The active decentralisation of workforces is something that has been gaining momentum in the past decade, and even more so recently. As technology and internet infrastructure has drastically improved so too has a businesses ability to empower their team to effectively work remotely.

A combination of technologies including video conferencing software, VOIP phone systems and cloud business management platforms like NetSuite gives businesses a unique advantage over competitors who are wedded to legacy on-premise systems and infrastructure that mandate the need for teams to work from a dedicated location.

While ‘work from home’ arrangements are becoming commonplace we are increasingly seeing organisations wanting to align their IT strategy in order to simplify network infrastructure and the efficiency and effectiveness of access to their key business systems, such as accounting, warehouse management and field service and mobility. Their goal is to maximise mobile access for their teams, minimise security risks and streamline the flow of information and data throughout their various business departments.

The Communication Revolution.

It is hard to believe that the first mainstream smartphone released to a mass-market occurred in 2007, just 12 short years ago. The Apple iPhone, which would go on to become the most popular smartphone device on the planet opened a world of opportunity by giving people access to business systems, such as email anywhere, anytime.

Shortly after, in 2008, HTC released their G1 model and in 2009, Samsung, the world’s now second-largest smartphone manufacturer came to market with their competitive offering the Samsung GT-I7500 Galaxy.

There’s An App For That.

By 2012, the smartphone race was on. With leading manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and HTC holding the majority of the market after investing billions of dollars in R&D to ensure that their latest release trumped other players.

One of the biggest revolutions in communications and devices is the concept of App Stores, which give people the ability to configure and expand the usefulness of their devices to their own needs.

Whether in business content, or private use, the smartphone changed people’s expectations of technology both at home and at work.

Mobility Madness

Between 2010 and 2020, we have seen a change in the way people interact with each other and access information.

In 2020, employees expect that will be able to be as connected to their companies, colleagues and key business systems, as they are in every other aspect of their lives.

Video conferencing software, such as Zoom, Skype and Teams are connecting colleagues and customers in ways I am sure no one ever imagined. Whilst for some businesses and individuals this has required a significant and pivot, for the majority these technologies had already been adopted in some way.

However, this is not as true when it comes to the average businesses key systems, such as accounting, warehouse management software or field service management software.

Cloud Technology, But Not As You Know It.

If you follow Klugo, you will probably have heard us talking about True Cloud and Fake Cloud Technology in the past and why it is imperative to understand the difference. We are dedicated to helping Aussie businesses transform their technology footprint by simplifying their multitude of disparate systems into a single business management platform, NetSuite.

True Cloud Systems, such as NetSuite and NextService offer our clients teams the ability to access their organisations unified software platform, anywhere, anytime on any device. More than that, however, because of the True Cloud nature of our solutions, they are able to access the system quickly and simply, without the need for complex infrastructures such as DaaS Solutions or Virtual/Remote Desktop technology.

Put simply, Hosted Cloud Technology adds complexity to a business’s IT Strategy. In addition to the work required to design, implement and keep software systems running, there is the added workload of ensuring that teams are able to log into your systems through complicated VPN’s and Portals as well as the burden of ensuring that relevant data is interfaced between systems in a timely and accurate manner.

Comparatively, Klugo’s NetSuite customers enjoy a much simpler experience and have been able to pivot very quickly when businesses requirements change, and we think that is powerful. The fact that NetSuite is a single true cloud platform, the need to manage hosting and access is eliminated and data does not need to be interfaced or uploaded to different systems, as it is a single software solution managing all aspects of financial and operational control.

In Summary

Modern businesses need modern technology in order to be agile and adapt in rapidly changing industries. If you are interested in learning how we are helping Australian Field Service Companies, Construction Service Providers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Retailers, and more modernise their system strategy, then reach out to one of our NetSuite experts.

Over the past few weeks, we have been speaking with our customers in order to understand how we can help them leverage the power of NetSuite to pivot quickly and get back to business. Through discussions with many business owners and C Levels, we are finding an interesting commonality in these conversations.

As leaders in their industries, our customers are looking at ways they can evaluate what in some cases has been decades of ‘business as usual’ and transform their strategies to make the most of the ‘new normal’.

1. Communication – Technology Supporting Collaboration Between Customers and Colleagues

It is no secret that at this point in time, Video Communication Platforms such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams are keeping the world turning. Both in business and in people’s homes, these cloud technologies are helping people connect, communicate and collaborate. Whilst this technology is not new, its place in everyday life has been hugely amplified and is making it easier for everyone to go about their work, education and personal lives.

This is largely possible due to the leaps and bounds we have made in recent years when it comes to internet speed and infrastructure and the lowering of costs to high-speed internet and data. In addition to this, the quality of camera lenses and the prevalence of video recording technology in most smart devices means that accessing this new communication channel is very much possible for the majority of people.

2. Travel – Risk vs Reward

At Klugo, travel is very common across our teams. From our Business Development Consultants who fly around Australia to conduct on-site discovery sessions and software demonstrations through to our NetSuite Consulting Team who regularly attend customer sites to run training sessions and provide Go Live support, travel is a part of the job.

Whilst face to face contact with our customers is highly beneficial, we have found that by changing our processes we have been able to maintain a high level of service and customer satisfaction.

Similarly, our customers in the interest of the safety of their team’s have welcomed the way we are currently delivering NetSuite implementations and appreciate that we are able to push forward despite the challenges.

3. Physical Presence and Productivity

Another common conversation item is the impact that a lack of physical presence of team members in their offices has had on their productivity and efficiency of communication. In most cases, our customers have reported that they were able to quickly mobilise a ‘work from home’ plan for any non-essential staff since NetSuite can be accessed anywhere, anytime on any device.

Whilst face to face contact is hugely important in building relationships and ensuring clarity during conversations many business owners are exploring the potential benefits of expanding their legacy ‘work from home’ policies such as a reduction in required office space, increase in productivity from team members and increase in their ability to support work-life balance.

We are excited to be able to help our customers get back control of their businesses very quickly, whether through new NetSuite module implementations, or custom development. If you are interested in learning how our team of NetSuite experts can help your business, feel free to reach out and discuss your requirements with one of our NetSuite professionals.

Choosing which software systems your company should invest in can be challenging. For many businesses knowing when to move to an ERP system can mean the difference between growing their businesses or getting throttled by software that no longer supports your team and your company.

For many businesses, moving to a Cloud ERP system is an excellent choice, as investing in modern technology gives the benefit of automation, live information and data as well as a single simplified system to manage all departments. There are only a handful of true cloud ERP’s on the market in 2019. By ‘true cloud’ we are referring to the technology that the software system is built on. Older ERP’s such as Epicor, Pronto and Microsoft Navision were designed to be installed as a single instance to a server located in your premises. To make these into “cloud” ERP’s they have simply connected them to a hosting server, which is good because you can access the software through a browser, but it is not a true multi-tenanted cloud solution, and users of these systems can expect to have the same issues that are created by on-premises technology. These main problems that are caused are:

1. Expensive and lengthy implementations.
2. Need for customisations that break when trying to upgrade.
3. Expensive report writing and customisation.
4. Poor performance as these systems are not designed to be delivered over a browser.
5. Dated database structures and functionality.

For a small business wanting to make the move to ERP, they should be considering the real impacts of this as they grow. What starts as small problems today can often turn into bigger problems in the future.

Why is ERP different?

A true cloud ERP, like NetSuite, gives businesses a single platform to manage their entire business. Sales and CRM, Accounting and Finance, Inventory and Warehouse Management, Manufacturing and MRP, Project Management, Workflows, Automation, Dashboards and Reporting. Everything a small business currently needs or will end up needing as they grow.

The good news is, that recently NetSuite has introduced a version of their ERP software called SuiteSuccess Starter Edition, which is designed for small businesses with less than ten users, who are wanting to upgrade from MYOB or Xero and move to a single business management platform.

ERP Software Myths

If you ask anyone who has used or implemented ERP software, you will find that there is a wide range of opinions. Over the years, many misconceptions and myths have come from people’s experiences with ERP software. What is important to understand is that not all ERP is equal. There are some excellent ERP systems in the market and some not so great ones. As a business owner, it is important that you evaluate several different options to ensure that you are choosing an ERP software that suits your businesses requirements.

Benefits of ERP

Now that we have clarified some common misconceptions about ERP systems and explained a little more about why Cloud ERP is different, we can move on to discuss the benefits and advantages that ERP offers users.

ERP systems are one of the most important assets for any business as they provide the foundation for managing your businesses data and operations and give your team the tools, they need to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.

A good ERP system will do five major things for you:

Fixed Monthly Cost for ERP

Most ERP systems now have a SaaS (Software as a service) pricing model, which means that you can plan and budget for the cost of your ERP with certainty. SaaS pricing also includes support and maintenance of the application, so you can be sure that as you grow, the only additional costs you need to worry about is adding more users when required.

Whilst ERP is a serious investment for a small or medium sized business, the benefits and ROI are definable. NetSuite for example, depending on the edition you subscribe to can cost as little as $1200 per month for a small to medium-sized business with under five users. The amount of resource time that a system like this saves is often the equivalent of 1-2 full-time administration resources, so when comparing the cost of additional salaries to the cost of a suitable ERP solution, it makes a lot of sense.

It is also important to note, that Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a single investment, rather than investing in a number of different ‘best of breed’ software packages and integrating them. When you choose a good ERP, the cost is fixed, there is no need for complex integrations, and you have the functionality to cover every department of your business. For anyone who is looking at investing in an ERP solution, it is a good exercise to detail how much you are spending currently on your IT strategy. Make sure you include:

A product like NetSuite provides one platform to manage everything. Sales and CRM, Accounting and Finance, Inventory and Warehouse Management, Work Orders and Assemblies, Project Management and Job Costing, Field Service Management, Dashboards, Workflows, Automation and more.

Total Visibility in Real Time on any Device

True cloud ERP is a website with a powerful database. As long as a user has access to the internet and a web browser, then they have access to the system. There is no need to be in the office, connected to a network or using remote desktop to see and transact in the system. It’s a simple way to access all information, data and dashboards and minimises time and effort associated making sure your IT infrastructure supports your business.

Also, modern ERP systems can be accessed on many types of devices including laptops, tablets and even smartphones, which means that users have more flexibility when it comes to using the system and is not tied to a desk. With remote workforces becoming increasingly popular this means that when you invest in ERP, you are allowing yourself to support flexible work arrangements and meet the expectation of true mobility that is now becoming a standard for the millennial workforce.

Improved Business Intelligence, Reporting and Planning

When you invest in a single system to manage your business, your ability to report, get business intelligence in real time and plan for the future is massively increased. You are also able to get better insights into business drivers as information from different departments can be linked, related and reported.

When you have multiple systems that each hold their silo of information, it is difficult if not impossible to get true 360-degree visibility of your business. Many businesses currently rely on excel to consolidate data and then spend hours if not days formatting and reformatting this information to try to understand what is going on in their business. This detachment becomes a massive drain on resources and wastes time and effort, when simply having the information stored on one system will completely negate the need for this.

Logistics and Business Productivity Improvement

ERP systems improve business productivity in a number of ways that are not necessarily easy to quantify. While all the productivity and quality improvements help contribute to the ROI of the ERP investment, some companies overlook these productivity gains:

So, Should You Invest in implementing an ERP?

When your business starts to be affected by the limits of your existing cluster of software systems, it is probably time to consider a modern ERP solution. By doing this, you are allowing yourself to define your current and future technology requirements and invest in a system that will help you simplify your IT footprint, take control of your business processes in ERP services and grow without having to add additional headcounts or overheads to your business.

At Klugo we are experts in helping small and medium-sized businesses evaluate, guide them through steps of ERP implementation and continually improve their use of the NetSuite system. Since 2013 we’ve helped hundreds of Australian businesses across a wide range of industries and verticals to leverage the power of the world’s leading ERP tools, NetSuite.

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The words “IT strategy” are usually enough to make most Business owners roll their eyes. However Smart business owners understand but when it comes to designing an IT strategy the decisions that are made early on in the businesses life-cycle have a far-reaching impact as time goes on and business requirements change.

Most businesses start out with a core need in two main areas.

1. Accounting and Financial Management
2. Sales and CRM.

There are literally thousands of software packages on the market that aim to provide cost-effective solutions to specific areas of the business’s needs. In most cases, business owners look at potential IT problems through a very narrow window. More often than not, and quite unintentionally, business owners create a cluster of systems with the goal of solving immediate problems rather than looking at the bigger picture.

Typical symptoms of this approach include:

• Duplication of data entry, often across three or four different systems.
• Separate silos of information.
• Inability to gain access to live data.
• Multiple spreadsheets being kept to manage information that is not covered by existing software functionality.
• Increased staff numbers to cope with increased demand.

For a growing business these symptoms not only waste valuable time that could be spent in improving business processes but also cost a lot of money when you consider the amount of time and effort that goes into trying to manage a disparate cluster of software systems.

At Klugo, we help businesses assess the current IT and software strategy and design ways to not only improve this immediately but also plan requirements in the future. More often than not we see businesses that started out small and have either experienced rapid growth or industry changes that have impacted the way they need to capture data and report on information.

“A typical NetSuite customer is either a small to medium-sized business (up to 1000 employees) who has experienced rapid growth or is gearing up for planned growth.” — says Michael Dean, Klugo’s Business Consultant.

Similarly, other businesses that look to make a system upgrade to NetSuite might have some new requirements, such as new reporting for government or administrative bodies, and their current systems cannot support the business’s needs.

In either case, the need to have a holistic software solution to manage the needs of the entire business becomes evident. That’s where NetSuite comes in. For over 20 years, NetSuite has been the leading cloud-based business management platform and has grown to managing over 40,000 businesses worldwide.

NetSuite is different to most traditional or legacy ERP’s as it offers users the ability to start small, with just the modules they need to manage their current business problems, but also gives them piece of mind that they will be able to continue to expand NetSuite’s functionality as the business continues to grow and change.

The Phased Implementation

As a NetSuite partner, Klugo helps customers define which NetSuite edition and module mix is right for their immediate needs as well as putting a continual improvement plan in place to ensure the wider needs but the business has been considered during the evaluation process.

Phase 1. Minimum Viable Solution

Typically, customers will look to “go-live” with the core functionality that will allow them to trade and provide a replacement to the legacy systems the business have been using previously. In most cases this is a phase 1, but the implementation will provide a robust and highly automated solution that manages:

• Core accounting, financial an inventory control.
• Sales, CRM, and customer support.
• Procurement and purchasing automation.
• Dashboards, core reporting and business workflow automation.

Phase 2 – Expanding the Solutions Footprint

After a few months of using NetSuite, we revisit the implemented solution and original goals of the project to identify any areas of core business operation that still needs to be improved.

Phase 2 implementation often provides functionality and automation for:

• Marketing campaigns and lead source management.
• Warehouse automation including barcoding, scanning and printing solutions.
• Payroll, including timesheet entry, expense management and employee purchase requests.
• Work order management and assembly builds.
• Work centre reporting, WIP and job routing.

Phase 3. Continual Improvement through Managed Services

Once customers have implemented NetSuite across all departments of their business, they now look to undertake continual improvement activities to ensure that their users are improving their use of standard NetSuite features as well as making the most of new features and functionalities that become available at each new release.

At Klugo, our Customer Success Team works closely with our clients’ key NetSuite champions to ensure that there is a clear plan for continual improvement and to guarantee that they are getting the most out of their investment into the world’s leading cloud technology. NetSuite is a very comprehensive management platform, and we encourage our customers to always look for new and better ways to use NetSuite across the different departments of their businesses.

If you’re new or an existing NetSuite customer, we would like to discuss how we might be able to help you improve your current implementation as well as partner-up to continually improve it in the future. Feel free to reach out to one of our business consultants for a confidential and obligation free discussion.