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What the main functional areas specific to ERP for Services Software?

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Question added by Mohammad Tohamy Hussein Hussein , Chief Executive Officer & ERP Architect , Egyptian Software Group
Date Posted: 2014/05/23
Tomasz Modrzejewski
by Tomasz Modrzejewski , Programmer , Company Skraw-Mech

Record ERP package is an integrated system to support the management, which is fully adapted to the requirements of the software for businesses , meets the standards of ERP / ERP II. It supports all areas of the company from the planning of supply, through production , to the sale of products. At the same time supports the management of the company thanks to integration with HR and payroll , accounting and Financial , Document Management and CRM .The program was created in1996 thanks to many years of experience of experts from the RECORD in the computerization of manufacturing companies , with the participation of consultants and systems of Western scientific circles. Suite applications are written in Delphi , using the open source architecture of SQL database Firebird , have a graphical ( windowed ) user interface and operate in a standard Windows environment, the management information systems are operated from a web browser . The package is built on client-server technology . Client stations are working in Windows , while the database server is running on Linux (recommended ) or Windows .Key features of ERP system Record:• Full integration : different systems all interact through logical connections and the use of common data stored in the database server. Any information is entered only once and then used in parallel by all systems , ensuring data integrity .• Information security: programming tools used and the solutions adopted , provide full protection information both from loss and unauthorized access. Systems are tailored to the requirements of the Act on the Protection of Personal Data and the opportunity to record data access , as well as the grouping of users resulting from eg limit the scope of the available data and the functions they perform . They have the ability to transfer documents to the archive along with the service of documents archived .• Ease of use : programs are user friendly and have a unified Polish-language interface . Have documentation in use in Polish.• Open the package: package consists of autonomous , integrated systems and is constantly upgraded with new modules , covering an increasingly broad range of business activities . With the parameter it is possible to adapt the work to the individual needs of users.• Guarantees of compliance : all programs are in compliance with applicable regulations. In the event of changes in regulations are made appropriate changes to the software.• Ability to integrate with external systems .Record ERP system consists of the following software packages : production  The main features of the module production :Fully supports the management of the manufacturing process from the planning and preparation of production ( planners , engineers , technologists ) by controlling the production process ( production engineers ) to the monitoring, control jakiści and transfer the product to the storage process or semi-finished products . See all the modules included in the packagelogistics The main features of the logistics module :Basic tool supply services . It allows you to maintain optimal inventory both in terms of meeting the needs of the production workshop and expectations for the location of the capital of the company. Applications in many areas support the implementation of stock turnover ( inventory documents , lists, inventory , etc. ) based on barcode technology . The system was built qualitative assessment of supply and supervision of incompatible material and process complaints. See all the modules included in the packagesale The main features of the module sale:A set of programs dedicated to the commercial department employees . Assists in the preparation and calculation of bids . Oversees the process of adoption and registration of orders from customers. This allows for comprehensive management of customer relationships. It has been tightly integrated with office software (MS Office, Open Office ) and the electronic circulation of documents (including electronic signature ) . It gives the ability to run an Internet sales channel and support for agents. See all the modules included in the packagefinance The main features of the finance module :The package of programs responsible for the implementation of management accounting and financial enterprise. Provides full support for bookkeeping in terms ewidencyjnym and kontrolingowym . The programs are integrated with the banking systems of electronic payments , so in the context of the issue of transfers and settlement statements. Financiers are given the option to export data to spreadsheets spreadsheet along with access to a rich set of report templates and analysis. See all the modules included in the packageHuman Resources The main features of the module Human Resources :Modules tailored to the requirements prior to services payroll and human resources . They allow efficient charge compensation taking into account many specific circumstances of the organization. Manage human resources from the recruitment by the whole career path . Full integration with dziedzinowymi monitoring programs work (such as the registration of production, labor card , rcp ) is able to achieve real indicators of calculating remuneration (such as chord task daily wage premium of sophistication , etc.) . See all the modules included in the packagesystems Analysis The main features of the module Analytical Systems :The whole group of online analytical tools that deliver personalized information anywhere in the world where you can connect to the Internet . You may use the intuitive interface in the form of a website or the information can be automatically sent as an email or SMS. This is a great tool for cards built into analytical ( order, project , sales, profits ) , which allow a quick way to get aggregated information in the form of tables and charts and then , if necessary, to reach the hidden details for Internet links ( references).

zafar abbas minhas
by zafar abbas minhas , Freelance Writer , DAILY MASHRAQ

sorry bro hussain,, its not my area of experties.

Fredy Makram Labib
by Fredy Makram Labib , R&D manager , Universal for home appliances

Innovation development

Cost and finance

Project management

 

Wasim Khalil Mustafa Ali PMP®
by Wasim Khalil Mustafa Ali PMP® , Consultant , Malomatia

I agree with  mr. Arinjay Dadhich 

 Arinjay Dadhich

Arinjay Dadhich EA to MD & Sr. Communication Manager & Assistant Business Analyst at WDP Technologies Pvt Ltd

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For service industry below are some modules generally used unless customized requirements is there :

A) HRM

B) Accounting & Fianance

C) Project Management

D) CRM

E) Product Development

F) Data Management

G) Analytical tools

hossam azzam
by hossam azzam , Fast food restaurant,s manager. , alexandria-egypt

Thanks alot for the invitation

I agree100% with Mr. zaher

i can not answer it as 

it is not my  area of experties

but it is very good question & i want to learn from it

 

Mohammed Thiab
by Mohammed Thiab , Founder / Chief Consultant , MV Consulting

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is the leading enterprise application integration (EAI) software solution for medium and large corporations.  There are light weight ERP solutions for Mini and Micro Business entities and these are generally provided as web enabled/web hosted SaaS packages on monthly rental basis.

 

I have seen references to ERP as a strategic thing, and from my consultancy and professional services viewpoint, I must say that I DISAGREE with this description .   ERP could have a strategic value and it could be a key/strategic initiative on its own, but ERP is in fact an operational-level system that the different business lines / functional units use in their day-to-day operations.

 

ERP solutions vary in size and diversity and should they are neither equal nor equivalent to each other.

Every ERP pachage has its own modules/functions that the customer can choose  from, possibly with a recommended bare minimum that customers should go for to have a true ERP system and not an application or two talking to each other through some kind of interface and sharing a common database.

 

Rather than going on and on elaborating on what ERP functions and modules are and how the duffer from each other, how they complement each other, and how they talk to each other through a direct API or through a common message unifying platform ,... etc ... etc ...

 

Instead of all of this, I would like to take the discussion to the other end, i.e. the customer end.

It is very important to understand the customer's business model,  business lines, organization chart, existing applicatons and databases (if any), available documentatiion, literature, manuals, instructions, brochures, catalogues, ...etc .. etc that describe and clarify the business model.

 

It is also important to descrine the business model through value-add services that contribute to the achievement of the company's goals and fulfillemnt of the mission/vision/corporate culture of the prganization.   

 

It is also important to understand who are the customers (internal and external) for these services, and how are these services provided to them ?  This takes us down to the topic of business process management (BPM) previously known as business process reengineeering (BPR) ...  and we will find that we need to describe the business process workflow through business process diagrams (BPD's) possibly using some industry de-facto notion like BPMN ... and/or we may need to use some commercial software tool to do this using their own conventions.

 

It is important in this context, to understand the horizontal process/work flow across departments/functions to get the work done and the service delivered to the customer.    Here, we need to blend the vertical view representing the organization structure (Finance, HR, Operations, Logistics, Admin, IT, ...) and the horizontal workflow representing the value-add processes/services that you have in your business pprtfolio

 

I have seen also hints at things like CRM, SCM, Business Intelligence and Analystics in the context of ERP and I would like to split these ones and deal with them separately possibly under  ERP++ notion which takes ERP at the core and complements it with these other goodies to cover the while business life cycle.

 

Last point, I understood from your question that you are in the services sector (!!) and you left it there with no further elaboration or details ...  You need to share these details so that I can talk knowlingly and intelligently about your situation Hopefully this is of help to get you started in the right direction. If you need more, let me know

But we will need to get down to details and specifics

Raafat Sallam
by Raafat Sallam , Organizational Development and Training Consultant , Training Centers, Marketing Organizations.

Agree with Mr. Mohammad Iqbal

Rehan Qureshi
by Rehan Qureshi , Financial Consultant , Self Employeed

Mr. Mohammad Tohamy Hussein Hussein has already given a good answer

Ali Jaradat
by Ali Jaradat , PMO Director , Digital Future for Communication and IT

If I understood your question right the components of ERP systems related to Services are:

1. Accounting

2. Equipment Management

3. Preventive Maintenance

4. Work Order Management

5. Customer Orders

6. Purchasing

7. Inventory

8. HR Basics

Mohammad Tohamy Hussein Hussein
by Mohammad Tohamy Hussein Hussein , Chief Executive Officer & ERP Architect , Egyptian Software Group

ERP for Services software is designed to greatly reduce waste and uncertainty. It gives a services organization true visibility into project activity, costs, resource allocation, and billing activity. It allows for business metrics and analytics to be viewed across the enterprise. This not only allows for optimal project resource allocation and efficient project execution, but also creates a structure where the enterprise can create clear and repeatable frameworks for project success. There are six main functional areas specific to ERP for Services software. The key characteristics and benefits of each are described below.

 

1.       Project portfolio management. PPM is essentially a way of grouping projects across the business into “portfolios.” ERP for Services software has a wide variety of tools to facilitate PPM. Portfolios include reports to illustrate project timelines, progress, health, and risks, among other things. This empowers decision makers with the analytics capabilities required to take action in order to mitigate project risk and ensure proper resource loading across a series of projects and/or departments. It allows the business to determine if projects are feasible from a budgeting or requirements perspective. A series of dashboards allows executives to have at-a-glance views of general project and departmental performance. Having all this data at hand allows for the creation of comprehensive “what-if” scenarios in order to determine different ways by which the organization can achieve maximum project efficiency and profitability. This ensures that there is governance at the executive level and a basis for measuring progress against the strategic goals of the company.

 

2.       Project management. According to the Project Management Institute, project management is

The application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently. It’s a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie project results to business goals—and thus, better compete in their markets.

ERP for Services software contains a suite of tools that facilitate project management practices. The concept of work breakdown structure (WBS) is key to project management. This refers to the way a project is broken down into smaller component deliverables, down to the level of granularity where a task can be assigned to an individual person. A task is an amount of work to be done by a certain expert resource in an allotted amount of time. The WBS creates an outline of a sequence of tasks that need to be done to complete a project. Costs and billing information are captured at the task level. This is the data that is used to inform the project manager, and by extension the executive group, on the progress of a given project. ERP for Services software generally has extensive capabilities in regard to project management. The types of functionality that are typically addressed relate to project initiation, planning, execution, tracking and control, and finally project closure.

 

3.       Resource management. Resources need to be allocated adequately and effectively. In the case of services companies, the resources being referred to are mainly the people and their skills. ERP for Services resource management capabilities address inefficiencies and bottlenecks across the enterprise. These tools allow project managers to find available resources for tasks based on availability, skill set, geographic location, whether the project member is internal or external to the organization (i.e., full-time employee vs. an outsourced or contracted individual), and more. However, not all packages have the capability to support all these criteria. A key benefit of the resource management capability is the ability to do resource capacity management and leveling, and capacity constraint management. Constraint management, in general terms, is the planning of resources within a defined time span. This enables a project manager to conduct what-if scenario planning by mixing and matching resources to ultimately achieve continuous and balanced resource assignments to the tasks created in the WBS.

 

4.       Time management. Time management is the process of capturing the amount of time that is worked by an individual on various tasks (actuals) he or she is assigned through a project WBS. It is through the time that employees record that project managers can ascertain the progress of their projects. Time entries in timesheets can then go through a series of approval steps (project manager, department manager) all the way to the payroll department.

Time entries generally are allotted a cost rate and a billing rate. This can be determined by multiple factors that are present in resource management and/or project management. As an ERP for Services application runs on a single database, time data is updated instantly across the enterprise—the same data is used for resource and time management as for invoicing clients and issuing employee paychecks. This eliminates the need for separate time-tracking spreadsheets, which typically represent a much more manual and time-intensive method of aggregating the number of hours that are devoted to separate tasks and projects.

 

5.       Project costing and billing. Project costing capabilities allow project managers and executives to determine the financial health of a project. The WBS can figure prominently in determining costing rules, as can resource management criteria.

Project billing can be done on either a milestone basis or a progress basis. As project costs and expenses all reside in the same database, generating invoices using one set of data eliminates the potential for errors from manual re-entry from one system to another.

 

6.       Analytics and reporting. ERP for Services packages offer an array of tools to gain insight into the state of the services company at any given time. Report data reflects the structure of the company and its projects. For example, the entire WBS becomes a source of project data, and when coupled with resource, costing, and billing information, it can instantly provide a true picture of the health of the business.

 

Dashboards provide executives with current, actionable information. And business intelligence functionality enables retrieval and analysis of data at all levels of the organization.

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