Discover Why Your ERP’s Data Collection Tools Fall Short and How to Boost Productivity With the Right Solution.

ERPs Require Accurate Business Data

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems help organizations manage day-to-day business processes. Functions might include tracking, storing, and analyzing:

financial data
inventory
supply chain management and operations
human resources activities
manufacturing processes.

Companies drive critical data into their ERP system of record and rely on resulting dashboards and reports to make everyday business decisions. Although ERPs usually have built-in data collection tools for front-end workers, your standard ERP likely has a sub-standard data collection/mobile form component. This could result in a powerful ERP system driving your business with inaccurate, incomplete or delayed data.

ERPs Require Accurate Business Data

frustrated mobile user Often, ERPs use data collected by front-line workers. These employees may be walking the production floor, speaking to customers on-site, or doing inventory checks on a loading dock or in a warehouse. These employees must collect data quickly and need tools that help them collect all types of data as accurately and efficiently as possible. These workers benefit from digital data collection that can speed their work with pre-filled data, bar code scanning, image capture, audio recoding, calculators, and more. Unfortunately, while most ERPs excel at business management and processing, their built-in data collection tools for front end-workers often fall short.

When ERPs fail to meet the unique demands of field operators, productivity suffers. ERP systems often struggle in remote operations, where their limitations are well-documented. Many businesses need help with ERP implementations, especially when offline. The lack of reliable access to data in the field leads to productivity losses.

With Alpha TransForm, you overcome these challenges. The platform ensures continuous productivity in remote or offline environments. Your data collection is seamless, and your field operations more efficient, things standard ERPs often fail to do.

5 AREAS WHERE ERP SYSTEMS FALL SHORT

ERPs can power a lot of business activity, but when they aren't enabling solid data collection, that can cause big problems for your organization.

Here are five capabilities your ERP likely doesn’t do well. These capabilities are critical to making workers on the front lines highly productive:

1. Offline Capability

ERP data collection tools often rely on consistent internet access. This becomes a significant drawback in remote work areas or during network outages. Without reliable offline functionality, work can halt when connectivity is lost.

Alpha TransForm offers the most powerful offline capabilities in the industry. With robust storage capacity and flexible conflict resolution, your workers can continue without missing a beat. You maintain your operations, at remote work sites or when connectivity is spotty.

2. Optimized for Mobile

mobile optimized Standard ERP solutions are desktop-oriented, making them cumbersome on mobile devices. This lack of mobile optimization can hinder field workers. They need an intuitive and responsive interface that allows for efficient data entry on the go.

Alpha TransForm fully optimizes the mobile experience. Its design is geared toward smaller screens, allowing for easy one-handed data entry, custom layouts, and an interface that adapts to any device. It’s a seamless experience tailored to field workers.

3. Sophisticated Interfaces/Calculations

sophisticated calculations ERP systems typically offer basic forms that don’t support complex data entry needs. Processes become rigid and error-prone when forms lack advanced features like conditional sections or built-in calculations. This slows down operations and raises the risk of mistakes.

Alpha TransForm handles forms of any complexity with advanced features including conditional sections, built-in calculations, bar code scanning, image capture and mark-up, and a wide range of data-entry types. This sophistication enables precise data collection, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

4. Workflow and Data Integration

Integrating ERP systems with other tools is challenging. They often need extensive customization, development resources and long deployment times. Without the ability to write data to your corporate data sources or trigger workflows, your miss opportunities to automate and speed work. Bottlenecks will quickly emerge.

Alpha TransForm’s rapid development capabilities and robust API allow seamless integration with your existing systems. The apps have smooth integration and adaptable workflows. Your data will flow smoothly across your organization, speeding up your operations and decision-making.

5. Speed of Change/Updating and Flexibility of the Solution

speed and flexibility ERP updates and changes can take weeks or months to implement. This inflexibility prevents organizations from quickly adapting to new business needs. They become vulnerable to market shifts and operational challenges.

Alpha TransForm enables instant updates, allowing your business apps to adapt quickly to the market or changing business requirements. Whether tweaking a form or adding a new feature, changes can be deployed in hours, not weeks, keeping your operations agile.

About Alpha TransForm

Alpha TransForm 2022Trans2-1-1 mobile app inspector manufacturing While other solutions require you to adapt to their format, Alpha TransForm data collection solutions are designed to match your exact business process(es). Alpha TransForm apps speed data collection by making it easy for workers to enter complex data with one hand on mobile devices. Our apps improve your existing ERP with accurate and complete data quickly. And if you don’t have an ERP, we can also help you digitize your data collection, including powerful data analytics tools for managers.

Book a meeting with our solution expert. In 10 minutes, we can assess your needs and determine how we can add value to your ERP or build your first data collection app.

Continue reading how to improve or augment your ERP deployment:

Hidden ERP Costs: Data Collection Modules Are Overpriced, What to Use Instead