Have you ever played with Legos? Whether you grew up with them, have bought them for your kids, or even play with them as an adult, these small bricks have been pervasive in our society for decades. That said, you know that building something out of the box is only one of the ways to use them. Alternatively, you can also dump everything into a big container and have at it. Want to build a Millennium Falcon/Batmobile hybrid? Have at it.
So why is a company who specializes in ERP implementation discussing Legos? Bare with us—because today’s ERP has a lot more in common with the bricks than you may expect.
Following our last blog exploring the tiers of ERP, the reasons companies are moving to this product earlier in their growth stage than ever, and the build-as-you-go style these products offer, we would today like to explore another key reason this is possible.
Modularity: Applying the Lego Set Mentality to Business Management Solutions
As you can see, we used the Lego example for a reason—the term modularity isn’t as catchy. That said, both terms accurately describe today’s ERP solutions. Rather than operating as a big, inflexible block, today’s ERP is built with the unique needs of companies in mind.
80% Is No Longer Enough
Not long ago, an 80% fit used to be a great thing for companies looking at ERP. That’s not the case today. In today’s selection environment, 80% gets you on the long list. Now more than ever, it’s easier to get a solution as unique as your company. From industry-specific enhancements to integration built on a common language, ERP meets the high standards you’re setting.
Out-of-the-Box
Just as you can open up a box of Legos and follow the instructions provided, some companies find a perfect fit out of the box. This is especially true for early stage company selecting a solution like NetSuite or Acumatica. With fewer moving parts to account for, these organizations can get up and running with minimal customization.
The Crossover
The beauty of Legos exists in the sheer number of sets that exist. Want to combine a spaceship with a pirate ship or have an incredible crossover between Lego characters? You can do all of this without ever leaving the Lego umbrella.
Like this, you can get the same thing from ERP. One example of this is Acumatica Product Editions, preconfigured solutions for unique industries. However, just because there’s a Commerce Edition doesn’t mean you can’t pick and choose modules from a module like Distribution.
The Multi-Brand Combination
As great as Legos are, they aren’t the only building block brand. Competing brands exist. But knowing this, Lego didn’t build some proprietary shape that wouldn’t work with others. No. They kept things open, allowing someone to just as easily combine different Lego sets as they are able to combine their Mega Blocks sets with Legos.
Similarly, today’s ERP providers are more open to collaborate with competitors than ever. From Microsoft’s partnership with SAP and Adobe to build a common language for the cloud to NetSuite’s SuiteScript and SuiteTalk to Acumatica’s work with Power BI, integrating ERP is easier than ever.
ERP Doesn’t Have to be Complicated
Today’s ERP is easier to customize, integrate, and use than ever before. Whether you need a solution out of the box or something unique to you, the right partner can help you get there.
At MIBAR, we’ve been doing this for years and know the ins and outs of the products we deliver—not only boasting a high success rate, but a high success rate saving other partners’ failed implementations.
If you’re preparing to implement an ERP system—or even thinking about it—MIBAR can help. Contact us to learn more. In fact, until the end of the year, we have a special offer for companies who choose us to help them with a NetSuite implementation.
