Processes are rarely designed. They tend to evolve over time and end up encompassing bad practice, waste and redundancy. Applying automated systems to such foundations compounds the inefficiencies and makes them harder to change in the future.

If you are looking at implementing a new ERP system, or further the use of your current application, don’t assume that your existing business processes are the best way to get the job done. Even worse, don’t insist on modifying the system to do what was done before. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: business process re-engineering, business process reengineering, business process review, Enterprise resource planning

While it may be true that knowledge is power, it takes the right person interpreting the right data to releaseand utilise that power. The two most important intervals during the lifetime of a piece of data are the point it is created and the point it is used. Quality data when interpreted and used by the right people can help structure your business strategy based on empirical results and will guide your business into more competitive waters.

Who are the ‘right’ people in your business to manage data?

The responsibility for managing and interpreting the data should lie as close as possible to the person eventually benefiting from that information. In pretty much all cases these people are not necessarily your IT support department. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Beverage software, business intelligence, Enterprise resource planning, ERP software, ERP system, food industry software, tailored ERP system

The entire point of enterprise resource planning, or ERP software solutions is to provide real value to your business. However, it is not uncommon to find the 80/20 rule at play within ERP deployment – 80% of effort delivers just 20% business value. If we want a positive ERP ROI then we need to devise a methodology for flipping this 80/20 rule on its head.

A focus on planning

As we discovered in our previous blog ERP software project overruns, which cost time and money, are often caused by insufficient planning time and communication at the early stages. More time planning and preparing the ERP project allows a more focused build and will result in clear positive ERP implementation ROI results. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: cost of ERP, Enterprise resource planning, erp, erp implementation, return on investment, ROI, SME

The economic downturn has forced many companies to cut costs where possible in order to maximise their bottom line. But businesses cannot simply ‘limp along’ waiting for a return to growth – your competitors won’t be ‘waiting it out’. Instead SMEs need to concentrate on their top line revenues, boosting sales and increasing turnover. But does an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution address your financial top line concerns?

Quicker time-to-order

One way in which SMEs can grow their top line is Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Enterprise resource planning software, ERP solution, ERP solution business benefits, increase business top line, on demand ERP, process manufacturing software

With a massive take up of iPad users, it makes a brilliant and more intuitive device for Enterprise Resource planning to be a success. That’s why we took our own ERP solution mobile (LV ERP for iPad).

Developing Enterprise Resource Planning for iPad makes good business sense when so many executives are using them to drive better sales, presentations or manage real time reporting. Whilst Lakeview ERP already boasts a web app and mobile version for desktop and mobile use, LV ERP for the iPad comes with unique features that take enterprise resource planning into a more intuitive environment as it is easy to use, more comfortable than a smart phone and not as bulky as a laptop.

According to Forrester’s Global Tech Market Outlook, Apple is expected to sell $10 billion worth of iPads to business customers in 2012, representing a 68% increase over 2011.

Source: Forrester Research

In the demo below you will see Lakeview’s ‘LV ERP’ app for the iPad in use. Watch and see how easy it is to navigate and manage your day to day business processes from within the app.

Related links
Download: LV ERP for iPad [iTunes download]
Book a demo : To see LV ERP in action

Author: Angela Kennedy

Technorati Tags: erp for ipad, LV ERP, mobile ERP

Ether NDE chose Lakeview’s Cloud based ERP product ‘LV’ to bring all their business data into the one place and produce management reports easily and in real-time.  By opting for the Lakeview SAAS model it has allowed Ether NDE to have a fully integrated system at a fixed monthly cost without the need for investment in new hardware.

Ether NDE were experiencing difficulties with business data being held in spreadsheets. The implementation of Lakeview’s LV will bring all their business data together, and provide management reporting tools in real-time, which will promote better decision making.  By having a fully integrated system with financials it has also reduced the external costs associated with bookkeepers and accountants.

About Ether NDE
Ether NDE design and repair electrical probes and meters at its factory and office premises based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire with an international client base. Ether NDE in addition to their own products also represents selected international manufacturers of electromagnetic test equipment and accessories.

VISIT: www.ethernde.com

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing

Technorati Tags: cloud erp, ether NDE, new business win, saas

For our customers and prospects alike we promote and support a ‘Bespoke as standard’ ethos. This is our guarantee that all modifications to the software are included into the core product ‘as standard’.

How do we do this?

This is managed by having a single set of source code, by designing solutions as generic as possible and by switching features on by means of control flags.

The ‘Bespoke as standard’ commitment enables easy upgrades to the latest version of your Lakeview (LV or LM) software and to take advantage of new features as they are released.

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview

Technorati Tags: lakeview erp

That is the ERP dilemma .. or is it?

ERP (enterprise resource planning) software is commonplace throughout many industries, and there is always risk associated with buying and implementing a new solution. Changing your ERP system will undoubtedly affect multiple people, groups, stakeholders, and your core business processes, leaving you in a dilemma, choosing between a bespoke or standard ERP solution.

“Should we go for an ‘off the shelf’ solution? One that will have been created for our industry with specific modules added on but requires us to change our business processes?  Or should we look at a tailored solution because we like our specialised business processes?”

Choosing the right software solution for your business will take time.  Your selection criteria will see you scrutinise ‘off the shelf’ solutions and the more ‘tailored made’ ones.

The pros and cons

But what if you could have both?

A bespoke ERP solution with some industry standard functionality built in?

Wouldn’t it be good if you could take all the positives of both these approaches with none of the negatives?  Surely that’s possible?

With Lakeview, it is indeed possible:  I hear you say “how”.

How can you have an ERP solution capable of being tailored to the business model offer the same affordability and ease of implementation that comes with an off the shelf solution?

And, how can an off the shelf ERP solution be implemented into a business and still be upgradable?

The answer is… cleverly designed ERP software. Software designed using modern technologies, and that allows for third party integrations, upgrades and add-on modules, and built on a platform with specific industry needs in mind.

Author: Angela Kennedy, Marketing, Lakeview ERP

Technorati Tags: Choosing ERP, erp, ERP types, which ERP

Many Sales Managers or Directors create sales forecast information by collating spreadsheets received from their sales team. Not only is this a slow and labour intensive process, but it is also immediately out of date, open to re-keying errors and is owned locally.

Within Lakeview’s LV ERP system your sales team will manage their prospects, leads and opportunities (within the CRM module).  As MD, you will require easy access to sales information plus any analytic reports from anywhere and undoubtedly from within a web browser / Web Client.

With LV ERP you have the ability to:

1. Review your sales pipeline and forecasts in real-time and from anywhere.
2. Drive more effective sales meetings as you no longer require physical team meet ups.
3. Review your sales analytic reports with the team on-the-fly and remotely.

Lakeview’s LV Web Client allows anyone authorised to view the system on any device via any web browser. This allows you and your sales team to update, query or review sales data from anywhere in the world and at any time‚ keeping you in control.

LV CRM module facilitates proactive sales & prospect meetings

Use your sales team meetings to update the CRM system there and then (on-the-fly) and remove the need to make  individual forecast updates after the meeting.

With LV CRM your sales team will update both leads and opportunities once they’ve finished meeting a prospect or customer.

Using an iPad, smart phone or laptop your sales team can access LV ERP and update the system with:

• Meeting notes
• Deal values
• Convert leads to opportunities
• Convert opportunities to orders
• Convert prospects to customers

LV CRM supports electronic document management

Once satisfied with your sales forecast you can email a PDF of the report to whoever needs it, or save it for your next Board meeting pack.

LV ERP facilitates remote working at no extra cost

There is no need to purchase any Terminal Server or Citrix type software to be able to remote connect to LV ERP and no help needed from expensive external IT consultants.

Any new transactions or updates are automatically made to the LV ERP system wherever it resides in the world, or in The Cloud, so there is no rekeying and all data is viewed in real-time.

This is how sales teams and leaders should be functioning in the 21^st Century in order to provide a competitive edge, win more business, manage costs and provide excellent service.

The best way to see how ‘LV’ ERP‘ can help your business is to a talk with a Lakeview consultant on 0208 303 3329.

About Lakeview

Lakeview are authors of ERP solutions providing outstanding levels of customer service to UK SME’s for over 25 years.

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Visit iTunes to download LV ERP to your mobile device

Or download our LV brochure to read more on LV ERP for mobile

Author: Mark Greatrex, CEO, Lakeview Computers Ltd

Technorati Tags: CRM, ERP CRM, LV ERP