Selecting a new ERP system is not an easy task. First, you must gather all the information you need about each potential system and compare and contrast the different options.
Gathering information can be time-consuming, and it’s easy to forget something important. In addition, comparing and contrasting different options can be difficult, especially if you have little experience with ERP systems.
An enterprise resource planning requirements template can help your team gather all the information it needs about each potential system. This ERP requirements gathering template can also help you better compare and contrast the different options.
The article defines the ERP requirements template and discloses the ERP requirements checklist and how to develop it.
What is the enterprise resource planning requirements template?
The ERP requirements template is a document that outlines the minimum requirements for an organization’s enterprise resource planning software.
The template ensures organizations understand their enterprise resource planning needs before choosing a software solution.
Why do you need an ERP requirements template?
The ERP requirements template includes organizational structure, business processes, data, and information requirements, system security and access control, SLAs and other legal requirements, technical infrastructure, and implementation considerations.
In addition, each section includes specific questions that should be answered to assess the organization’s needs properly.
Answering these questions will help organizations identify the features and functionality they require from an enterprise resource planning solution. Additionally, the template can generate a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Top ERP requirements checklist
1. Accounting and Financial Management
ERP software can automate accounting processes, freeing staff to provide more advisory services.
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Invoices
- Deposits
- Cash Flow Management
- Automatic Cost Calculation
- Cost Calculation Mode Selection
- Budgeting
- Bank Reconciliation
- Payroll
- Cost Analysis
- Advanced Allocations
- Budgeting
- Expense Management
- General Ledger
- Multiple Currencies Support
- Multiple Languages Support
- Regulatory Compliance Support
2. Human Resource Management
HR management is one of the top ERP requirements checklists. It oversees employee training, happiness, and recruitment to maintain a healthy company.
- Employee Information Management
- Recruitment and Hiring
- onboarding
- Talent Management
- Benefits Management
- Financial Management
- Professional Development
- Accounting and Payroll
Manufacturing
ERP Manufacturing is a tool that helps to maximize staff hours, identify weaknesses, and automate the supply chain.
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Capacity Requirements Planning
- Production Cost Analysis
- Production Control
- Product Data Management
- Engineering Change Management
- Forecasting
- Job Costing
- Master Production Scheduling
- Quality Assurance Management
- Quality Monitoring
- Quality Analysis
- Resource Planning and Management
3. Inventory Management
Inventory management enables you to keep track of inventory levels and order replenishment with real-time data.
- Product History
- Pricing management
- Inventory tracking
- Picking and packing
- Multi-Location Tracking
- Labeling
- Order Tracking
- Sales Order
- Quotations
4. Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing are essential tools for a thriving business. Many businesses provide both internet and in-person sales.
- Inquiries
- e-commerce
- Quotes
- Invoices
- Sales Order Management
- Shipping
- Lead Management
- Visual Tracking
- Social Marketing
5. Customer Relationship Management
The CRM module is a crucial tool for businesses to manage their contacts and customer communication.
It can track everything from initial emails, phone calls, or messages on social media channels. Its robust analytical features help businesses improve the customer experience at each stage from start to end, with increased retention rates.
- Contact Management
- Customer Account Management
- Customer Account Dashboard
6. Marketing Resource Management
- Pricing and Tracking
- Service Management
- B2C Commerce
- B2B Commerce
- Order Management
- Email Tools
- Email Integration
- Case Management
- Customer Self-Service
- Marketing Campaign
- Rental Management
- Sales Management
- Mobile Access
- Sales Force Automation
7. Supply Chain Management
SCM tools are a great way to help ensure your product gets from the supplier to the customer. There’s plenty more than just procurement and distribution.
- Procurement
- Work order
- Demand Planning
- Distribution Management
- Logistics Management
- Logistics Planning
- Shipping management
- Event Management
- Warranty management
- Manufacturing Execution System
- Management of Resources
- Scheduling
- Dispatch of Orders
- Execution of Orders
- Collection of Production Data
- Production Performance Analysis
8. Business Intelligence(BI)
Business intelligence (BI) is the process of monitoring a company’s vital information, and it converts them into charts and graphs to make informed decisions.
- Data Integration
- Big Data Management
- Data Warehouses
- Data Quality
- Data Catalogs
- Business Analytics (BA)
- DATA Analysis
- Data management
9. Automation
ERP software automates repetitive tasks and allows for real-time data sharing between departments.
- Machine Learning(ML)
- Artificial Intelligence(AI)
- Natural Language Processing
- Robotic Processing Automation
10. Integration
ERP software is designed to integrate into your existing infrastructure with minimal disruption.
- Hardware Integration
- Application and Software Integration
- New modules integration
- Integration With devices
- Integration With Barcode Generator
11. Reporting
The reporting module allows you to create customizable reports with your company logo and colors.
- Profit and Loss Statements
- Periodic
- Bank Reconciliation Statements
- Proposals
- Internal and External
- Vertical and Lateral
- Invoices
How to develop an ERP requirements checklist?
Define your business needs and objectives
Before investing in an ERP system, assessing your business needs and objectives is essential. To start, sit down with key stakeholders within your organization and discuss what they hope to gain from an ERP implementation.
What processes do they feel are inefficient? What problems do they encounter daily? Once you understand the pain points within your organization, you can look for an ERP system to address them.
After this, you ensure you choose the right system for your company. Otherwise, you risk ending up with expensive software that doesn’t address your specific needs.
Research and evaluate available ERP software solutions
Once you know what you’re looking for, you can narrow your options and identify a few potential ERP vendors. From there, it’s important to compare features and pricing before deciding.
By taking the time to research available ERP software solutions, you can find a solution that’s right for your business and ensure that your business operations run smoothly.
Create and refine a master checklist of all desired features and functionality
A checklist is an important tool for any software development project. It helps to ensure that all of the necessary features and functionality are included in the final product.
It is crucial to call for all stakeholders to create the checklist, as they will each have different requirements for the software.
Once the checklist is complete, review it regularly to ensure that it remains accurate and up-to-date.
Prioritize the items on the checklist according to need and importance
Not all items on a checklist are created equal. Some may be more important or urgent than others, and it can be helpful to prioritize the items on the checklist accordingly.
Send your ERP requirements to ERP vendors
After finalizing the requirements for an ERP system, you can circulate them to potential vendors like SAP, ORACLE NetSuite, or your partners.
Some more ERP purchasing considerations are as below:
- The vendor is familiar with your sector or other organizations of similar size.
- How does ERP integrate with other applications
- Understand and select the deployment system, like cloud-based or on-premise
- Analyze the required support system
- What training is available
- Consider the available platform and customization options
- Vendor equipped with a comprehensive network of partners offering expert implementation and consulting services
Benefits of ERP requirements gathering template
Numerous benefits come along with using an Enterprise resource planning requirements template, some of which include the following:
- Less time is needed to generate requirements Specifications since a lot of the information is pre-filled
- More accuracy and completeness in the requirements specifications since all essential details are included in the template.
- A reduction in errors and omissions in the requirements specifications
- Breach of contract legal disputes can be avoided as both parties would have been clear about what is required from the start.
FAQs
What is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system?
An ERP system is a software application that allows a company to manage its resources, including finances, production, and distribution. It typically integrates all aspects of a company into one system, making it easier to track and manage critical operations.
What are the advantages of using an ERP system?
Some benefits of using an ERP system include improved efficiency, better tracking and management of resources, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. Additionally, ERP systems can help companies reduce costs and improve customer service.
What types of companies use ERP systems?
Various companies use ERP systems, including manufacturing, distribution, and retail businesses. In general, any company needing to track and manage multiple business processes can benefit from an ERP system.
What are the requirements for an ERP system?
The requirements for an ERP system can vary depending on the company, but typically the system must be able to handle financials, production, and distribution.
It must also be able to integrate with other systems used by the company, such as accounting software and inventory management systems. Additionally, the ERP system should be easy to use and provide accurate information on time.
Conclusion
ERP requirements templates can help your business identify and document the specific needs of an ERP system. An ERP system helps to integrate all aspects of a company’s operations, including finance, manufacturing, sales, and service.
Using an ERP business requirements template, you can ensure that your business understands what it wants from an ERP system and effectively communicate those needs to potential vendors.
We hope our ERP requirements template article was helpful to you!
