Low productivity is seen as a consistent issue for Kiwi businesses, remaining low despite good economic growth and low unemployment rates. Governments have been concerned about this productivity paradox, with the last government setting up a productivity commission, and the current administration recently announcing a new industry policy to lift productivity.
“The flipside of the impact of the technological revolution on the future of work is the huge potential it opens up for businesses and the development of high-skilled, higher paying jobs,” Acting Economic Development Minister David Parker said when announcing the policy.
While governments try broad strategies for improving productivity, many of us as business owners are working out ways to use technology to improve the efficiency of our firm’s output. Applying cloud-based ERP is one way to make productivity gains.
For example, if a SME is growing beyond its systems, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an option to them through cloud-based ERP, and provides a pathway to combining multiple disconnected systems into one.
Many New Zealand businesses and organisations are actively looking at expanding their business functionality to cater for the growing demands of their customers. And they’re looking at what business software – particularly ERP – can do to helping them become more efficient and responsive to customer needs, as well as streamlining business processes.
There’s little question that New Zealand businesses need to harness available technology, because continual increased efficiency is quickly becoming a cornerstone of their performance. To stand out from the competition, businesses need to make every minute count and every customer engagement shine.
Then there’s the challenge of project management. Too many New Zealand businesses are losing money through poor project management, so increasing efficiency in this area is essential for productivity and growth.
Business owners who have grown the business from the ground up know their customers and vendors, and are still involved in day-to-day operations. But as the company grows, the more complex the business processes become. So the question that many business owners and organisations are asking themselves is: should I look at moving to Business Central? Is it a good fit for me, and vice versa?
You’ll already know that running a business means continually facing challenges to keep the trains running on time as well as boosting the bottom line. Ask yourself the following:
- Is your business growing beyond its systems?
- Is that great little online accounting system now hampering your complete picture across finance, operations and sales?
- Are you struggling with a legacy ERP system?
- Do you need to improve your project management processes?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any or all of the above, then Business Central could well be the solution you’re looking for.
Business Central integrates with other cloud business software services – such as Office 365 – to help businesses streamline tasks and processes and reduce complexity. The whole idea is to help you and your staff better manage areas of sales, finance, operations and customer service – in other words, the backbone of your business.
When it comes to project management, having all your projects in one centralised system means you’re not constantly having to toggle between differing standalone applications. It cuts down on confusion and reduces errors, as well as creating more streamline processes. This is a big plus for project management, when many areas need to be working together to drive the project forward.
Business Central is Microsoft’s path forward for fully integrated enterprise software applications. Significant and unparalleled levels of research and development ensure your investment in applications can serve your business now and into the future, with no risk of outgrowing your applications or having to start again down the track.
To find out more about Business Central and other Microsoft ERP offerings, check out our new eBook, NAVigating the future of Microsoft ERPs
