Flexibility and quick response are hallmarks of business competitiveness. Access to information at the earliest possible time can help businesses serve customers better, raise quality standards and assess market conditions. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a key factor in instant access.

Although some think that ERP systems are only for large companies, this is not the case. Medium and even small companies can also benefit from the ERP approach.

This is possible if the ERP system being employed is a modular system where one can implement only the necessary modules and add more as the business grows.

The use of information systems to add value to the organisation is strongly influenced by organisational structure, culture and change. No system alone will successfully be implemented if there is no willingness to adapt and change existing processes.

Businesses need to ensure that improvements or completely new IT systems help lower costs, increase profits, improve service or achieve a competitive advantage.

These can be achieved through the use of various modules which most ERP systems provide, including accounting, sales, purchasing, distribution, warehouse management, asset management, project costings and business intelligence tools.

The smart use of an ERP system in today’s ever evolving operating environment, where customers, competitors, suppliers, shareholders and financiers are closer to each other, enables businesses to have information available on demand consistently.

This is critical for an organisation to not only survive but to thrive.