the corresponding tax agency.
Thanks to the electronic invoice, you can reduce administrative costs and shorten delivery times, which, in the end, has a positive impact on collection times.
Conclusion
The main objective of implementing technological integration in any company is to save time and money. Moreover, it allows us to improve management processes and carry out changes in our business.
