Founder’s Note:

Dear Patron,

 

It gives me immense pleasure to see the overwhelming response of every edition of our newsletter. Your comments and feedback are of great value to our team and gives us energy to rebound every month.

 

On that note, our R&D team has conducted a market analysis this month, of the reasons why ERP software implementations fail. The alarming results show lack of industry knowledge from the vendor’s point of view and deficiency in the customer’s product knowledge. 

 Therefore in this edition of our newsletter we will be highlighting problems and solutions for what makes an ERP implementation fail.The most vital drawback is that ERP softwares is sold as ‘one size fits all’ .

 

We at Expand ERP ensure that your ERP fits in best with your customised and unique industry/ regional specific requirements.Unless it fits perfect, it is impossible that your ERP software will give back desired results. This is the reason why India has chosen us as the best fit ERP software for mid sized manufacturers in the export and retail industry.

 

The articles that will follow have specific information and knowledge about why your ERP software needs to be industry specific.

I sincerely wish the best of  luck and prosperity for all our patrons and well wishers.

 

Warm Regards

 

Vineet Bansal

CEO, eDominer Technologies Pvt Ltd.

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different!” – Coco Channel

 

Expand ERP is India’s best-fit cloud ERP system for fast-growing businesses like yours. It empowers the mid-sized manufacturers in the export and retail industry with real-time visibility and complete control over their business for faster expansion by simplifying complex business processes. 

 

With over 15 years of extensive R&D and market testing, we have developed a software that seamlessly fits into Indian Business. We are the OEM of this solution. Further, specific fitment through customization and integration are made for the company’s unique needs. All measures are taken to fit seamlessly into the existing business processes to deliver the maximum benefit of our solution. 

 

Industry-specific ERP systems offer essential tools for business management, accounting, and finance just like generic systems but these systems offer features that are tailored to an organization’s specific industry.

 

Advantages of Industry-Specific ERP software:

Any organisation that desires to deploy an ERP software should always opt for an industry-specific solution.It can instantly reach the next level and stand tall against all competitors with the implementation of industry-specific ERP software. 

There are several  benefits of industry specific ERP systems.

 

Quick Implementation and Reduced Costs –

Any generic ERP software does not fulfil specific industry demands without the supplementation of add-ons and integrations. Such customizations are not only cumbersome but expensive as well. Further, every time a vendor updates the ERP system, rewriting the customizations will be necessary. For instance, if we look at the automotive industry, the supplier and consumer demand alteration reports display how demand has transformed with time. When an ERP solution is unable to offer this kind of functionality, it will automatically decrease its capacity to compete.Expand ERP software carries built-in functionality with the ability to set the system quickly. There is no lack of a documented system of procedures and core model fixation template.Expand ERP for the automotive industry has the unique functionalities that are required to conduct business with ease.

 

• Customer friendly and adequate industry knowledge

Vendors of these solutions carry domain knowledge in particular industries and also with the customers. It is imperative to select an ERP partner that takes active participation in known industry organizations. Such vendors construct functionality in the solutions depending on the knowledge gained from the industries.Expand ERP has more than 16 years of industry experience in the Indian manufacturing market with adequate industry and product knowledge. This helps to customise the software as per your unique needs.

 

• Supports compliances and regulations with ease

The best reason to implement industry-specific ERP is due to its by default support of  government and legal compliances and regulatory requisites for businesses. Especially when it comes to aspects like supply chain and quality, these systems help businesses to comply with all the rules and regulations of the industry. Organizations must select an ERP system that supports worldwide compliance in the spaces of financial accounting, delivery, and quality.This helps in the future for expansion globally.

 

• Easily scalable and upgraded as per demands

Organisations that deploy industry specific ERP softwares like Expand ERP can swiftly move up the ladder and upgrade without making much amends.They can even expand and craft new applications that are scalable and dependable without the need for developing version lock-in. As upgrading gets easy and rapid with these ERP systems, it is possible to stay current and decrease the gap that lies between altering business environments and ERP. Businesses can adapt to futuristic disruptions, and follow continuous improvement with our ERP solutions.

 

• Business as per your convenience

Industry-specific ERP software goes far beyond and doesn’t just offer tools like generic ERP softwares. These include capabilities and attributes modified as per an organization’s particular industry and operational requirements. For instance, a production planner with an industry-specific ERP system can employ the functionality of combined batch scheduling for assisting them in scheduling and planning product production. This will give a boost to sales and order . A generic software will call for involving a third-party system product or instigating a pricey add-on. 

 

 

The features of Expand ERPindustry-specific software are as follows:

1. Artificial intelligence and business intelligence
2. Wireless barcoding
3. Financial and accounting management
4. CMMS or Computerized maintenance management system
5. Customer relationship management
6. MRP or Material requirements planning
7. Human Resources
8. Supply chain management
9. Programmed unit-of-measure conversions
10. Demand planning and estimation
11. Manufacturing
12. Inventory management
13. Expense change management
14. Corrective/Non-conformance actions
15. BMRs or Batch manufacturing records
16. Validation of FDA software
17. Regulatory compliance
18. Quality management
19. Creation of certification of analysis and safety data sheet

Verticals that can benefit from Expand ERP Software:

 

Businesses belonging to these industries can bring drastic changes in their business processes with industry-specific Expand ERP software implementation. The verticals are as follows:

1. Iron and steel 
2. Services and trade
3. Chemical
4. Automotive
5. Cotton and Textile
6. Plastic
7. Handicrafts
8. Car Service and rental
9. Book publishing
10. Beverages and food
11. Oil and Gas 

Expand ERP has more than 16 years of market research and experience. The software is made in India for the Indian industries. Hence we know how the businesses work. Each and every industry has been specially designed as per their unique needs to provide optimum benefits of implementing an ERP software. Expand ERP is India’s best fit ERP software in midsized manufacturers in the export and retail sector.

“The best ad is a good product.” – Alan Meyer

 

Digital transformation is the latest buzz in the global market. It is not just a trend. However open to various interpretations, it can be defined as the transformation in business activities brought about by the implementation of digital technologies. In short, it’s redefining the way business is done in a digital age. It has become imperative for companies to embrace it.

1. To remain relevant in these changing times businesses must evolve with time. The changes introduced by digital technology are very extensive, and companies have to adapt to them to stay in the competition. Particularly in today’s world where new tech-savvy competitors disrupt the industry every few years, enterprises have to learn how to merge digital technology with their business strategy to survive.
2. Digital tools like big data and analytics, cloud computing, and social media are transforming the way businesses are run. Organisations that have embraced digital transformation have seen better profits than their competitors. 
3. Every company wants its employees to work faster and smarter. Digital tools can help them do that. They can create a more streamlined work environment that will boost collaboration, communication, and productivity. Moreover, by removing manual processes with digital technology, businesses can make their processes highly efficient.
4. From shopping online to making digital payments, customers have adopted digital practices. To reach out to them, companies have to undergo digital transformation too. Using the digital channels and tools preferred by customers to engage with them can go a long way in boosting consumer satisfaction and loyalty. Many companies have already started using digital technology to handle customer service and are delivering efficient support, much to their customers’ delight.

Digital transformation is not a choice, but a priority for companies in today’s business world. However, it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all model. Different organisations need different kinds of strategies. 

Expand ERP is India’s best fit ERP software for mid sized manufacturers in export and retail industry.It provides the best solutions for industry specific manufacturers in conducting their daily operational functions with ease and reduced time.

 

Some major problems that can be solved by implementing Expand ERP software are:

1. Management of companies depend on  people for reporting which can be solved through a simple management Dashboard which shows all the KPIs of the company.
2. Workflow can be created with Expand ERP to introduce multi-level approval and audit and efficiently control purchases and payments.
3. A major resource and time consuming activity in any company is collecting data, reconciling and then preparing reports on spreadsheets for the management. This is completely eliminated as information gets captured at the entry point itself as Expand ERP can be configured according to any reporting format needed.
4. Most export houses prepare export invoice, packing list, gst invoice with the help of text editors or spreadsheets. It is imperative that human errors and extra time is consumed. Expand users can complete this task in moments with ease and accuracy.
5. Accounting being the core of any business, Expand ERP has API integration facilities with popular softwares like Tally, SAP etc… 
6. Expand offers on- premise or on -private cloud options so that your data is always secured with you.

The best  integrations or tools that Expand ERP offers to manage your business efficiently are:

 

1.Whatsapp integration  – WhatsApp is NOW integrated with your ERP !

With the advancement of technology each day, the newest trend in ERP software is the WhatsApp integration with ERP. Effective communication is a crucial aspect of every business. In the work environment, it creates unity, sharing of feedback, improved customer relations, employee engagement and enhanced innovation. However, in the daily grind, communication often gets missed. Users might forget to communicate important aspects among each other or customers. They may not send invoices after selling goods, or purchase orders after placing an order or might not inform others to complete their tasks once they have completed their own. This affects the business process in several ways – payment collection gets delayed, because ledgers didn’t get sent when customers asked for them, purchase orders may have not been received on time etc. Revenues get affected, operations and transactions get stagnant resulting in mayhem in management.This scenario can be totally avoided by the implementation of WhatsApp integrated to your ERP business software.

 It is undeniably the quickest and most widely used communication tool in the Indian business market. Now, the integration of ERP – the ultimate business automation software integrated with the quickest communication App together will create magic.

The way it works:-

Step1:    Through a downloadable connector, a whatsApp activation mechanism should be set.

Step 2:  Once activated, a QR Code scanner will open up in your ERP desktop.

Step 3:  The QR Code can be scanned using WhatsApp on your phone.

Step 4:  This will allow you to use WhatsApp to send messages and documents directly from   your ERP

 

2.Innovative Mobile Apps –

An ERP software in your pocket is not just an innovation but an absolute necessity. Manufacturing businesses today require an intelligent and responsive mobile-enabled ERP solution to respond and resolve any issue to sustain competition and be easily reachable. This would further aid your entire supply chain to adapt instantly to sidestep any obstacles or adapt to potential requirements. 

 

Mobile Apps that are available for Expand ERP licensed users are:

1. Remote HR on your mobile – Register attendance and many more HR activities through Expand HR App.
2. Systematic Warehouse Management with Expand WMS- Track your Inventory with WMS integrated with Expand ERP Android App available at our Playstore. 
3. Online Lead generation with Expand Sales – A multi-feature ERP        application for Expand users managing business on-the-go. 
4. Remote Task Management with Expand Service – Manage your    to-do-list and miscellaneous tasks from a single multi feature App.
5. Document management with Expand File Attachment  – Affix all important documents with Expand File Attachment integrated in Android mobile App 

3.Lead Management  – 

It is imperative to manage leads and sales of your business diligently for ultimate growth and ROI. Without customers there is no business and without business an organisation is dead, no matter how organised or good the product is. Taking control of your sales process, reaching out to leads at the right time and converting them into actual opportunities by staying focused on your best deals will ensure an edge above in the competitive market. To add to your efficiency an intuitive Sales and Lead management software like Expand ERP software helps you sell smarter. 

Leads Management module of Expand ERP software allows you to monitor and optimize every interaction. Not only does an automated sales management system provide easy tracking of information,  it also automates repetitive tasks so that efficiency and productivity can be significantly improved.

 

4.Third party marketplace integrations – 

Expand ERP is fully integrated with ecommerce systems such as Magento, Shopify, eBay, Amazon. Future-ready solutions packed with features offer customers modern, practical and convenient solutions. From real-time inventory information, personalized service, and multiple self-service options, to compatibility with different platforms and devices, the solution has all that it takes to offer a truly omnichannel experience. Highly secure payment gateways, advanced back end workflows, and a whole range of tools help customize modules for superior results.

 

5.Logistics –

Warehouse automation software of Expand ERP  comes with pre-integrated shipment partners. You can choose the desired logistics partner and assign the delivery of orders.There is no need for more hunting for shipment partners, negotiations and following up. With one click you can assign the order shipment and track it.

As we all know that the shipping and logistics industry is one of the largest growing industries in the world & over 90% of transportation and trade is carried via shipping and logistics. Without shipping and logistics, import & export of bulk goods & amenities across the world would not be possible.Expand ERP has partnered with Blue dart and Shiprocket for the logistics and shipment to make it easier for your export company to deliver products hasslefree.

 

6.Easy Payment Gateway – 

Like all modern online marketplaces for eCommerce business, Expand ERPs shopping cart is readily integrated with payment gateways like Paytm and Cash Free for easy payments and reliable money transactions. By partnering with third party integrations, it makes it easier for you and your customers to carry out monetary transactions with ease and faster. 

Running your business on the go makes business much simpler and provides time for you to focus on how to take your business to the next level. With all the above functionalities integrated in a single ERP software, Expand ERP surely delivers what it promises.

 

1.The New Era of Cashless, Invisible Payments

• As a result of the growing digital payment infrastructure brought on by the pandemic,payments will continue to clear and settle fast in 2021 and become more embedded in businesses. This will make the process of initiating payments faster and easier for end customers, predicted Scott Johnson, head of product at Western Union Business Solutions.In the not-so-distant future, everyday Internet of Things (IoT) devices will become the new payment portal, making it possible for smart appliances and wearables to complete purchases. As technology becomes more sophisticated, and society continues to bring smart devices into their homes, these ‘invisible payments’ will become more mainstream, while physical payment methods become relics of the past.

 

2.Consumers Becoming More Tolerant of Chatbots for Certain Tasks

If you want to offer more efficient customer services, consider conversational bots instead of a roomful of human company reps. Chatbots could be a better solution to engaging clients and relating to customers.It is said,chatbots will transform the way businesses schedule appointments, consumers check their bank accounts, and shoppers even just order a pizza. But just how accepting consumers will get with chatbots is a subject of intensive research as marketers seek the best paths to integrate chatbots into the business process.These conversational software applications, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated into e-commerce and customer-facing websites, have the potential for improving information gathering and customer service tasks, as well as providing better tools for handling e-commerce and customer relations management.

 

• Patron’s Note:
• “I had a great time learning and using the Expand smERP. System was feature rich and easy to learn. Reports were easy to generate and analyse.

 

• ”By a student of IISWBM

You can get the latest updates of production on your mobile with Expand ERP mobile-enabled software.

Founder’s Note:

Dear Patrons,

 

The Yuletide spirit is in the air. The festive season is around the corner, as the world awaits with open arms – a new beginning, a fresh ethos, a New Year. This year has been a roller coaster ride for most with unprecedented events hovering our lives. The feeling of positivity marks the end of uncertainty and the beginning of resurrection.

 

Team Expand has been successful in sailing through such challenges. We feel pride in declaring that we have been part of the success journey of many of our patrons who continued performing in spite of the pan India economic turmoil. This surely marks our journey to success.

We are happy to announce the launch of our new sub-brand ‘Omnimarc’ for unique ERP solutions for the Omni commerce industry. It is the most powerful and comprehensive Cloud software built for enterprising business owners who want to sell through all the methods like the marketplace, own online shops, retail stores and distributors.

We believe in our mission to provide the best in class technology and ERP solutions to midsized businesses in the manufacturing sector and promise to continue to keep up to the expectations of our prized patrons.

 

Seasons Greetings!

Vineet Bansal

CEO eDominer Technologies (P) Ltd.

Every industry has uniquely specific requirements. The daily operations are starkly different from each other. Therefore the ERP solutions need to be specifically created specifically to each industry.

 

It is imperative that a ‘one size fits all’ solutions, easily available at a cheap price in the market is more attractive to consumers. However, it is essential to understand how important it is to have an industry-specific best fit ERP software for your unique business to achieve desired goals.

 

Traditionally, ERP technology was created with basic functionalities and features common to a wide range of industries. During the actual implementation process, IT consultants would conduct a detailed system study to determine the customized solution based on a client’s precise requirements. This was very time consuming and complicated. Implementing a generic ERP was a massive undertaking that most companies had to plan many years in advance, especially with regards to time and budgets.

 

As technology has evolved, ERP companies now create software that specifically matches exact industries, saving both valuable time and money. ERP software that has been developed specifically for your industry can handle all of your business processes with minimal to no customization resulting in minimising cost, effort and time.

 

Expand smERP is India’s best fit smart ERP software on the cloud for mid-sized manufacturers in the Export and Retail industry. We have worked closely for industries like the Chemical Industry, Textile Industry, Food and Beverage Industry, Handicraft Industry, Iron and Steel industry, Book publishing industry, Cotton industry and Electronics Industry.

Benefits of having an industry-specific ERP implementation:

 

• Minimal implementation time – As the primary features of your  business are already available, you can conduct the implementation process in a minimal amount of time. An industry-specific ERP will also be aware of necessary integrations and API connections to other key software. These ready-made connections will further reduce implementation time.

 

• Reduced implementation cost – Customizing a generic solution can consume more time and result in higher implementation fees. You can dramatically reduce these costs with an industry-specific solution.

 

• Lower maintenance costs –  Domain expertise in your particular industry can help ERP solutions providers more easily identify any issues, bottlenecks, errors and other problems, and also provide quicker resolutions.

 

Expand smERP provides the best fit smart ERP software on cloud for Industries like:

 

1) Chemical Industry – Unique features include

• Eases  legal bindings 
• Easily accommodates instructions for operations and technical sheets 
• Updates audit trails 

 

2) Textile Industry                

• Manages product stock in multiple UOM eg. meter to rolls for threads.
• Tracks production with ready list of entire process/stages
• Tracks alterations and rejections of materials

 

3) Handicraft Industry 

• Maintains inventory with complete information and attributes like materials, seasons, fair details, dimensions, colours, barcodes etc
• Easy and simple daily production entries 
• Tracks materials and outputs from contractors to identify outstanding

 

4) Iron and Steel industry 

• Transforms unstructured processes into routine transactions 
• It can replace or reduce the human labour involved in processes.
•  It can help manufacturing companies in carrying out analysis such as: Forecasting of market demand based on statistical models; Capturing of hidden market trends through multi-dimensional analysis; Identification of potential improvement areas.

 

5) Book Publishing industry

• Manages subscriptions – subscriptions is a very important revenue generator for any publishing company. Your ERP will send reminders for renewals and manage a list of old/new subscribers with a smart record-keeping software.
• Optimum Supply Chain Management – SCM improves with full control over inventory.
• Reduces manual work of data entry.

 

6) Cotton Industry 

• Improves material quality by taking care of compliances, inspection and analysis systems.
• Efficiency in the production cycle – ERP manages your production cycle including capacity observation, planning raw material obtaining etc.
• Inventory module improvises material planning and maintains records of previous sales, quality in hand and backorder quantity etc.

 

7) Electronics Industry 

•  Automation – automates material billing, vendor list, orders and other core manufacturing processes to help curb errors in production and inefficiencies in data handling.
• Manages intricate supply chain – by providing   real-time communication through a unified ERP solution and boosts visibility, operational excellence and productivity.
• Improves traceability – automatically tracks product codes and availability against the raised orders. 

 

8) Food and Beverage industry

• It enables business owners to acquire visibility, insight and control over their complete operations. 
• Optimizes the production process, simplifies procurement as well as inventory management.

 

Thus we see that each and every industry has its own set of challenges and needs to counter with a Cloud ERP system that fits in best. Expand ERP is India’s best fit ERP software for mid-sized manufacturers in the export and retail sector.

Planning for an ERP implementation in the near future? Are you worried about rising costs? Are you unsure about what is the best fit ERP software for your company? 

 

If these are the thoughts pondering on your mind right now, this article will bring you the solutions for every query that you have.

 

An ERP software implementation surely comes with a lot of challenges, even though its benefits are manifold. In the next few years, your business value will reach new heights and touch new shores of expansion, with a successful and best fit ERP software integration. With prior knowledge of the challenges and bottlenecks, you can be better prepared to counter any such obstacles with ease. 

 

 

1)Inaccurate Requirement Analysis

ERP implementations in most cases fail because of inaccurate requirement analysis. One needs to know the difference when an ERP application is integrated with an e-commerce site and a POS software. However, in most companies requirement analysis is done by employees with limited knowledge of ERP implementation. Primary emphasis is laid upon the cost and faster execution. But unfortunately, the project fails in most cases as the requirement is not completely understood in the chaos of bargaining with the costs with the vendor. To have more clarity on ERP implementation, case to case differences, actual time and money to be invested, involving people with good knowledge on ERP is a must. Team Expand understands your business well with over 16 years of extensive market research and development in the industry. Our team understands and analyses the specific challenges and needs faced by your business and then curates the software accordingly.

 

2) Inadequate  Training

Following closely on the lines of the previous challenge discussed, lack of knowledge continues to be a hurdle for a successful ERP implementation. When your company is preparing for a major data transfer from the legacy system to a new ERP reality, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the changes that are taking place, the new interface, and risks or losses involved in the process. You may arrange for a brief knowledge transfer session for all employees or anybody who would be part of the new system before the actual change takes place. Not an elaborate training program followed by a test, but a simple 45-minute session by the knowledgeable resources, for all to attend. Training videos of the same may also be circulated. Expand smERP offers complete training of users post-implementation within 50 hours by trained technicians and constant support even after implementation.

Expand smERP encourages constant help and support of employees of any business. Post implementation Expand Sure smile provides 24×7 customer support and user training for proper knowledge of the usage of the software.

 

3) Inefficient Project Management:

You should have the right resources in your team for customer success. We need to understand their worth and utilize their full knowledge and potential for efficient project management. Trust them, mentor them, train them and let them come up with a full-proof project management plan that will not only ensure a successful ERP implementation but also derive desired ROI  for your business. Only with meticulous project management, one can achieve that, no amount of cost-cutting or package deals help.

 

4) Customization:

ERP software is often misunderstood as a wholesale package solution for a company. But unfortunately, it is not. ERP applications are actually a framework with which a customized solution is built. This means, your requirements have to be defined well in advance and accordingly a customized ERP solution will be created. For that, you need to define the workflows and do a capability analysis, beforehand. You might have to make a few minor adjustments in the application solution to meet all your enterprise needs. These adjustments or modifications differ from suite to suite and might be required at the beginning or sometime in the middle of implementation. If you are prepared for capacity planning, delays in implementation and time loss because of system outage may be kept at bay. It is advisable to invest in a best fit ERP software that suits all the unique needs of your business. A ‘one size fits all’ ERP system is most likely to fail.

Expand smERP is a best fit ERP solution for mid-sized manufacturers in export and retail industries. It is industry-specific and fits in according to your specific business needs. ERP is known to grow along with your business.

 

5) Rising Operational Expenses:

Overhead cost is one of the biggest challenges of ERP implementation. The initial cost of implementation is high, but the customization and maintenance costs are even higher. The more customization needs are, the higher are operating costs. Maintenance costs are of course a necessary evil, which cannot be brushed aside. However, with an efficient requirement analysis and resource planning, much of this cost may be brought under control. Sit with the best-qualified professionals in the organization to find out what you really need for enhancing your business value. Seek for features that will add value to your product or service, attract more business, and position you better as an entrepreneur. That way, you will get the true value for your best fit ERP solution without spending a huge amount. Expand smERP cloud software involves zero upfront costs. Only a concurrent user price is payable as per your usage. Investing in Expand ERP cloud software is a value for money solution that derives fast ROI.

 

These are certain generic challenges while implementing an ERP software. Depending on the sector in which the company operates in, the extent of complications may vary. This will ensure the implementation process is smooth without any glitches. Team Expand assures you a hassle-free cloud ERP software integration experience with the utmost ease. Grow your business with Expand smERP cloud softwares.

1)Clickwrap Technology Brings Speed, Efficiency to Digital Transactions

 

With the holidays approaching and the pandemic surging, clickwrap transaction platforms (CTPs) are emerging as a valuable tool to help businesses navigate the increased volume of online transactions.

CTPs help companies secure transactions that are or have moved, online. These business transactions are purpose-built for high volumes of agreements. Clickwrap transactions replace electronic signatures and provide an archived digital record of online interaction.

Instead of signing, the user clicks to check a box, or clicks on a button with a label such as ‘I Agree’ or ‘Accept’. That action authorizes the included consent language.

 

2)The rise of mobile shopping apps or m-commerce apps.

 

Mobile shopping apps have in the midst of the pandemic become central to online retail operations, and they’re clearly here to stay. In fact, by 2021 mobile e-commerce, or m-commerce, sales are expected to account for 54 per cent of all retail e-commerce sales.

M-commerce specialists find out what’s behind the rapid growth of consumers shopping on mobile devices, what mobile shoppers require from shopping apps, and how retailers can provide a better experience for their customers who use mobile devices. Much like a physical store where consumers can experience a shopping environment that’s created for physical discovery, shopping apps can have the same experiential effect, with the added value of convenience to experience it anytime and anywhere.

Expand Omnimarc is the best in class multi-channel sales software for order processing, warehousing and integrated online POS.

Founder’s Note:

Dear Patrons,

 

The beauty of Indian festivals and culture is that it brings in light and hope for a brighter tomorrow. All grudges, worries and fears are kept aside during festivities as we are all engrossed in the celebrations with our loved ones. Diwali came to illuminate our households and also our minds and wiped most of our woes and rejuvenated us to start afresh. 

But among all these merriment we still have to keep our guards on against the deadly virus.

Also, we need to protect our businesses. ERP systems are the lifeblood of most modern businesses, because of their ability to bridge multiple processes and operations.

The systems also contain confidential data about your company, its clients, and vendors. Industry experts opine that ERP systems are susceptible to cyber-attacks. Hackers are aware of the fact that these systems contain valuable data. In this edition of Expand Express, we have gathered useful information for you to counter cyber threats with our ERP solution. Further, online selling and eCommerce businesses are in high demand in present times. My team has curated an article on how the best fit ERP software aids to build your eCommerce business with ease.

I truly believe that the newsletter will give you an insight and change your perceptions towards carrying out your business successfully. My sincere good wishes to you and your family.

 

Warm regards

Vineet Bansal

CEO, eDominer Technologies

Like any situation in life comes with pros and cons, adopting to digitisation has its own share of threats to entrepreneurs.

 

Similar to any other space in life, technology has its own benefits and challenges. While it enhances a man’s life in almost all the aspects whether its health care, transport, communication, smart cities etc. There are myriad challenges which we also need to keep in mind  to not turn technology into our own enemy.

 

Amongst the most challenging threats of technology, cybercrime tops the list where danger is concerned. Cybercriminals have always abused technology and control devices for propelling cyber-crimes such as frauds and thefts. With technology protocols, still being developed and evolving at a gradual pace, it is very difficult to avoid such cyber-attacks.

 

Few challenges that  technology faces in cybersecurity are the following:

 

• Digital Data theft Threat: The growing online transactions generate bigger incentives for cybercriminals. Besides, establishments looking to mine data—for instance, customer information, results of product surveys, and generic market information—create treasured intellectual property that is in itself an attractive target.

 

• Supply Chain Inter-connection: The supply chains are increasingly interconnected. Companies are urging vendors and customers to join their networks. This makes a company’s security wall thin.

 

• Hacking: This action is penetrating into someone’s system in an unauthorized fashion to steal or destroy data, which has grown hundredfold in the past few years. The availability of information online makes it easier for even non-technical people to perform hacking.

 

• Phishing: The easiest to execute and produce the results with very little effort. It is the practice of sending out fake emails, text messages and creating websites to look like they’re from authentic companies. Phishing is a major threat that can lead to fraud.

 

Solutions provided by Expand ERP  – India’s best fit ERP software for growth-oriented MSMEs who are looking at running their business completely online.

 

These challenges can be under surveillance and methodical steps can be taken to avoid such malpractices. To solve the data theft problem, online space must regulate the use of data and clearly indicate when the information will be shared provided by the users. The user can then choose to opt-out, leaving personal information restricted to space for which it was deliberated. 

 

When any software contains bugs or viruses, it is fairly easy for cybercriminals to gain personal information. Large technology firms should collaborate and create solutions to increase security for their customers. Security controls need to move outward, beginning at the application level where such frauds can be caught easily by an ERP software. When there are no unified monitoring methods, firms become vulnerable. However, when every network has monitoring that detects changes, data can be protected.

 

With cloud ERP  hovering our lives with all our data it is imperative to protect our cloud space. With growing technology, the growth of cybercrime is evident but measures taken early and effectively can avoid cyber mishaps both big and small. Expand ERP software is perfectly equipped to counter such threats and protect your business from cybercrime.

 

Expand ERP software is well aware of all the challenges faced by entrepreneurs while digitisation and promises to support and back up for any such crime that may take place in your company. We promise innovation with integration and intelligence.

 

Expand ERP offers Expand SureShield where you can enjoy 100% data security and grow your business with complete peace of mind. Data is on cloud, stored in multiple locations ensuring maximum safety with trusted technology platforms (Microsoft Azure, SQL Server). We provide 99.9% uptime and SSL (encrypted) Data Transmission.

“People don’t care about your business, they care about their problems. Be the solution that they are looking for.” – Melanie Dodaro

 

eCommerce has seen a growth equivalent of 10 years in a span of 3 months. The recent pandemic situation has escalated eCommerce business immensely.

 

Are you prepared to handle this kind of demand?

 

You’re probably not if you still have not integrated your eCommerce channels (Magento, Shopify, Amazon, etc) and your ERP system. In this post, we’ll talk about why companies shouldn’t forgo eCommerce ERP integration needed to truly optimize sales.

Here’s why you should Integrate your eCommerce and ERP

 

The need for eCommerce ERP integration is usually overlooked because of the perceptual high investment cost or the business disruption caused by having to change existing systems. This is an outdated perception as the costs become worth it when you see the impact on your operations and customer experience.

 

When we use the term eCommerce in this article, we’re talking about any channel that allows you to make online sales. This could even be your webstore run by Magento, Amazon or Shopify. ERP refers to a single robust system that helps you manage your business data or back-office operations with ease. 

 

Integrating your eCommerce sales channels with your ERP system allows you to operate more efficiently as a business. Your main types of data – order, inventory, item, customer, and shipping/tracking – are communicated in between independent systems.

Benefits of eCommerce ERP Integration

 

1. Reduces manual entry to save time and increases throughput while reducing errors, when entering an order, inventory, item, customer and shipping data
2. Streamlines inventory synchronization, tracks updates, and provides accurate inventory levels to customers, without hiring staff to manage these tasks
3. Automatically notifies customers when orders have been shipped and allow them to track the delivery of products
4. Simplifies how you manage price and product changes to inventory
5. Be flexible enough to add multiple online (web stores and marketplaces) and offline (brick & mortar) sales channels, without losing operational efficiency.
6. Meets tax requirements with automated tax compliances.
7. Handles increased demand for online orders without extra resources.

 

A Customised or best-fit eCommerce ERP Integration is what you need

 

It’s always possible to build your own custom integration between your online sales channels and your backend systems. To do so, you would need to work with the application program interfaces (APIs) available for your systems.  Your data needs to flow between your systems.

 

Therefore, customer integration can be complex and expensive. Customisation is usually the best approach for organizations who have the right resources and specific requirements to justify it. Most businesses though are probably not truly unique enough to really need to build this type of integration from scratch.

 

The best way to achieve eCommerce ERP integration is to use a multichannel management platform. This type of technology is usually cloud-based and provides a platform that sits as an operational hub between your ERP and eCommerce systems. Your main types of data are then synchronized between your systems.

 

Expand ERP is India’s best fit ERP software for mid-sized manufacturers in the retail industry. We offer the best in class technology for growth-oriented manufacturers who wish to take their companies to the next level. We provide an in house selling portal where the users can sell smartly directly or indirectly via Virtual Distribution Network through distributors. With the Expand Lead Management module, turning prospective leads into customers becomes a cakewalk. This feature is available on the ERP software and as a mobile app for Android users using Expand ERP software. The mobile Apps allows lead management remotely and enhances speed and customer experience. We also have ready integrations with Amazon, Shopify and Magento for selling wisely online through multi-channel locations. Reap the benefits of a best fit ERP solution along with eCommerce software in a single unified system. 

Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare

 

Microsoft’s new offering for hospitals is unique because it addresses a problem that IBM’s effort also surfaced: the lack of integration and interoperability between health data repositories.

 

With all of the effort to keep health data private, it still looks like it could be just as easy for bad actors to access your medical data as it is for you, or your doctor. Even the best AI can’t deal with data sources that won’t talk to each other or provide access to the AI tool. Microsoft’s Cloud for Healthcare focuses on fixing the data interoperability problem, which is perhaps Microsoft’s new best skill. Now Microsoft, like IBM which earlier made a similar flip, embraces concepts like Open Source and Linux — along with being an interoperability champion.

 

Zero in-store human interaction for shoppers

 

The rise in consumer adoption of e-commerce in the wake of the pandemic is pushing the rebirth of brick-and-mortar stores as potential bastions of interaction less in-store shopping that resembles an e-commerce experience. But these redesigns are not for all shoppers. Some prefer no brick-and-mortar shopping at all.

 

 Consumer reaction is pushing retailers to redesign physical stores. A survey disclosed that shoppers willing to return to physical storefronts want a completely human-free, contactless, shopping experience. More automation is on their demand list. Implementing systems that let stores meet consumer standards for convenience and safety from infections arguably help them stand out in a hyper-competitive brick-and-mortar marketplace.

 

These findings recommend big-box retailers restructure their traditional physical stores into warehouses and fulfilment centres. Those that do not take the lead and heed consumer wishes may not succeed in the new retail normal.

Patrons Note : 

Our satisfied patrons are our formula for success. Our strength lies in the empowerment of our clients. 

 

“Brilliant support, Brilliant implementation team. The software is very functional and customisable. I love being a part of Expand ERP.” 

 

Harsh Sarawgi

Director, Acuraventure

Expand Sure Shield protects 100 % of your data 24×7

Founder’s Note:

Dear Patron,

 

Amidst the chaos and paranoia over the past 6 months, it’s time we move on with positivity and welcome the new world with open arms that has changed immensely.The magnitude and speed of collapse in activity that had followed was unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes. However, keeping the socio economic downturn in mind, business surely needs our attention. Going on to the good news is that the economy is regaining and as per experts it will take a big leap in a very short span of time. Taking proactive measures and prepping our business and employees is a challenging but essential task at the moment.

Hence, digitally equipping your business is the need of the hour. Once your daily operational processes are looked into by a best fit ERP solution, your skilled workers are free to focus on larger goals and increase productivity.

According to the Health minister, vaccines are expected early next year, from more than a single source to immune at least 25 crores within the first half of the year. This shows a ray of hope for all of us to survive this tough time. With endurance, we can all unanimously join hands to heal the world and it’s people with positive vibes. In this newsletter, I will be enlisting smart ways to protect your workers who need your support the most.

 

My sincere warm wishes with you and your family through these tough times.

 

Vineet Bansal

eDominer Technologies, CEO

“To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace.”

– Doug Conant

MSMEs play a key role in national economies around the world, generating employment and value-added services. They contribute to more than half of employment and GDP in our country irrespective of income levels. In addition, SME development contributes to economic diversification and resilience. 

 

Noting that India has been one of the fastest-growing large economies in recent times, has led to the improvement in reducing poverty and improvements in living standards. It is believed, recent reforms, particularly the implementation of GST, national goods and services tax, should help boost efficiency and productivity and overtime will contribute to help them create jobs in the formal sector. 

 

But the sudden jolt inflicted by the pandemic has curbed the growth trajectory of Indian SMEs and also the traditional way of doing business. The whole world as it was, abruptly changed to a new normal. For many, working from home was a complete novelty. Being suddenly excluded from the corporate environment presented them with big challenges, both technical and personal. Organizations trying to facilitate this surge of remote working faced their own challenges to equip and train their people in the face of big changes that were sometimes mandated overnight.

 

Our customers were able to meet these challenges with us at their side, partnering with them to find a way to keep them operating and taking care of their own responsibilities and customers. Digital services are at the core of how we help enable our customers to ensure they have a reactive and resilient business. Big changes happened during the crisis, and much more evolution in the way we work can be expected.

 

Mindful that there could be future disruption from lockdowns or other restrictions, businesses are keen to continue to improve their collaboration tools. Cloud platforms and networks work hand in hand with collaboration tools and remote working, and most of our existing clients recognize improving cloud and network capabilities as one of their top new priorities.

 

In Expand ERP, we are proud to be able to have supported the maximum of our clients and made new ones during these extraordinary trying times.

 

It is said that a crisis brings people together, and we can bear testimony that it surely does with business as well. Most of the SMEs feel that supporting them with digital solutions is a must to overcome the business challenges in a future that is still full of unknowns. During the crisis, many of our customers have gained a stronger appreciation for the resilience of a digitally transformed business in the face of unforeseen obstacles. As a result, many of them are collaborating with us now to accelerate the digital transformation.

 

Safeguard your employee’s health first

 

Employers can take certain actions to make the workplace safer in businesses deemed essential during the coronavirus pandemic and in regions where companies are staying open.

 

 Here are 8 ways to protect employees.

 

1. Pay attention to public health officials and follow their guidance as it evolves and changes. Tell employees to stay at least six feet apart and to refrain from shaking hands. Workers should wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and avoid touching their faces. They should cough into tissues or their elbows.
2. Plan for remote work. Many offices have already moved to telework. 
3. Practice social distancing –  Groups of any size should consider meeting virtually or by phone, as opposed to in person,
4. For manufacturers, ensure that employees use a hospital-grade disinfectant when cleaning. They should clean all areas that are frequently used or touched, including restrooms, door handles, tools, time clocks and vending machines.Employees should wear protective gloves when cleaning and perhaps while working, depending on the job.
5. For retailers that remain open, put in place social distancing measures approved by the applicable state department of health. This may include temporary reductions in staffing, shortened hours of operation and limited in-store services.
6. Immediately send home employees who have symptoms of COVID-19. Likewise, employees who are well but who have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 should stay home.
7. Provide coronavirus-related information, but don’t overload workers with such communications. 

 

For millions of workers, no income means no food, no security and no future. As the pandemic and the jobs crisis evolve, the need to protect the most vulnerable becomes even more urgent.

 

The decisions taken today can provide immediate relief, but also secure a lasting economic recovery, increase community resilience and ensure a long-term pathway to sustainable development. We shouldn’t let this chance slip away. A kind gesture shown during a crisis is remembered lifelong by the vulnerable and needy.

How the best fit ERP can enhance business productivity while reducing manual labour?

“Our assets walk out of the door each evening. We have to make sure that they come back the next morning.” – Narayan Murthy

I would give more than half credit to the customers for the success of your business, as without buyers your business is stagnant, However a considerable percentile of the success also depends on your team of manforce especially if you are in the service or hand skilled industry. Without your workers your business means nothing. It is never possible to grow single handedly. It is certainly the result of good leadership and harmonious teamwork that a company reaches its goals.

 

 

As an entrepreneur, it is your prime focus to nurture and train a whole crew of skilled, honest, loyal and efficient workers, who in return will bring to you productivity and growth. To drive optimal efficiency and productivity, your workers need to be freed from the burden of daily operational activities. The intelligent use of Technology plays a vital role in the process. A robust, consolidated, conducive ERP software which fits best to the needs of your business uniquely, will act as a catalyst to success and growth.

 

 

Features of ERP that help a company improve the productivity of the workers

 

• Centralised systems:  In business, if information flow is decentralized, the decision-makers will have no idea of the whole picture at any point of time. With the use of an ERP, the reports and analysis of the company can be viewed with a single unified system.

 

• Share a central database:  Advanced ERP systems can work any database, any platform and with any operating system. Some databases are inter-related- for eg. employee data is shared by HR, Finance and administration but in ERP systems each division doesn’t maintain a list of employees but fetches it from the HR Department. Therefore, duplication of data is avoided. The central database enables economizing on database maintenance costs.

 

• It is user-friendly:  The system recognizes the importance of the most junior employee and they have a role as end-users. The company also needs the help of functional consultants who understands the various business processes with an organization – such as Finance, HR, Accounting, Inventory and help in the development of modules.

 

• Customizable and adaptable:  ERP system can be customized to the requirements of the company irrespective of the operating systems, database systems being used. ERP solutions are not for large organizations alone. It is now available for small and medium businesses too. Moreover, ERP systems can be implemented in a modular fashion which means huge upfront costs need not be incurred by an organization if it has financial constraints.

 

• Advantage of the cloud and mobility:  ERP cloud service providers enable full or partial storage of data, software and the platform to run it. This enables companies who have critical data that needs to be secure to be held in their own servers while getting more generic work done in the cloud platform. ERP systems are also deployable on the mobile, so that salesmen, marketing executives can update information in real-time enabling quicker response from the decision-makers in the corporate headquarters. 

 

• All stakeholders feel the difference with ERP:  The use of ERP systems not only benefits the employees and the organization but also the consumers.  These days, organisations value customer loyalty and most often they just need to tell their mobile number to get loyalty bonus, get billed quicker at the retail store and stay informed about discounts and offers of the company.

 

• Improves efficiency across departments:  As ERP integrates each department into a central database, finance, marketing, manufacturing and inventory control improves. Data comes from sales, finance, and various business units with different sets of numbers, ERP integrates them giving a snapshot for the CEO to assess. 

 

 

• ERP is known to give positive ROI in a year:  The implementation of ERP may take one to three years in a conventional scenario but with Cloud computing  the time frame has come down. According to surveys, companies which were focussed on return on investment (ROI) at the beginning of the ERP implementation could see significant results happening after a year. It could be in the form of cost reductions, quality improvements, customer satisfaction, reduced employee count, redeployment and improved market share.

 

Thus, by looking into all the daily operational processes, a best fit ERP software manages your company efficiently and accurately making it possible to achieve desired goals. The skilled workers of your team can easily focus on further sensitive and analytic issues regarding the growth of the company.ployment, and improved market share.

1. HP Takes Us One Step Closer to a Virtual Tomorrow

 

HP Omnicept: Last week HP announced HP Omnicept, which is a solution that begins with a special headset. Omnicept provides the critical elements needed to create a virtual meeting room and lays a foundation for creating a virtual world where many of us could eventually spend much of our time. HP has modified its latest second generation reverb headset, the G2, to add some critical features — starting with the headset.
These same tools could create virtual meeting spaces where users with headsets like the HP Reverb Omnicept could identify users with biometric markers and log them into the virtual meeting room.

2. Apple unveils its new iPhones, the first handsets in the world to be powered by a new type of chip.

The new iPhone will edit 4K video, enhance high-resolution photos and play graphically-intensive video games more smoothly than was possible before while using less battery power.
The “five-nanometre process” involved refers to the fact that the chip’s transistors have been shrunk down – the tiny on-off switches are now only about 25 atoms wide – allowing billions more to be packed in. Effectively it means more brainpower.

Patrons Note :

We are proud to be associated with several successful companies during their upward journey. One of our better known clients said …

 

“eDominer’s Expand ERP – We have been using this solution from past more than one year without any major issues.. The solutions is really good as per our requirements.. Team Expand is really co-operative.. They always respond quickly to any problem and resolve immediately with in 24 hours.. We have good experience using this ERP Solutions.”

 

Vaneet Batish

Vice Preident – IT

Balaji Chem Solutions Pvt. Ltd.