What is the difference between ERP and merchandise management system?
ERP system? Merchandise management system? Do you know the difference? Both terms are often used synonymously. This usually causes confusion in companies. However, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and merchandise management systems fulfill very different operational requirements.
So one thing at a time ...
Merchandise management systems are primarily used by companies that engage in trade. With the increasing shift to online business, there is a growing demand for links to third-party systems, for example for accounting. ERP systems can be used for both: they offer functionalities for handling all company processes.
A merchandise management system, WWS or WaWi for short, documents and serves to control the movement of goods in the company. It therefore maps the material flow and also distinguishes between material and substance groups. In general, merchandise management systems are divided into closed and open systems. Closed ERP systems are those with the following functions and areas:
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Incoming goods
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Outgoing goods
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Marketing
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Ordering
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Disposition
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Output of disposition aids
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Order processes
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Order description
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Order monitoring
If other systems are connected, if the aforementioned modules are missing or if there are connections to systems of suppliers, customers or banks, this is referred to as open merchandise management.
An ERP system can solve the challenge of linking other areas of the company with merchandise management. It is the tool of choice when it comes to overall resource planning.
IT companies and companies from the service listing sector that offer pure services have different requirements for business software than what an ERP system can provide. Attempts are often made to map the service within merchandise management. However, this attempt is only a crutch and does not adequately address the needs of service companies.
Everything for a good customer relationship
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CRM
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Services
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Helpdesk
Everything for a good customer relationship
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Accounting
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Contract management
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Projects
Everything for a good customer relationship
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Trade
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Purchasing
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Sale
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Warehouse management
But that's not all: high-performance ERP systems map all company processes and interlink them efficiently so that all workflows interact harmoniously. This makes ERP systems the engine of value creation for companies.
Once you have found a suitable ERP system such as SITE, you no longer have to resort to several different programs. All the functions required for both enterprise resource planning and merchandise management are bundled in the system.
ERP software offers these advantages:
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Time saving:
Long waits for information on orders are over. Each cost center can easily access the required information itself.
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Automation of work processes:
Storing regular processes and procedures makes it easier for employees to handle information.
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Simple data maintenance in one system:
One system, everything is in one place, no errors occur during transmission and everyone has the same data.
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Determination, processing and control of real-time data:
Real-time data can be passed on to sales and marketing without the need to call up additional resources.
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Optimization of processes:
Complex processes are a thing of the past.
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Fast data evaluation and analysis:
Data can be analyzed in real time, allowing resources to be planned more effectively.
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