• No Maintenance

• No Updating

• No Downtime

• No Internal IT Department

• No Database Management

• No Installations

The vendor you select to be your ERP Provider brings everything you need with them to the table. You are literally out sourcing your entire IT Staff and eliminating all IT staff. This is beneficial for company’s seeing IT Managers and networking managers can be very costly. In some cases you might be able to afford a new ERP Software Suite by simply eliminating their salaries.

After selecting your vendor you sign contracts on time line determining how long you will be using this specific vendor ERP Vendor. This can be for 5 years, 10 years I guess it depends on how active the company is with developing new functionality and the customer service experience you had as a customer.

What should you take into consideration regarding SAAS, Software as a Service?

Hardware – You should always ensure the hardware you will be getting can handle your company’s needs. You don’t want customers having issue when traffic picks up or you get a high server load.
Dedicated of Shared – Ensure you ask about the server specs. Will you be sharing a server or will you have your own dedicated server.
Internet Connectivity – Will the internet be able to handle your customers and self needs. Does the company have a 5mb line of a few T1 lines?
Accessibility – Do you have easy access to your data and company information? Can you access from any location at any time using many methods of technology such as a black berry and iphone?

Do your research and make sure you select the right vendor for your needs. There’s nothing worse then getting stuck in a 5 year contract that’s not beneficial toy our company’s needs.

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• Reduction in pricing for ERP Software

• More niche market and targeted solutions

• More availability for ERP in your native language

• Advanced methods of communication for increase in productivity and efficiency

In today’s post we will take a look at the Top ERP Vendors of 2009! Let’s not forget this is my personal opinion and if I was running a large multi million dollar business I would recommend these companies and that’s final.

For over 30 years FDM4 International Inc. has specialized in becoming a leading provider of integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Warehouse Management Software (WMS), eCommerce Web Solutions (B2B/B2C), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Executive Dashboard.

Our robust, scalable solutions are easy- to-use industry specific applications for Manufacturers/Distributors in various industries including: Consumer Products, Fashion, Apparel, Footwear, and Industrial parts. FDM4 International Inc has clients that range in size from 20 users to over 1,000 users and our flexible solutions can be configured to perform at the highest efficiency regardless of the size of client.

FDM4’s technical, implementation and customer support departments are staffed by talented, highly trained professionals who are dedicated to providing our clients with the exact solution they are looking for. We have achieved 100% implementation success rate with the superior functionality and technology of FDM4

FDM4 International Inc. is a progressive development company that continues to take advantage of the latest development tools as they become available. We continue to watch the trends in the technology industry and adapt to meet the needs of all our customers to ensure they gain a competitive advantage while increasing overall profitability. This unique combination of industry-leading functionality, technology and services guarantees client success.

SAP

SAP: DELIVERING IT-POWERED BUSINESS INNOVATION

From Walldorf to Wall Street: The SAP Success Story
As the world’s leading provider of business software*, SAP delivers products and services that help accelerate business innovation for our customers. We believe that doing so will unleash growth and create significant new value – for our customers, SAP, and ultimately, entire industries and the economy at large. Today, customers in more than 120 countries run SAP applications – from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small businesses and midsize companies to suite offerings for global organizations.

Founded in 1972, SAP has a rich history of innovation and growth as a true industry leader. SAP currently has sales and development locations in more than 50 countries worldwide and is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and NYSE under the symbol “SAP.”

Helping Companies Become Best-Run Businesses
Our vision is for companies of all sizes to become best-run businesses. In today’s challenging business environment, best-run companies have clarity across all aspects of their business, which allows them to act quickly with increased insight, efficiency, and flexibility. By using SAP solutions, companies of all sizes – including small businesses and midsize companies – can reduce costs, optimize performance, and gain the insight and agility needed to close the gap between strategy and execution. To help our customers get the most out of their IT investments so that they can maximize their business performance, our professionals deliver the highest level of service and support.

Oracle

Three decades ago, Larry Ellison saw an opportunity other companies missed when he came across a description of a working prototype for a relational database and discovered that no company had committed to commercializing the technology. Ellison and his co-founders, Bob Miner and Ed Oates, realized there was tremendous business potential in the relational database model—but they may not have realized that they would change the face of business computing forever.

With the agility of a much smaller company, Oracle has proved throughout its history that it can build for the future on the foundation of years of innovation, intimate knowledge of its customers’ challenges and successes, and the best technical and business minds in the world. The company has shown both the ability to leverage its immense size and strength to serve its customers, as well as the capacity to make decisions that upend conventional wisdom and take its products and services in new directions.

After 30 years, Oracle remains the gold standard for database technology and applications in enterprises throughout the world: The company is the world’s leading supplier of software for information management, and the world’s second largest independent software company. Oracle technology can be found in nearly every industry, and in the data centers of 100 of the Fortune Global 100 companies. Oracle is the first software company to develop and deploy 100 percent internet-enabled enterprise software across its entire product line: database, business applications, and application development and decision support tools.

It is innovation that drives Oracle’s success. Oracle was one of the first companies to make its business applications available through the internet—an idea that is now pervasive. With the release of Oracle Fusion Middleware, Oracle has begun debuting new products and functionality that reflect the company’s goal: connecting all levels of enterprise technology to help customers access the knowledge they need to respond to market conditions with speed and agility. Today, Oracle Real Application Clusters, Oracle E-Business Suite, Oracle Grid Computing, support for enterprise Linux, and Oracle Fusion all fuel a commitment to innovation and results that has defined Oracle for thirty years.

What’s in store for tomorrow? We will strive to become No. 1 in middleware and No. 1 in applications, just as we’ve done in database. Our goal is to continue to innovate and to lead the industry—while always making sure that we’re focused on solving the problems of the customers who rely on our software.

Today, Oracle is the largest business software company in the world, with more than 320,000 customers—including 100 of the Fortune Global 100—and supports these customer in more than 145 countries.

Net Suite

Founded in 1998, NetSuite Inc. (NYSE: N) is the leading provider of on-demand, integrated business management software for growing and midsize businesses. With thousands of customers globally using NetSuite’s online products and professional services, companies are enabled to manage all key business operations — in a single hosted system, including: customer relationship management (CRM); order fulfillment; inventory; accounting and finance, product assembly; ecommerce; Web site management; and employee productivity.

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics solutions include applications and services for retailers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and service companies, doing business domestically or in multiple countries. With these tools in hand, people in every key position in your organization can contribute to the success of your company. Microsoft Dynamics enhances all lines of business in your organization and delivers exceptional benefits in three critical areas:

Financial management: Microsoft Dynamics solutions help you maintain control of your finances and manage them with a high level of efficiency. You can make complete, current financial information and reports available to anybody who needs it to perform business planning. Simplify and automate routine and repetitious functions, so your employees can focus on more critical tasks. Use Microsoft Dynamics to create the required financial and other reporting needed to realize flawless regulatory compliance.

Customer relationship management (CRM): Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other customer relationship management tools help you maintain close contact with your customers and prospects, and manage sales and marketing initiatives and track their results. Microsoft Dynamics can also assist you in identifying emerging customer needs early and respond to them before the competitors do.

Supply chain management: With Microsoft Dynamics, you can connect your entire supply chain in a productive, fast-moving flow. Assess the business value of your vendor and business partner relationships to make sure they suit your objectives. Offer sophisticated communicative, collaborative, and self-service capabilities to make it easy and compelling for other companies to do business with you. Increase efficiencies in distribution to improve customer satisfaction and reduce the cost of doing business.

Jesta

Jesta I.S. is an end-to-end software solutions provider for the soft goods and specialty markets. Jesta’s solutions empower retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers to increase visibility across both their internal and external supply network through a single vendor. Serving some of the largest organizations, Jesta has created a solid upgrade path and the implementation methodologies to ensure continued satisfaction and secured investment for our clients.

Encompassing all front and back office operations, workflow management and global sourcing aspects of the supply chain, the Vision Suite’s modular design allows the solutions to be deployed independently or collectively.

Our mission is to create business value and return on investment for our clients by enabling end-to-end supply chain solutions for the soft goods and specialty markets.

Privately-held and part of the Jesta Group of companies, Jesta I.S. has built a foundation for continued growth and increased product offerings through development and technology partnerships that close the loop of the supply chain for our clients.

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We have to remember the b2b eCommerce software needs to offer your customers a relaxing experience. The advance search features and option can do just that. Allow for drill down with specific features and style enabling your customers to easily find their existing or new products.

Having the availability of Style, Color and Size for the Apparel Accessories and Footwear industry is of most importance. Don’t think any generic b2b eCommerce platform will work. This is important to remember seeing your customers needs are what your looking to meet here.

When selling Business to Business we have to remember things work a littler differently.Having the Stock availability online for your customers to see is a nice option. In some cases you might not want to show the availability and this is fine as well. I would also ensure the software has the option to order the same products from multiple warehouses. Many customers like this seeing they will be ordering in the evening and if on the east coast they can still order and have products shipped from the west coast.

The purpose of launching a b2b Business to Business Web Portal is to allow your customers to have the most flexibility to manage their Business accounts without calling your company. The follow is what your customers should expect when creating and accessing their account.

• Edit Account Profile

• Change passwords

• Manage Contact

• Manage Account Users

• Check and Follow Order Status

• View Account Statements

• View Sales History

• Pay Invoices

We have to remember the point of b2b eCommerce is to release the work load of the CSR’s and allocate the financial resources else where in the company. We need to allow the Business to Business customers to deal and manage the following area’s,

• Order Status

• Oder Detail

• Account Statements

For more information please visit FDM4 International

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When looking at an eCommerce b2c Software package ensure the software handles all your needs. Functionality within an eCommerce b2c package is dependent in what you want to sell online. Software comes with availability for Style, Color, Size and Width in the Apparel and Footwear Industry.

Some industries will need other requirements like the availability to handle Kits or pre arranged styles. This is very specific towards the work and fashion industry. When buying an item you can only buy it a specific way all the time. The products will come with specific accessories and offer nothing else. These items would allow room for changes in sizes and maybe color.

Before making a final decision make sure you have seen a good number of online demonstrations. You don’t want to sell yourself short and miss out on any functionality. This should be done with patience as it will be generating profits for your company for years to come.

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•    Well spoken English Communication
•    Quality Workmanship
•    Excellent Customer Service
•    Detailed Understanding of the Industry
•    Very Educated in the Software for Support and Trouble Shooting
•    Specific Modifications and Customizations
•    Advanced On site Training and Implementation
•    On site and or Remote Software Support

•    Major Communication Issues
•    Less Customization
•    Lack of Detailed Industry Specific Functionality (Turnkey Solutions)
•    Remote Support, Training, and Implementation
•    Out of the Box ERP System
•    Web Based ERP Suite
•    Lack of System Knowledge and Trouble Shooting

Many factors come into play when purchasing an expensive or cheap ERP Software Suite. This decision will determine how successful you company will be now and in the future. Operating your company efficiently and productively should be of most importance and far greater than saving a few thousand dollars.

What you have to remember is your company will be using this software daily and calling in for support. Will your company receive adequate and proper training? If you have communication barriers not allowing your employees to get the proper support and or training your company as a whole will suffer.

What should you look for in an ERP Vendor?

1.    Ensure the company is in your country and speaks your language.
2.    Ask detailed questions about customization and modifications.
3.    Determine if the support and training will ensure success within your company.
4.    Look at their current client list and see if you fit in this industry.
5.    Ensure you’re allowed modifying the software internally within the company.
6.    Ensure you have the ability to still receive the greatest and latest upgrades from the company.
7.    Hourly rate of the programmers when support or training is needed.
8.    Employees in North America and Western Europe get paid much more than in India or other countries.
9.    Determine the skill level of the ERP Vendors programmers. Ask advanced questions and see how long it takes to get an answer back. You don’t want to end up with an ERP vendor that has two or three smart people and a gym full of monkeys.
10.    Do your research. Talk to other company’s that use their software and see if they’re happy with their service.

The morale of the story is this.  Just because you get cheap software system doesn’t mean it’s the best solution to your needs.

There’s a reason the software is cheap so do your research.

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ERP Distribution Software is even harder to find in .NET when including RF compatibility into the scenario. After much research I will show you the one warehousing software package that stands out from the crowd and is clearly dominating the industry with .NET functionality and compatibility.

.NET Wholesale Software Inbound Functions

.NET Wholesale Distribution Inventory Functions

.NET Wholesale Distribution Order Functions

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ERP Solutions that can handle Style, Color, and Size naturally with no modifications is very hard to find. A few ERP Software Developers come to  mind but one in specific stands out amongst the rest and that’s FDM4 International. After writing my review regarding the companies CRM Sales Force Software and Warehousing Software Solutions I decided it was only appropriate to discuss what the company has developed specific to the Apparel Industry regarding ERP Software.

Purchase Order – When developing the purchase order and Entry again FDM4 remained specific to their niche and implemented some very nice Style,Color and Size Functionality you can’t find in any other ERP system. The FDM4 Purchase Order module manages the planning, ordering, and receiving of inventory into one or more warehouses.This module also facilitates the returning of inventory to a vendor.The FDM4 Purchase Order can be used by itself or in conjunction with other FDM4 modules.

Thanks

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Warehousing Logistic Software – This is a more detailed and elaborate piece of software for warehousing. Not only does the logistic system do all that the ERP inventory control does but it’s also automated. This allows for conveyor belts, intelligent put away, replenishment of bulk and piece pick locations plus more. This will have additional cost but in most cases becomes very beneficial to the company.

Warehousing Management Dashboards

Alright if any of my readers are in the Warehouse or you’re going to love this next part. Some companies have management to take their Warehousing Software to the next level of development. We have all seen Management Executive Dashboards for marketing, ales, Account and Inventory but have you ever seen this within the warehouse?

This Dashboard allows warehousing staff to remain productive and efficient allowing them to track dropped orders, open orders, orders in picking, orders in packing but in a graphical and statistical analysis environment. I managed to find some screen shots online and for reference please visit FDM4 International for more information.

FDM4 has recently launched an Executive Dashboard developed in Microsoft .NET which allows users to create interactive, consolidated visual displays of important information. Dashboards are fully customizable, using any combination of charts, reports and data-views.

Thanks

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My Blog has the following Categories and the majority of my writing here at PRE ERP will be filed under the following,

ERP Software – This is a general, non technical introductory category to ERP Software.

ERP Software Resources

• Wiki Pedia ERP Definition

e-Commerce Software – This is a general, non technical introductory category to ERP Software

e-Commerce Software Resources

• Wiki Pedia e-Commerce Definition

Warehousing Software – This is a general, non technical introductory category to Warehousing Software

Warehousing Software Resources

• Wiki Pedia Warehouse Management System Definition

CRM Software – This is a general, non technical introductory category to CRM Software

CRM Software Resources

• CRM Wiki Pedia Definition

At times and specifically for larger companies the ERP purchase and Implementation can be very difficult. Don’t rush into something you know nothing about! Take a few moments, read my articles and visit the linked Wiki Pedia ERP Software Resources I shared.

Brian

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FDM4’s technical, implementation and customer support departments are staffed by talented, highly trained professionals who are dedicated to providing our clients with the exact solution they are looking for. We have achieved 100% implementation success rate with the superior functionality and technology of FDM4

FDM4 International Inc. is a progressive development company that continues to take advantage of the latest development tools as they become available. We continue to watch the trends in the technology industry and adapt to meet the needs of all our customers to ensure they gain a competitive advantage while increasing overall profitability. This unique combination of industry-leading functionality, technology and services guarantees client success.

SAP – As the world’s leading provider of business software*, SAP delivers products and services that help accelerate business innovation for our customers. We believe that doing so will unleash growth and create significant new value – for our customers, SAP, and ultimately, entire industries and the economy at large. Today, customers in more than 120 countries run SAP applications – from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small businesses and midsize companies to suite offerings for global organizations.

Founded in 1972, SAP has a rich history of innovation and growth as a true industry leader. SAP currently has sales and development locations in more than 50 countries worldwide and is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and NYSE under the symbol “SAP.”

Our vision is for companies of all sizes to become best-run businesses. In today’s challenging business environment, best-run companies have clarity across all aspects of their business, which allows them to act quickly with increased insight, efficiency, and flexibility. By using SAP solutions, companies of all sizes – including small businesses and midsize companies – can reduce costs, optimize performance, and gain the insight and agility needed to close the gap between strategy and execution. To help our customers get the most out of their IT investments so that they can maximize their business performance, our professionals deliver the highest level of service and support.

Oracle – For almost 30 years, Oracle has been helping customers like you manage your business systems and information with reliable, secure, and integrated technologies.

Today, Oracle is the largest business software company in the world, with more than 320,000 customers—including 98 of the Fortune 100—and supports these customer in more than 145 countries.

If you are new to Oracle, a returning customer, or starting a new installation, the following pages will show you how Oracle can make your implementation faster, your team more effective, your marketing more productive, and your return on investment higher. If you are a current Oracle customer, please take a moment to get reacquainted with our services.

Epicor – What defines Epicor? The absolute focus on the markets we serve. The commitment to delivering world–class software and innovative technologies. The global infrastructure and experience to support emerging businesses, regional corporations and global enterprises. The dedication to delivering world–class customer service and satisfaction. The strength, vision and viability to be a long–term business partner. And, the commitment to place our customers at the center of everything we do.

More than 20,000 customers, in over 140 countries, rely on Epicor to help them meet today’s business challenges—and empower them for even greater success tomorrow. With solutions available in more than 30 languages, Epicor can support your organization – whether you conduct business on a local, regional or multinational level.

Designed for the unique needs of key industries—manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality and services—Epicor provides the end–to–end, industry–leading solutions and the domain expertise you need to increase operational efficiency and drive competitive advantage. With over 20 years of experience in delivering innovative, award–winning solutions to our customers, Epicor is a strong, stable partner that you can rely on now and in the future.

Microsoft Dynamics – Microsoft Dynamics solutions include applications and services for retailers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and service companies, doing business domestically or in multiple countries. With these tools in hand, people in every key position in your organization can contribute to the success of your company. Microsoft Dynamics enhances all lines of business in your organization and delivers exceptional benefits in three critical areas:

Financial management: Microsoft Dynamics solutions help you maintain control of your finances and manage them with a high level of efficiency. You can make complete, current financial information and reports available to anybody who needs it to perform business planning. Simplify and automate routine and repetitious functions, so your employees can focus on more critical tasks. Use Microsoft Dynamics to create the required financial and other reporting needed to realize flawless regulatory compliance.

Customer relationship management (CRM): Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other customer relationship management tools help you maintain close contact with your customers and prospects, and manage sales and marketing initiatives and track their results. Microsoft Dynamics can also assist you in identifying emerging customer needs early and respond to them before the competitors do.

Supply chain management: With Microsoft Dynamics, you can connect your entire supply chain in a productive, fast-moving flow. Assess the business value of your vendor and business partner relationships to make sure they suit your objectives. Offer sophisticated communicative, collaborative, and self-service capabilities to make it easy and compelling for other companies to do business with you. Increase efficiencies in distribution to improve customer satisfaction and reduce the cost of doing business.

Best of luck and Enjoy!

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