Ten Must Have Features in

Next-Generation Enterprise Software

Business Solutions Alliance Inc.
310 Centre Street South, Whitby, ON L1N 4V9
Tel: 1 877 BSA 0411 Fax: 1 905 430 4604 Web: http://www.BSAinc.ca
Many Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software Vendors declare that their ERP
is Next-Generation, but what does it really mean? How do we know if an
Enterprise Solution fits the bill as being next-generation?

Look for signs. Next-generation ERP software has many advanced characteristics and features that are
not prevalent in legacy or less progressive systems. These features technologically define the software as
cutting-edge and categorize it as a leader within the industry. Below are ten of the most significant
features to look for in Next-Generation ERP software.

Ten Must Have Features in
Next-Generation ERP Software

ERP Vendor Commitment
Above all, next-generation ERP software requires vendor commitment. A vendor that is dedicated
to the future development of their product will have a well-defined product roadmap and research
and development funding for continuous improvement of the software. These telltale signs provide
evidence of a well-supported application that is expected to drive the software company into the
future.
Avoid software from vendors who have expanded their software product offerings through
corporate mergers and acquisitions. These companies may not have a clear product strategy which
could result in unexpected support issues.



Choice in ERP Delivery Model
Enterprise software can be delivered to your business in various methods; for example, On-Premise,
Cloud, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and even Hybrid models. Although your company may be firm
on the delivery model of your software today, requirements change and having the opportunity to
easily transition your data to a new software model can be beneficial.
Software vendors that provide delivery options are forward thinking. Keeping up to technological
changes makes their software state-of-the-art.


Collaboration
ERP software that promotes collaboration is another essential in next-generation ERP. Collaboration
is both internal data accessibility across departments and divisions, and external accessibility of
data by suppliers and customers through self-service portals.
Collaboration improves processes allowing businesses to benefit in a multitude of areas by bringing
the entire organization, including external business partners closer together.


Flexible and Modifiable Platform
Even the best ERP software is unlikely to be a perfect business fit right out of the box. Businesses
have unique requirements, and even with a robust software package at most, only 80% of required
functionality can be adopted. This means that the other 20% of your business needs demand some
level of customization.

Software that is built to be modifiable and adaptable takes these unique needs into consideration.
The product is designed with comprehensive core functionality but in such a way that
enhancements to the system can be efficiently integrated into the system with less development
time and ultimately, less investment. This is often true of software that uses object-oriented
architecture and layering that promotes a platform for growth as requirements evolve.

Flexible and modifiable, doesnt stop at just the development platform, it can also apply to end-
users interaction with the ERP software. In the past, ERP software applications would force users to
Whats in your
Next-Generation
ERP Software?
Look for these features to
determine if your ERP software
meets next-generation criteria.
1. ERP Vendor Commitment
2. Provides Choice in ERP
Delivery Model
3. Internal and External
Collaboration
4. Flexible and Modifiable
Software Platform
5. Role-Based Functionality
6. Push Based Information
7. Anytime, Anywhere Access
8. Improved Business
Intelligence
9. Works with Existing Systems
10. Corporate-Wide Visibility




Ten Must Have Features in
Next-Generation ERP Software


Business Solutions Alliance Inc.
310 Centre Street South, Whitby, ON L1N 4V9
Tel: 1 877 BSA 0411 Fax: 1 905 430 4604 Web: http://www.BSAinc.ca P a g e | 2
About BSA Inc.
BSA Inc. takes great pride in helping
organizations develop strong business
management strategy through the use of
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software
tools. BSA offers its customers a wide range
of ERP Support Services, including ERP
Diagnostics, Implementation, Process
Alignment, System Optimization, Support,
and ERP / Business Process Training. BSA
has hundreds of customers located across
Canada and the United States and draws on
the knowledge of its team of Finance,
Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail and
Technical professionals.

You can trust that with BSA Inc.,
1. We do what we say we will do.
2. We deliver value to our
customers and seek fair reward
for our products and services.
3. We empathize with our customers'
needs and desires.

For more information about Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) Software selection,
contact BSA at +1 877 BSA 0411
or visit us on the web at www.BSAinc.ca.




work within the confines of the software; constraining users to work within the processes set out by the software.
Today next-generation software allows users to work in both structured and unstructured ways which eliminates
the desire for users to create and store data in ad-hoc solutions outside of the core ERP software.


Role-Based Functionality
Advanced ERP solutions strive to increase user productivity. By categorizing employee job roles within the ERP
software, users are provided with quick and easy access to the functionality that they require to fulfill their daily
tasks. In the past we saw simplistic use of this concept using features like menu favourites. Today the grouping of
role-specific tasks is at a much higher level, providing customizable ERP home pages that direct users to the
precise functionality that they need which is also organized to maximize efficiency for their job roles.


Push Based Information
ERP users no longer have to initiate the process of finding key information; next-generation ERP is designed to
automatically push data to users. Using techniques such as incorporation of data views to role-based screens,
utilizing alerts and notifications and automating work flows to guide tasks, users are now not only kept up-to-date
on current business statistics, but are also interacting with the ERP on a much higher level.
With information prompts to the user in real-time, planning, decision making and efficiency are now all improved.
The risks of experiencing critical events such as stock-outs or production overruns are drastically reduced thus
improving overall business operations.


Anytime, Anywhere Access
Next-generation ERP software enables your business data to be available anytime, anywhere for your mobile or
remote users. Using secure internet connectivity users can interact with ERP software using smartphones, tablets,
and other devices. The onslaught of smart devices has also yielded an additional benefit; ERP vendors are now
extending applications in creative ways to take advantage of the portability and ease-of-use of these tools in daily
operational activities.


Improved Business Intelligence
Business Intelligence (BI) has been a challenge for software developers for years. A vast amount of data is
collected, but breaking it down into useable reporting metrics has been difficult without the guidance of an IT
professional. Modern ERP empowers users to create custom reports with less difficulty and through export
capabilities has allowed users to configure data output for reporting using familiar tools like Microsoft Excel.
In addition, to report development BI has greatly improved in the area of integration with the core ERP
application. In the past, BI was often an add-on interfaced solution. Today more and more applications feature
sophisticated BI that is integrated with the core ERP product.


Works with your Existing IT Systems
ERP software should not only work with your existing systems it should boost their functionality. Your ERP
software is just one piece of your technology infrastructure, be sure that from within that application you can
utilize your supporting utilities like your document management system, project management system and even
take advantage of your base office productivity tools. When incorporated properly your ERP software can
increasingly become the hub of your business operations.


Corporate-Wide Visibility
We here it time and time again multi-site, multi-warehouse, multi-currency, and with good reason not all
applications can live up to this standard. Next-generation ERP software encourages corporate-wide visibility even
to the most remote locations. It enables shorter consolidation and reporting cycles and benefits the organization
as a whole with quick and smarter decision making.