Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is the ideal solution for companies of all sizes and industries that want to integrate finance, supply chain information, and more into their operational processes. However, an ERP system can be seen as somewhat of a luxury to many SMEs.
This was especially true several years ago when large enterprises armed with significant budgets were the only organisations that could afford the software, which was often custom-made, installed on-premises, and tailored exactly to their needs.
These days, ERP software has thankfully become much more accessible thanks to the rise in cloud-based and mobile ERP systems.
The Rise of Mobile ERP Solutions
Mobile devices like tablets and smartphones have made it easy to work remotely or on the move, and the growing sophistication of mobile business software ensures constant access to vital processes, analytics, and insights.
This is true of many cloud-based ERP systems with mobile deployment options. Having mobile ERP access allows greater flexibility for system users without any additional investment on the part of the company.
Mobile ERP solutions are also easy to use when compared to traditional ERP systems, albeit due to more limited or streamlined functionality. Naturally, not every aspect of the ERP system will need to be accessed and analysed while mobile, so most ERP mobile applications are usually focused on certain aspects over others.
What the mobile ERP application provides access to will depend on both your choice of system and the type of business you run.
Especially for manufacturing companies, mobile ERP can have significant benefits when tracking updates and issues with supply chain management accurately and in real time.
The statistics speak for themselves: organisations that have implemented ERP mobile software into their workflow report a 40% increase in operational efficiency.
5 Mobile ERP Options for Small Businesses
NetSuite
NetSuite is one of the most popular ERP options on the market, and with good reason!
It offers one of the more flexible mobile ERP suites, as it has the ability to be integrated in your company’s back office, customer service and sales processes.
As you would expect from mobile ERP, it was designed with a mobile-user-first mindset. Additionally, NetSuite boasts seamless workflows, and has features including call logging, time tracking, expense reporting and many more. It also allows for push notifications, and it works effortlessly on both iOS and Android devices.
SAP Business One
This mobile ERP solution was designed specifically with manufacturing, accounting, distribution and retail companies in mind. This overall focus on these particular industries, means that its well-suited to track inventory management, financial management, CRM abilities, sales and operational options.
With SAP Business One, managers can stay updated on their business, as well as manage contracts and access reports. This mobile ERP is available with cloud abilities, and the mobile application is available on both Android and iOS devices.
SYSPRO
It’s a good day if you’re a manufacturing company, for this mobile ERP is almost tailor-made for your business operations!
Syspro helps manufacturers synchronize, integrate and control their manufacturing process by offering financial management, time management, inventory management, as well as analytics and reporting. The mobile application, named Syspro Espresso (witty, that one) gives the users secure yet instant access to all the information they could possibly need related to customers, suppliers, and sales. It also comes with offline capability, in case you have no source of Wi-Fi.
Acumatica
Acumatica is an ERP suite that offers a rather wide variety of business applications, such as financial management, accounting, manufacturing, distribution, time and expense reports, as well as project accounting, CRM, and e-commerce management.
That was quite a mouthful. But it doesn’t end there.
Acumatica can be accessed remotely through the accompanying application – or any available mobile web browser. For the app, it can offer time-reporting, mobile push-notifications, task management, and sales and expense order management.
Sage X3
Sage is an ERP solution which many companies will find incredibly useful. Despite it offering many good features, the main thrust of Sage X3’s technology is developing analyses out of real-time data gathered from employees in the field.
It offers various integrated features, such as manufacturing, inventory, distribution, financial management, customer sales and business intelligence. In other words, this solution can help you perform financial analysis, sales analysis, and other forms of business analysis – 100% remotely.
You can only make use of Sage X3 on an iOS device, as it does not currently offer Android compatibility.
Choosing a mobile ERP solution
Are you looking for a new mobile ERP solution, but not really sure where to start? Our ERP experts here at YourShortlist offer unbiased, quality advice – completely free of charge. Simply leave your details on our contact page, and one of our experts will be in touch with you shortly.