By Julius Torach

ICT adoption for business goes beyond simply buying a computer and being connected to the Internet. It is more beneficial to set up integrated information systems to support the functional areas of the business such as the operations and management of accounting, finances, manufacturing, production, transportation, sales & distribution, human resources, supply chain, customer relationship and E-business. One of these systems is the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software. You need it.

Buying different types of software from several vendors that cannot share information among themselves is expensive, difficult to support, upgrade or integrate. The best option is to introduce ERP systems that provide several software components in the above functional areas to link different parts of a company and ensure smooth flow of information across the enterprise.

ERP systems bring lots of benefits to your business. For example, when orders are received, the stock level can be immediately checked without physically going to the store, and all the parties involved in supplying the goods or billing will be able to share information using a network of computers.

One of the telecom companies in Uganda has had challenges notifying their clientele in advance that they are due for disconnection due to defaulting on payment. Their clients are therefore disconnected without warning and the account relationship managers are not alerted either. Customer satisfaction and operational efficiency can be achieved by introducing ERP software.

For ERP implementation to be successful, strong commitment from upper management is essential since the introduction involves changing business practices and may require huge capital investments.

Selecting the right employees to participate in the implementation process and motivate them to ensure its success.