ERP Archives - EstesGroup

RPA DNA – What is Robotic Process Automation?

by EstesCloud | May 16, 2023 | Business Consulting, Cloud, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, Hosting, Managed IT Services, Software

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a new software technology that has the potential, in conjunction with AI technologies, to transform business processes, policies, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

RPA removes workers’ mundane, time-consuming tasks so that they can alternatively focus on innovation and creation. With RPA, software robots, rather than humans, quickly and efficiently perform data system tasks. Simple software robots can log in to data systems, locate and move files, insert and alter information in data systems, and assist in analytics and reporting.

More advanced software robots, especially if they have AI technology, can interpret, organize, and make decisions in a cognitive, human-like way. Businesses will discover that RPA technology is relatively inexpensive to implement, and it is business-ready and scalable.

A variety of different industries — in manufacturing, finance, and healthcare — can benefit from adopting RPA technology into their business operations and processes. The benefits of RPA technology are expansive, and these benefits carry over into ERP system implementations and ERP processes. Ultimately, with RPA, businesses can focus on improving their workplace atmospheres so that they are more efficient and productive.

What are the benefits of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?

As businesses seek to automate their work flows to become more efficient and productive, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) will continue to transform workplace atmospheres and advance processes and operations while increasing production and profits. By implementing RPA technology, businesses will realize the following benefits:

RPA is initially inexpensive to implement and is ready for use, with minimal coding, by most data systems.
RPA eliminates some of the monotonous, arduous tasks that fatigue workers.
RPA eliminates human error and encourages speed, efficiency, and accuracy of repetitive tasks.
RPA adapts to meet increased production needs and ultimately reduces costs and increases production.
RPA creates a happier working atmosphere in which employees can focus on customer relations and innovation rather than mundane tasks.
RPA encourages a strong increase in rate on investment (ROI).
RPA promotes consistent compliance with industry and government standards.
RPA enhances security by eliminating human interaction with sensitive, private information.
RPA can automatically generate reports and analytics that businesses can use to improve their processes and operations.

How does Robotic Process Automation (RPA) integrate with ERP systems?

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are essential for businesses to tailor their workplace atmospheres, and by utilizing Robotic Process Automation (RPA), businesses can automate and reappropriate mundane tasks to software robots rather than humans.

Users will be able to realize the full benefits of ERP systems and focus on more foundational tasks while RPA accomplishes lower-skilled, mundane tasks. ERP systems will experience similar benefits that businesses have when integrating Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Some areas that ERP operations can utilize and benefit from RPA include:

Accurate data capture and transfer
Assistance with and automation of data migration
Inventory and supply chain management
Real-time data sharing
Real-time analytics and reporting necessary for compliance

Why should businesses integrate their ERP systems with RPA technology?

Many companies are hesitant to implement Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or fear that RPA will eliminate workers. RPA is cost-effective and easy for businesses to implement and integrate into their ERP systems. RPA software increases speed, productivity, and efficiency of processes and operations while encouraging a happier workplace atmosphere.

RPA doesn’t replace humans. It certainly is more consistent and reliable, but there will always be a need for human interaction. Although RPA will eliminate many of the lower-skilled, mundane tasks that humans must perform, workers will still be responsible for higher-skilled, fundamental tasks. As RPA streamlines workplaces and ERP systems, humans will be able to focus on more complex, meaningful tasks that will help businesses grow and maximize profits.

Combining an ERP system with new cloud-based technology allows businesses to experience all the benefits of both while approaching the future with automation and efficiency. Businesses will see cost reductions and great increases in rate on investment (ROI).

ERP systems with integrated RPA technology encourage streamlined workplace atmospheres, innovation, competitiveness, and ultimately, business growth. RPA lets workers enjoy their coffee, innovate, and communicate with customers while it does the grunt work.

Looking for answers to questions about how new technology can help your business? Fill out the form to meet with our team to learn how cloud-based solutions and services can help you achieve your goals!

5 Ways Cloud Deployment Changes SYSPRO ERP

by EstesCloud | Feb 16, 2023 | Cloud, Distribution, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, Hosting, Managed IT Services, SYSPRO

SYSPRO ERP Cloud Deployment vs. On-Premise Infrastructure

Top manufacturers and distributors are choosing private or hybrid cloud deployment for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. This is especially true for cloud-ready ERP systems, like Epicor Prophet 21 and SYSPRO ERP. On-premise deployment can be limiting in the fast-paced world of manufacturing and distribution. Competition is fierce, cybercrime is rampant, and compliance regulations demand visibility and competition.

Fortunately, cloud deployment of ERP systems like SYSPRO offers you a competitive edge with increased visibility, improved growth potential, enhanced control, long-term scalability and affordability. Moreover, fully managed ERP hosting in a data center gives your business speed, reliability, and a written 100% uptime service level agreement (SLA).

SYSPRO cloud-ready ERP helps your business leverage data while protecting it, and a private or hybrid cloud deployment ensures scalability, security, and long-term success. For instance, you can increase control and scalability while gaining valuable insights into every part of your manufacturing or distribution business. You gain insight into everything from inventory management to customer relationship management.

Are you cloud-ready but not fully in a cloud of your own? Read on to learn more about why cloud computing is the top trend for companies running ERP software systems like SYSPRO. Business owners, leadership teams, and steering committees continue to look to managed cloud hosting partners like EstesGroup. Why? Most importantly, you can get the ERP consulting and cloud services you need with a 24x7x365 support team ready to serve you throughout your ERP deployment or cloud migration journey. This ensures a good foundation for long-term success with both your software and your technology.

What a Private or Hybrid SYSPRO Cloud Looks Like

Manufacturers and distributors are constantly looking for ways to increase visibility, growth, control, and long-term success. One of the most effective strategies for achieving these goals is to invest in a managed hosting solution for your ERP system. SYSPRO managed hosting provides an array of benefits that can help manufacturers and distributors reach their business objectives.

Benefits of an Estes Cloud Deployment for SYSPRO ERP

An on-premise deployment might be the right decision for your business. However, EstesGroup has seen the following outcomes for manufacturers and distributors that choose to shift to managed hosting solutions. In addition to SYSPRO, we have created success stories for many other complex enterprise resource planning systems. Talk to us to learn more about successful cloud migrations in Epicor Kinetic, Epicor Prophet 21, and Sage ERP.

You can stay competitive in your industry by keeping up with digital transformation trends.
You get instant access to valuable tools that let you control and analyze security and compliance.
You can now gauge success with improved KPI tracking, benchmarking, and monitoring.
You can easily customize your business strategy with new access to remote worker enablement tools, offering employees ultimate portability.
You can quickly increase or decrease your cloud complexity with consumption-based pricing with no ingress or egress costs.
You will instantly gain a valuable external team of SYSPRO enterprise resource planning consultants and technology experts. Your internal team gets everything you need to support both immediate and long-term business goals.

What is SYSPRO in EstesCloud?

EstesCloud hosting (ECHO), also known as a private cloud for SYSPRO or hybrid cloud solutions for any ERP system, is a cloud-based service that provides businesses with the ultimate access to enterprise resource planning software and its related services. SYSPRO is a cloud-ready ERP and is easy to deploy in an external data center. Your EstesGroup data center meets your needs for everything from cybersecurity to backup and disaster recovery. EstesCloud managed cloud services help your business by taking care of your technology while also providing ERP consultants that are always just a phone call away.

With SYSPRO managed hosting, customers can enjoy the benefits of having their own dedicated server without the need to purchase or maintain hardware. The service also includes 24/7 support, automated backups, and scalability options so businesses can easily scale up or down as needed.

1. Increased Visibility

The first benefit of managed ERP hosting for SYSPRO ERP is increased visibility. Access to real-time data on operations, customers, suppliers, and inventory levels, gives manufacturers and distributors good data. You can make informed decisions quickly and accurately. This allows you to respond quickly to changes in the market or to customer demands while also staying ahead of competitors.

Additionally, with SYSPRO’s cloud-based platform, they can access this information from anywhere at any time – giving them greater flexibility when making decisions or responding to customer inquiries.

2. Improved Growth Potential

Another advantage of a hybrid cloud deployment option is improved growth potential. With a cloud-based ERP system like SYSPRO, manufacturers and distributors have the ability to scale up or down as needed. Basically, you won’t need to purchase additional hardware or software licenses. This allows you to save money while still being able to expand your operations as needed.

3. Enhanced Control

SYSPRO managed hosting also brings enhanced control over operations. Manufacturers and distributors gain complete control over their data security measures. This includes encryption protocols that help protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or misuse.

Furthermore, with its built-in disaster recovery capabilities, you can ensure that all data is backed up regularly. If there were ever an issue, your systems could be restored quickly without any disruption in service. This keeps operations running smoothly, even during unexpected events such as power outages or natural disasters.

4. Long-Term Success

Finally, one of the biggest advantages associated with a private ERP cloud is a long-term success thanks to scalability and affordability. Many private or hybrid cloud solutions operate on a pay-per-use model, enabling you to only pay for what you need when you need it. That way, you can avoid dealing with the massive upfront costs associated with purchasing the hardware and software licenses needed to maintain your own cloud network.

5. An EstesGroup Partnership

Ready to get started with a partnership that will bring you immediate access to the best SYSPRO consultants and technology experts in the nation? If you’re ready to get started with your own private or hybrid ERP cloud deployment, EstesGroup can help. We provide fully managed IT and cloud services to all companies across all industries that are using enterprise resource planning software. Connect with us and get access to a team of ERP consultants with years of experience in cloud services and managed IT. We are dedicated to helping you succeed with your ERP project.

Let's Talk. Schedule a Free Consultation Today.

How to Use Technology to Manage Freight Costs

by Brad Feakes | Nov 23, 2022 | Distribution, Epicor, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, Prophet 21

Freight costs are more important than ever in our turbulent times. With ongoing inflation, and the possibility of a recession looming, runaway freight costs threaten to take distributors’ profit margins for a ride.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions often lack proper tools within the base software for managing freight costs and often must rely on third-party applications and web sites to manage and execute carrier pricing. With a potential recession on the horizon, it is more important now than ever to recover costs and protect profits. Companies go to great lengths to negotiate freight rates with carriers but often fall short on execution of the rates resulting in paying higher costs. A better solution is needed, especially in light of the challenges that a recession will bring.

Freight Costs business concept: Small cardboard boxes with a plane flies above world map. Concept of transportation, international freight, global shipping, goods or services remotely. overseas trade, regional

November 30th @12PM – 1PM (EASTERN)

ShipSource: Using Technology to Manage Freight Costs During a Recession

On November 30th, at Noon (Eastern), Ron Cope of ShipSource will discuss the techniques necessary when using technology to manage freight costs during a recession. The session will focus on things you can do to improve freight execution and become more efficient to control spending.

Companies spend significant time, resources, and money to license and install shipping software. Efficient and fully-functional shipping solutions are a must in the distribution industry in general and in the Epicor Prophet 21 community, in particular. Moreover, there is a need in the P21 industry for custom platforms that meet clients’ needs, that are integrated immediately, and can go live within days.

ShipSource is an authorized distributor of the ShipVia multi-carrier transportation management system, and has been providing Prophet 21 shipping solutions since 2005. ShipVia was created to meet the Prophet 21 shipping needs of the P21 distribution community, by providing a robust rating engine that can be deployed quickly at affordable pricing.

Tailored to fit the corporate growth initiatives and financial strategies, the solution supports a robust solution and a rapid implementation. If you are looking for a solution that supports rating for all your carriers and can be fully implemented within days, then ShipSource has the system for you.

Meet Ron Cope of ShipSource at ESTES INTEGRATE 2022

Ron Cope has more than 35 years of experience with transportation management. Currently, Ron is the President of ShipVia, the manufacturer of the ShipVia transportation management software program and ViaDUCT integration software. Ron is also the Managing Partner of ShipSource that is licensed to distribute the ShipVia software products.

Ron Cope, ShipSource

Ready to keep your freight costs in your control?

How to Prepare Your Supply Chain for 2023

by Brad Feakes | Nov 17, 2022 | Business Consulting, Distribution, Epicor, ERP, ERP Consulting, ERP Implementation, ERP Risks and Challenges, Prophet 21

Over the last few years, I’ve seen companies perform every possible inventory management tactic to mitigate the supply chain challenges that afflicted the nation as a function of the pandemic. Some strategies proved to be detrimental, with manufacturing and distribution companies burdened at times with massive quantities of low-turn product.

That is to say, if you are a distributor recovering from stressors due to the pandemic, optimally managing your Prophet 21 inventory levels is of utmost importance as you head into the new challenges of 2023. COVID-19 and other recent global events are testing the resilience and flexibility of supply chains.

Supply Chain Challenges International freight or shipping service for online shopping or ecommerce concept : Paper boxes or carton put in circle around a clear crystal globe with world map on a computer notebook keyboard.

How Can You Prepare Your Supply Chain for 2023?

Slimstock is one company that can show you how to be ready for the possible supply chain rollercoasters of the new year. Slimstock’s forecasting, planning, and purchasing solution integrates with the P21 application to bring you to the next level of P21 efficiency and P21 optimization.

Slimstock is the market leading AI-powered inventory optimization software. Slimstock helps companies using Epicor Prophet 21 by enabling the delivery of the right stock to the right place at the right time.

Slimstock does this by all-in-one P21 integration of Inventory Forecasting, Demand Planning and Purchase Optimization, with machine learning capabilities.

Over the last 25 years, Slimstock has helped thousands of companies to boost profitability and unlock working capital by improving availability, increasing efficiency, and eliminating waste with guarantee on ROI within a year.

Since their inception in 1993, they have worked in collaboration with business leaders, domain experts and academics and the P21 user community to develop their award-winning inventory optimization platform, Slim4.

Join Jeff Steinecker, Dennis Weir, and Ryan Shanks, on November 30th at 4:00 (Eastern), as they work to help Prophet 21 companies in supercharging their P21 supply chain strategies and practices.

Meet Slimstock at ESTES INTEGRATE 2022

Jeff Steinecker (Strategic Accounts Executive at Slimstock): Jeff has an extensive experience in helping customers realize gains in productivity, efficiency, and fun. He is a knowledge expert in supply chain and can align, lead, and grow supply chains with assured returns.

Dennis Weir (Business Development Executive at Slimstock): With a strong background in supply chain, Dennis is your Knowledge Partner for Demand Planning and Inventory Optimization. He is excited to represent Slimstock and answer any questions you may have.

Ryan Shanks (Pre-Sales Demonstrations & Solution Architect at Slimstock): Ryan has a background in Supply Chain, primarily focusing on Logistics, Distribution, and Sourcing. He enjoys sharing knowledge with others and thus is delighted to be a part of the webinar.

WATCH A VIDEO INTERVIEW NOW

Bringing A/R Innovation to Life in Prophet 21

by Brad Feakes | Nov 15, 2022 | Business Consulting, Cloud, Epicor, ERP, ERP Implementation, Prophet 21

Epicor Prophet 21 and automation go hand-in-hand: successfully integrating your P21 ERP system with a best-of-breed solution can help automate manual and paper-based processes that burden organizations.

When it comes the challenge of automating your P21 Accounts Receivable processes, Keith Carman, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Unified A/R, summarizes it simply as a matter of “convenience, convenience, convenience.” Today, more than 70% of B2B payments are still completed with a paper check and a paper invoice.

What is the impact of paper processes to P21 customers?

The absence of Accounts Receivable technology and increasing interchange rates for credit card transactions can result in longer DSO, fraud risks and manual posting/reconciliation. The net result: higher costs, lower accuracy, and hits to your cash flow.

Unified A/R improves Prophet 21 payment processes by simplifying B2B Accounts Receivable and Payment Acceptance with best-in-class solutions and ongoing consultation from payment industry experts.

How Can Unified A/R Bring Your A/R Innovation to Life?

Unified’s cloud-based A/R solutions help clients get paid faster and easier at less cost while improving their customers’ experience. Unified’s Executive Team brings more than 150 years of combined management success from the Payments and ERP Industries and has partnered with many of the nation’s largest Trade and Professional Associations, Financial Institutions, and Technology Firms. Unified A/R is headquartered in Franklin, TN.

On November 30th, Unified’s Keith Carman and Brittany Rodgers will be discussing Accounts Receivable automation for P21. They’ll explore how P21 AR Automation improves near-term margin, order-to-cash processes and customer experience, including:

Digital tools to accelerate cash flow, improve client satisfaction and support non-remote and remote work environments.
Best practices to reach desired financial outcomes, maintain PCI Compliance and improve efficiency.
How to recognize and resolve barriers to customer adoption of digital workflows.

The team will also provide a live demo of P21-integrated process for invoice/statement creation and delivery, payment acceptance, and automated cash application.

WHEN: November 30th at 3PM – 4PM (EASTERN)

WHERE: ESTES INTEGRATE 2022 (A Digital Gathering of Prophet 21 Leaders, Thinkers, Innovators)

WHY: Unified A/R Offers the BEST Cloud-Based A/R Solutions Available to the Distribution Industry

Keith Carman, Vice President of Enterprise, leads Business Development, aligning product solutions and internal expertise to client needs to deliver streamlined implementations, go-live events, and ongoing success for our clients. He holds degrees in Economics and Finance from Indiana’s Hanover College.

Brittany Rodgers Accounts Innovation Receivable Expert

Brittany Rodgers, Integration Engineer, manages new client onboarding and integration activities, providing a personal approach as the liaison between enterprise clients and Unified A/R’s IT, Implementation and Quality Assurance Teams. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Operations Management from the University of Cincinnati.

Document Management in an ERP Implementation

by Brad Feakes | Nov 14, 2022 | Business Consulting, Epicor, ERP, ERP Implementation, Prophet 21

Many manufacturers and distributors have some form of document management requirements, and yet if I were to ask my collective Epicor Prophet 21 customer base about their use of document management as part of their ERP system, most of them would likely tell me that they are not doing everything they can in this area.

This is not a surprise. Document management is a difficult area to consistently and comprehensively integrate with your ERP system. Why? Document management is complex, and most ERP systems avoid talking on this complexity as part of the core code of their ERP systems and opt instead to leverage some form of integrated solution to handle the needs of distributors or manufacturers.

The End of Paper

One element of document management relates specifically to a degree of automation that can eliminate paper-based processes. For the length of my own career, we’ve been discussing “the end of paper” — a paperless factory floor, a paperless warehouse, a paperless office. While an understandable goal, the attainment of such an end has been hard to pull off in practice, a surprising number of paper-based processes exist, even in companies that have successfully integrated an ERP system like Prophet 21.

If You Can’t Get Rid of It, Automate It

For instance, it is often the case that communication between a P21 company, their customers, and their suppliers mandates the transference of paper documents. As such, paper-driven processes are difficult to remove entirely. Many companies find that, for situations like this, where certain elements cannot be eliminated, they can at least be automated.

What are some areas of your P21 system can you expect in to impact when it comes to the subject of Prophet 21 document management?

Storing Documents: This normally involves relating documents in a logical manner to records in your ERP system, as to supplement the base ERP information.

Retrieving Documents: Once linked, the ability to quickly retrieve documents related to a given P21 record, be it a customer, a sales order, a purchase order, is of great importance.

Automating Document Transactions: In many areas of a business, more comprehensive work can be done, not only to store and retrieve documents, but to automate document-based processes entirely.

AP Processing: One such Prophet 21 process that can be clarified by a document management system is Accounts Payable. AP is fundamental to any business, as it helps manage cash flow, while optimizing opportunities for rebates and discounts. But AP processing is often impacted by the incoming variance, as a function of vendor-to-vendor variation and documents galore. Automating this process assists in eliminating entry errors and reducing processing time.

It seems clear that the documents related to a given record in the ERP system may provide critical complementary information that would otherwise be lost amongst desk drawers and email in-boxes.

On November 30th, at 2:00 EST, Ellen Richard of Enlighten.Net will be discussing the digitization and automation of your Epicor Prophet 21 document management processes.

Join Ellen as she shares tools that are essential in your P21 digital transformation and shows how automating your business-critical paper processes can help your company achieve:

Workplace Flexibility
Improved Productivity and Faster Processing
Reduction in Manual Data Entry
Improved Control of Business Documents
Business Continuity

Ellen Richard has been helping industrial distributors and suppliers with their technology needs for more than 9 years. She currently serves as VP of Sales & Marketing at Enlighten.Net.

Ellen Richard, VP of Sales & Marketing @Enlighten.Net

Learn More About Enlighten.Net and Document Management Software

Enlighten.Net, Inc. is a leading provider of Document Management software and has been a trusted partner to P21 distributors throughout North America for 20 years. Robust solutions help organizations of any size save time and money by providing simple yet powerful tools that are embraced by employees at all levels. Enlighten.Net’s superior software is backed by an unparalleled customer service experience. ENet Docs improves operational efficiency by centralizing business-critical documents, thereby allowing instant and accurate retrieval, improving speed and visibility and providing secure access from anywhere. Automation solutions integrate directly with P21 to reduce the errors, time and expense associated with manually processed vendor invoices and customer sales orders.