KriyaGo - Blog #erp implementation

How To Select The Right Real Estate ERP Software?

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

ERP is a proven tool to manage your business proficiently. 95% of businesses that implement an ERP experiences improvements in business processes. In addition, 82% of companies that use an ERP generated expected ROIs within desired timelines.

As a result, an ERP is a great investment for any business, especially real estate agencies. However, how do you select the right real estate ERP for your business?

What factors should you consider?

Let’s find out!

Establish Your Needs to Choose the Right ERP

ERPs come with a range of varying features that differ based on industries. Therefore, you should select an ERP that is designed for the real estate industry.

In addition, go for a tool that aligns with your real estate sector. For example, construction businesses will need an ERP that lets them plan and manage projects.

On the other hand, agencies in commercial real estate will have different needs. You may want a solution that helps you manage all your properties from a single interface.

Therefore, consider your business and operations to choose the right ERP.

In addition, establish what you want out of your software. Or, determine the tasks or goals you want to achieve with your software. You can then decide the features you need in your software and choose the right option accordingly.

For example, you may want to rely on your ERP for:

Managing inventory
Create a single database of all your properties
Manage, sort, and report on finances

Automation of pre-sale process, like email replies

Look for High Customizability

Around 50% of all ERP implementations fail at the first attempt. One of the biggest reasons for the failures is the inability to tailor a solution based on your needs.

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing an ERP. That’s why we recommended determining your needs in the first step.

However, there is another step you need to ensure to make your implementation successful. Look for an ERP that you will be able to customize based on your unique business needs.

Otherwise, you will be left to use a solution designed with someone else in mind.

The best way to get past this challenge is to talk with your software provider. Tell them your needs and see if they can tailor their offering to meet your circumstances.

Focus on User Experience

Not all ERPs are made the same. Some are simple, easy to navigate, and let you focus on what’s important.

On the other hand, you may come across ERPs that make your life unpleasant. The problem is more common than you think, with user experience being among the top areas an ERP falls short.

As a result, it is necessary to select a solution that is easy to use. However, the management should not be the only one to make the decision.

Your employees are going to use the software after all; so, you should gather their feedback before making the final call.

Get a few employees to test the trial version or demo of the ERP you want to choose. You can then find out how good or bad the user experience is in a jiffy.

Additionally, you can research reviews of the software for more information.

Look for a Mobile-Friendly Real Estate ERP

60% of employees today use mobile apps to work productively. In addition, 21% of workers rely on department-specific apps to get tasks done.

The trend is pretty prevalent in real estate where you need to send employees to the field. From property managers to sales reps, most workers use their phones to work on the go.

As a result, your ERP should come with a mobile extension to facilitate work. It will allow your employees to work from outside the office and boost efficiency.

Best of all, you can even improve employee productivity by 34%. It will help you enjoy more returns from your investment along with your regular ROI.

However, ensure that the ERP you choose has strong security. It should be able to secure users, data, and processes without any exception.

Make Sure Your ERP is Interoperable

Real estate agencies use a range of tools to manage day-to-day operations. You may use a real estate project management tool to stay on track of your projects. In addition, you may rely on accounting software or expense management tools to manage your finances.

Some agencies may even use an CRM to boost leads and handle customers.

However, most of these tools are not interconnected. Adding a new ERP to the system, therefore, will not add much holistic value.

For that, you need to connect all your disparate real estate tools. As a result, look for an ERP that you can easily integrate with your existing apps.

You will be able to achieve seamless exchange of data and open the doors for new possibilities. In addition, you will be able to gain complete visibility across your business processes.

Choose a Real Estate ERP with Dedicated Support

We saw how more than half of all ERP implementations fail. Users also experience issues with usability and operational disruption.

As a result, it is better to be cautious and go for an ERP that comes with dedicated support. This is more important when you don’t have enough technical expertise in-house. You will need someone to resolve your queries and find your way around the new product.

Therefore, never select an ERP that has a questionable support team. You can always get in touch with your vendor and ask a few questions to test the support quality.

Final Thoughts

A real estate ERP is a great investment to streamline operations and boost productivity. There are several quality options in the market that you can choose based on your needs. For example, MiCasa is an apt ERP for real estate agencies looking to improve efficiency. It comes with all the vital features to grow your business and stay in control. In addition, you can be sure of ongoing support for your complete peace of mind.

Busting 9 Common Myths About ERP Integrations

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:00:11 -0400

ERP software is a fast-growing technology trend among companies. Nearly 50% of companies have implemented ERP to automate business processes. These systems have various benefits like better business efficiency, cost savings, and task management. Yet, some companies are skeptical about implementing ERP.

The main reason for this is the lack of knowledge of what ERP is and how it can help the company. Moreover, certain misconceptions restrict these companies from leveraging the benefits of ERP solutions.

To clear some of these doubts, we have busted the top myths related to ERP software and integrations.

1. ERP is not for small businesses

In today’s world, ERP systems are available for a variety of industries and processes. The objective of ERP is to reduce inefficiencies by automating as many business processes as possible. No matter the size, every business has to take care of financial, managerial, and sales processes. Depending on your requirements, ERP software can be customized and scaled.

There are specific systems meant for large companies while others are meant for smaller businesses. By implementing the right ERP system, every business can leverage its benefits, irrespective of the size. In fact, 65% of small businesses are already taking advantage of ERP systems.

2. ERP systems take a long time to implement

Earlier, complex systems required a long time for implementation. But cloud technology has made ERP systems easy both for implementation and learning. The systems have also been improved and a complete setup is possible within a reasonable time.

If you want to hire an internal team for setting up and operating ERP, it will take additional time to train them. Instead, you can choose an outsourcing company that can help you with ERP implementation and maintenance. They have pre-trained staff who can save your time and make the process more efficient.

3. ERPs only benefit the internal processes of the company

Most companies use ERP for accounting, inventory and distribution, and CRM. While ERP automates internal processes, it also benefits the company as a whole. It can influence employees, investors, and even customers. ERP systems that have integrated CRM make customer management easier. The processes are faster, accurate, and efficient, building the brand image of the company. This attracts both customers as well as investors.

By using data from ERP, you can also get insights into new business opportunities and increase your customer base. By making optimal use of the system, every member of the business is benefitted.

4. ERP systems are expensive

This myth might have some basis in the ERP systems of the past. But with more small businesses implementing ERP, the software has become more affordable to meet their demands. Since most systems are designed for specific business processes, companies only need to pay for what they choose. Even though high-end solutions may be expensive, they still have a high return on investment.

5. ERP and CRM software are the same

This is one of the biggest myths in this industry. While a business requires both ERP and CRM, both differ a lot in features and functions. ERP can automate a variety of functions like bookkeeping, accounting, sales, and management. CRM is a module of ERP which manages customer data for sales and services.

According to a survey by SelectHub, 33% of companies used ERP software for customer relationship management. Even though both are similar, using CRM as a replacement for ERP is not sufficient. What companies actually require is an integrated platform that handles multiple business functions including CRM.

6. ERP systems restrict the working process

ERP systems do not have a one-way process. Instead, they improve the pre-established business processes through automation. Though they introduce standardization and simplify most business aspects, they do not restrict the workflow. The users decide up to what extent ERP systems will be implemented. Nowadays, ERP systems have become so versatile that they can be customized for any type of business. For example, depending on your real estate portfolio, separate ERP systems can be developed for commercial and residential property management.

Many property managers do not like automation as they think it replaces their traditional processes. But ERP is not mere automation. It is the combination of traditional methods and technology.

7. Implementing ERP is a one-time process

Setting up the system might be a one-time process. But ERP software requires continuous updates according to the market trends. As technology changes, the company also adds new features to the software. If your business has grown or introduced a new product, your ERP software will also need the necessary features. Even if nothing has changed and your ERP software is doing well, the system requires regular check-ups to avoid any further challenges.

8. ERP gives immediate benefits

It is also wrong to assume that once you have installed ERP, you will immediately reap benefits. Even after implementation, ERP systems show visible results only after a few days or months. This is usually because employees take a while to get used to the new software. According to the functions and features, you might also need to streamline some business processes to suit the software.

9. All ERP outsourcing companies are the same

Not all ERP products and companies are the same. They differ in their features, functionality, and process. Some tools are better for accounting while others are good for CRM. The ideal ERP outsourcing company should be able to understand your requirements and suggest solutions accordingly. Do they have solutions for your industry? Are they updated? Do they provide after-sales support? As ERP implementation isn’t a one-time process, the vendor needs to provide you long-term support. By choosing the right outsourcing company, you can smoothly implement ERP for your business.

Implement the Right ERP Software with KriyaGo

KriyaGo helps clients automate their business processes by building the right ERP strategy for them. Whether it is software selection or integration, we can help you leverage the benefits of different platforms. With state-of-art software like Yardi, Procore, and SAP Concur, we have solutions for all property management functions. Our professional team can understand your requirements and provide unique insights through their extensive knowledge. Along with integration, we can also take care of support, data integration, and staff training.

For a complete ERP solution, reach out to KriyaGo!

Top Reasons Why ERP Integrations Fail

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 14:36:18 -0400

ERP systems integrate all business processes. However, companies choosing ERP have their share of doubts and questions. While ERP systems can streamline your business process, these projects do not come without challenges. Nearly 11% of ERP implementations fail to go live in the allotted time. A few of these failures are due to the software itself. But a majority of them are due to other avoidable reasons.

You can prevent these failures by taking the required steps. If you are considering ERP integration for your business, this article can help you identify the risks and also prevent them.

Common causes for ERP integration failure

Inadequate testing

Inadequate testing was one of the two significant problems noted during integration. Testing ensures that all data is accurate. While off-shelf ERPs are tested, customized ERPs usually lack rigorous testing.

And most testing is done under ideal conditions, which leads to ERP failure during stressful situations. A commonly known example is National Grid’s ERP implementation failure due to the lack of disaster testing.

What You Can Do: Test your software under various conditions, such as high volumes of data input and prolonged running.

Poor project planning and management

ERP integration projects contain several steps. Whether it is design, testing, or deployment, each step has some crucial tasks which need to be unified. To handle all these steps, you need an organized approach. Even if each step works individually, it may fail as a unified process. ERP projects can also fail due to lack of planning, inadequate management, or lack of coordination among various departments.

What You Can Do: Plan your integrations at the start and stick to the plan. Involve testing in each step and make sure you test the final project adequately.

Incorrect data import methods

If you are newly implementing ERP, you need to transfer all the old data into the new system. Often, migrating data from an outdated system has many challenges. For example, the older system might contain insufficient or bad data. Feeding this without proper conversion can lead to ERP failure. Therefore, every system requires specific procedures and lots of testing before data conversion is complete.

What You Can Do: Eliminate bad data from older systems. Change your data according to how it is utilized in the new system.

Not changing business processes

ERP integration is not just about the software. As a company, you need to adjust your business processes to include the new technology. Whether it is a different data entry method or a new procedure for managing finances, every employee should be aware of it. By resisting technology change, you won’t be able to reap all the benefits of the integration.

What You Can Do: Accommodate the software by changing certain business processes. Get the most out of your integration by building a business strategy around it.

Improper customization

ERP customizations require the right expertise. Many companies want customized software but are skeptical due to the risks involved. Improper customization can lead to data loss and software failure. You need to start with minor customizations and test them to look for errors. Customizing many things at once can break down your ERP systems.

What You Can Do: Hire professionals who can handle ERP customizations. A standard ERP may not have the required features. You need to be specific about your requirements so experts can plan the new features.

Lack of training

New software requires new skill sets. If you do not train your staff on using the integration, your integration will not achieve any results. From designers to deployers, you need to prepare everyone involved in the process. If inexperienced staff handle the software, it can make the integration appear “failed.”

What You Can Do: Involve your staff during software implementations. Make sure all of them understand how the software functions and how they can use it. Organize training sessions, so your employees get hands-on experience with the ERP software.

Impact of ERP failure

A single software failure can have irreparable consequences. We have seen top companies losing millions because of a faulty ERP integration. For your business, ERP failure can mean:

Loss of clients

Most companies use ERP software to deal with client data. Some companies also make digital products that they sell to clients. Your clients rely on you to provide them quality products or services. A single failure in such a product can cause a considerable loss to you and your client.

Cost of rectification

Rectifying ERP failures can cost much more than your decided budget. Determining the cause, remaking the strategy, and implementing the software again will also take a lot of time. This means more downtime and lesser revenue. Depending on the cause, you might also require restarting the whole implementation process.

Company reputation

A failed integration is a burden not just to you but also to your staff and clients. Rectifying the errors can take a while, so clients won’t be able to use your services. In addition, it can taint your company’s reputation due to inconvenience caused by the failure.

Despite all the risks, 95% of companies who opted for ERP implementation have seen business improvement. If done the right way, ERP implementations can be highly beneficial to your business.

A company specializing in software integration can help you avoid ERP failures by avoiding everyday challenges. They have the expertise and experience to build the right software integration for you.

Get reliable ERP integration through KriyaGo

Worried about ERP integration? Want the best integration services? Try KriyaGo!

We specialize in software integration for the real estate industry. Our services include software support, consultancy, and implementation. Many big and small enterprises are completely satisfied with KriyaGo’s software integration services. While the market has different software, we can help you customize them to suit your requirements.

At KriyaGo, we understand your company’s unique needs. If you require additional tools and features, we can integrate them for you! You can get the advantages of multiple property management systems such as Yardi, Procore and SAP concur - all in a single platform!

Book your free consultation to know more about our services!