Today, Leverage Technologies invited Sue Coleman, Technical Consultant at Sage Australia to present a high-level overview of Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management – the ERP software solutions for larger businesses with complex requirements.
During this Webinar, we will explore what the Sage Enterprise Management ERP solution looks like through a live demonstration. We will cover the main aspects of the solution including:
The business processes Sage Enterprise Management is best suited for;
Platform navigation and usability;
Sales order process;
Plan to manufacture;
Purchase order process;
Financials;
Reporting.
Typically, Sage Enterprise Management can be showcased at its best when applied to a real-world scenario, being a particular industry or functionality. For today’s purpose, we will try to give you a bird-eye view of what’s possible within the platform without going too much into details for each specific functionality.
For a more detailed overview or to schedule a personalised demo, feel free to call us on 1300 045 046 or email [email protected].
Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management in 45 minutes with Sue Coleman
Who is Enterprise Management for?
First of all, what is Sage Enterprise Management and who is it for?
Sage Enterprise Management is the ERP software that gives companies with complex requirements access to faster, simpler and flexible business management capabilities, at a fraction of the cost and complexity of typical enterprise ERP systems.
So, what do we mean by complex requirements? Who are these companies?
Enterprise Management is optimal for companies with more than 100 employees or an average of 30 ERP users, in distribution, manufacturing or services. With distributed or global operations, multi-currency, multi-language, multi-site/warehouse but limited budget and technology resources. Looking for a fast and affordable solution to optimise financial, production and/or supply chain management processes, following best practices.
Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management also embraces the latest technology trends in the market, such as web-based UI, mobile apps, visual process flows, automated business processes, real-time business intelligence and many other functionalities that help businesses improve productivity.
What do we mean by “complex requirements”?
Businesses that have a level of complexity within their operations. Complexity can be the result of several aspects within a business, such as:
Multiple production methods and mixed modes (ATO, MTO, CTO, MTS, MPM).
A large number of businesses currently operate a complex process.
It all starts with customers – customer demand comes from a variety of places (e-commerce, retail outlets,…). Material Requirements Planning (MRP) helps you plan for this demand – what to purchase, when and in what quantities to ensure successful production and delivery of goods. At the same time, inventory levels need to be accurate (components or finished goods) because customers want in full, on-time delivery of products. Everything needs to be tracked and optimised overtime to ensure that further efficiencies can be created within the business.
If we add the fact that many businesses operate multiple warehouses, multiple entities, and cross-country operations – we now have a complex environment.
Conclusion
Sage Enterprise Management aims to simplify and streamline complex daily operations for businesses. The is locally implemented and supported in Australia and securely hosted in the Cloud. In this 45-minute demo presentation, Sue Coleman from Sage Australia showed us just that.
What does this mean and how can we position the Sage Cloud offering within the spectrum of ERP solutions available to Australian businesses?
In this article, we will be looking at some of the key aspects that make Sage X3 different from any other ERP solution and what the typical user looks like.
What is Sage X3?
In a world where Digital Transformation is the driver for change, businesses need to respond quickly to streamline core processes, create new services, improve user experience, boost productivity and drive innovation. Sage X3 helps businesses do just that by delivering faster, simpler and flexible business management at a fraction of the cost and complexity of typical ERP systems.
The Sage X3 ERP software is highly flexible and customisable to the needs of midsize enterprises, with modules that help you manage your finances, supply chain, production, customers and more.
Let’s have a better look at some of the key modules.
Data management, analytics and business intelligence
Supply Chain Management
Purchasing
Inventory management
Sales management
Customer service
E-commerce
CRM
Warehousing & Logistics
Production Management
BOM management
Production scheduling
Shop floor control
Quality control
Project management
The solution is highly customisable and can be deployed locally or in the Cloud (Amazon Web Services) for increased flexibility and cost control.
Who are the ideal users?
Sage X3 is ideal for businesses with 100 to 2,000 employees that are looking for simpler enterprise management, flexible business processes and faster customer response time.
“Accurate forecasting has enabled us to plan to always have the correct materials available at the right time.”
Barry Sher – Universal Paper & Plastics
The system is highly customisable to the business needs of medium enterprises when complexity becomes an obstacle to day to day operations.
Midsize enterprises love Sage X3 because it offers extended capabilities in the following areas:
Multi-language and legislation;
Multi-currency (all currencies);
Multi-ledger, multi-journal;
Multi-company, sites and warehouses;
Inter-company/inter-site transactions;
Multi-level structure/dimensions accounting;
Multiple asset depreciation methods;
Multiple units of measure;
Multiple stock costing methods;
Multiple production methods and mixed modes (ATO, MTO, CTO, MTS, MPM).
Key industries include complex process and discrete manufacturing (including food & beverage manufacturing, chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, fabricated metals, furniture fixtures,…) business services, complex wholesale trade and construction.
In summary, Sage X3 works beautifully for businesses with 100+ employees that are looking for a solution to streamline the increasing complexity that comes with multi-company, multi-currency, multi-warehouse and similar…
Some of the success stories
Sage X3 has helped many organisations transform the way they operate and achieve outstanding results. Here are some examples.
Industry / Operations: Chocolate & Confectioneries
Organisation: Ganong Bros.
Outcome: 100% Return on Investment in one year with Enterprise Management
Testimonial: “We achieved a full return on investment by the end of the first year through labor savings and improved accuracy.” Marc Lefebvre, Vice President and CIO
Industry / Operations: Printing Labels
Organisation: Guru Labels
Outcome: 65% faster customer response time and 20% increase of online orders with Enterprise Management
Testimonial: “We achieved a full return on investment by the end of the first year through labor savings and improved accuracy.” Nick Lowe, Sales Director
Industry / Operations: Industrial Hinges
Organisation: S&S Hinge
Outcome: 30% reduced inventory costs and faster new customer growth with Enterprise Management
Testimonial: “We’ve reduced our inventory carrying costs by 30% –that represents nearly $500,000 in cash freed up. Inventory turns are up by 20%. The time to produce a custom quote is down by 75% and we added over 100 customers in one year.” Rich Sade, Vice President and COO
Conclusion
Many organisations choose to adopt an Enterprise Resource Planning software solution due to internal growth and increase in complexity. Most times, in a small to medium-size business environment this means outgrowing a basic accounting package and adopting an entry-level ERP solution but for more complex businesses, basic ERP just doesn’t do the job.
Sage X3 is the next level up from entry-level ERP software and provides advanced functionalities that can help midsize enterprises streamline the complexity that comes with growth. Multi-company, multi-warehouse, smart production scheduling and much more.
Discrete manufacturing encompasses a wide variety of businesses, from the highly technical—such as medical devices, robotics, aeroplanes, computers, smartphones and cars—through to essential everyday items like toys, appliances, furniture, windows and fencing.
While the products vary, one factor remains constant: the need to ensure your processes are efficient and you’re producing high-quality, in-demand goods.
Discrete manufacturers are realising they need to harness technology to improve their whole-of-business operations and gain a competitive edge, which often means implementing a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution.
What do discrete manufacturers need from an ERP solution?
If you have to wait for a part that’s being shipped in from overseas, or experience a backlog at one step of your process, it can halt the entire assembly line. Too much stock on hand hampers your cash flow, and too little makes life hard for your sales team.
Production is often complex; with detailed BOMs (bill of materials), and different stages of assembly requiring attention to ensure quality in the end product. Not to mention engineering changes, configure-to-order requirements, or versioning to meet the demand for different features or price points.
To reduce costs and meet changing market needs, the best software solution is one that can be customised for your precise production tasks and also delivers clarity on your broader business performance.
Why is Sage X3 an ideal ERP for discrete manufacturing?
If you make products comprising multiple parts to exact specifications, Sage X3 is the ideal ERP.
Plan ahead for ordering raw materials and capacity.
Understand sales demand and manage inventory accordingly.
Schedule and track work and oversee shop floor activities.
The software includes forecasting, which feeds into tailored recommendations that help you optimise inventory levels. Create custom dashboards, monitor work orders, be notified when to buy materials, review data and take action as needed.
Sage adjusts its suggestions based on real-time changes in sales and order information, so you can make proactive decisions that save your business time and money.
Traditionally making individual products has been harder to scale due to a reliance on components, sequential steps and quality requirements. However, Sage excels in helping discrete manufacturers analyse product line profitability and develop new products.
It’s simple to review and release the same product in different versions or create multiple kinds of the same product. You can quickly and cost-effectively plan for product diversification within the ERP, comparing the cost of variations in parts, change in a production location, or by the batch size.
Sage makes it possible to automate change management workflows to have new product versions approved, and then introduce new products or version information so that it’s available across your business—at the point of sale, BOM, and routing levels.
An effective ERP is now essential for discrete manufacturing
Your business clients and end consumers expect innovation, speed and personalised service. It’s ineffective to rely on outdated legacy systems or paper-based plans.
Systems that don’t give you end-to-end oversight of your manufacturing process are too slow and inexact, leaving your business more vulnerable to mistakes, recalls, and cost blowouts.
On the other hand, with Sage X3 as your ERP solution you can forecast, anticipate and respond to changes in operational and production needs, so you can meet and exceed your consumers’ needs.
For more information on Sage X3 as an ERP for your discrete manufacturing business call us on 1300 045 046 or email [email protected].
Looking for a Food ERP Software? In this article, we are going to explore some key aspects to consider when selecting an ERP Software for the food industry.
The Australian food and beverage industry is highly regulated…..HACCP, traceability, quality control – these are just some of the key aspects that organisations operating in this industry have to consider when selecting an ERP system. And the list goes on!
With strict regulation and compliance requirements, it’s important to understand what the challenges in the food and beverage industry are before proceeding any further.
Australian food and beverage industry overview and key challenges
The food industry in Australia is going from strength to strength – with a growing population and an abundance of great locally produced food products the Australian food industry is well equipped for further growth. The industry appears to be split into three core sectors across food processing and food distribution;
Smaller businesses offering food distribution to cafes and restaurants;
Mid-size food processing companies
Larger food processing multinationals.
When considering a new ERP software for the food industry there are multiple complexities – for small and large players. Challenges like traceability of raw materials and finished goods, random weight, weighing scale integration, run/delivery management and sequence-dependent changeover can offer some challenges for ERP providers.
The key for the smaller players in the food processing or food distribution market is to be able to find an ERP provider that offers the required level of functionality and expertise without the associated price tag. The intention of this article is not to recommend any specific ERP application – but more to give general advice on ERP product selection for organizations operating in the food industry.
How to choose the best ERP software solutions for the food and beverage industry
In this short video, we explain the 5 key functionalities that you should be looking for in a modern food ERP software solution for your business.
Things to consider when selecting an ERP software for the food industry
Key takeaways
Functional / requirements – as always when selecting an ERP solution it makes sense to list your functional requirements in each area of the business. This includes functional requirements for finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, manufacturing and all other business processes. In the food industry, your requirements for finance will usually be reasonably standard. As a result, a lot of focus is usually placed on the operational side of the business. Most specifically a lot of focus should be placed on the food industry-specific ERP requirements – expiry dates, random weight, traceability, HACCP etc.
Budget – there are some great ERP products suitable for the food industry available in Australia. These products are offered at very different price points. There is no point investigating a great ERP product for the food industry with lots of reference sites only to find that the implementation would require a budget of three times your intended spend on ERP. Unfortunately, we all need to be realistic and the budget has to play a role.
Generally speaking, ERP products can be divided into three broad categories – tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3.
Tier 1 normally indicates the more advanced, high-end ERP solutions used by multinationals and bigger companies with larger budgets.
Tier 2 is the mid-range sector where many Australian food sector SMEs are looking for ERP products. The ERP players in this sector offer a complete ERP application aimed at medium-sized businesses.
Tier 3 is typically the smaller end of the market – less complexity, lower implementation investment and quicker implementation timeframes.
The challenge with ERP for the food industry is that very often ERP solutions should not be selected purely based on the size of an organization but rather on the complexity of the business requirements. Put another way – what are the business needs? As we have already mentioned the food industry puts forward some relatively complex requirements. The challenge is that a small food processing business can have relatively complex ERP requirements. This will require a higher budget to implement. Even if the ERP software is given away for free experience tells us that more complex requirements by their nature take longer to implement and therefore require greater investment.
Methodology – whatever industry you are in when you implement an ERP solution you need to follow a methodology. The chosen methodology will offer structure and process to the implementation. The methodology should be selected based on the companies’ specific requirements, complexity, budget and size of business. There is no right or wrong answer for ERP implementation methodology. One size does not fit all when it comes to ERP implementation. Agile, waterfall and other ERP implementation methodologies should be selected carefully based on their merits and matched to your companies’ specific business requirements. Remember that ERP is about business – not software. The software is purely an enabler to doing better, smarter, more efficient business.
Timing – implementation timeframes for ERP can range from a couple of months to several years depending on complexity, resource requirements and other factors. Make sure that you set realistic go-live targets which allow for sufficient testing of requirements.
Let’s discuss some of the ERP for food industry requirements in more detail:
HACCP – a food management safety programme. Designed to control food safety through food safety and risk assessment plan. A well-implemented ERP solution can assist with HACCP requirements. Most specifically as these requirements relate to:
Traceability – a good ERP solution will allow batch/lot traceability. This will allow a food processing or distribution company to not only track and trace finished goods but also all components used in processing. This will allow full traceability if there are any product-related issues like contamination.
Monitoring – a principle of HACCP is the monitoring of critical control points. With traceability and manufacturing routing through ERP these critical control points can be monitored.
Procedures – monitoring of procedures and process flows is important in the food industry. An ERP solution can assist with document management and retrieval, automated quality assurance procedures (sample testing of raw materials and finished goods) and the automation of procedures. For example, an ERP solution can force a user to do a QA sample test prior to receiving raw materials into a warehouse.
Data – HACCP requires that food companies have access to data and good record keeping. An ERP solution with good reporting tools makes access to data easy. Even large volumes of data can be kept for several years and accessed at the push of a button.
Weighing scale integration – A common requirement for the food industry is weighing scale integration to the core ERP solution. This weighing scale integration can be relatively simple – providing scales for weighing cartons or boxes in the factory to check the actual weight vs expected weight of a carton of food or raw materials. More advanced ERP implementations might have integrated weighing scale functionality to automate the weighing process as a double-check that the right goods are being shipped.
Proof of delivery – when foods are delivered to a café, restaurant or hotel why not implement an automated and electronic proof of delivery solution on a handheld device – true mobility.
Run management – large and small food distribution and processing companies share a common goal – get your product to your customers on time and in full. Delivery run management involves the scheduling of trucks to make sure that we follow the most economic delivery schedule and that we pack the trucks according. As an example, the items for the first delivery are packed at the back of the truck.
Random weight – one of the more complex areas for ERP solutions in the food processing industry. Random weights indicate that you sell an item (for example rump steak) as a carton (sold by the carton) but you also have a variable weight in each carton. In this instance, the sell item of 1 carton might weigh approximately 10KG’s. The challenge for an ERP software solution is that the weights are very seldom exact. There can be weight loss on the meat and as such a 10KG carton could end up with a net, shipped weight which is variable. There are different ways to handle random or catchweight and your ERP provider will need to be across these solutions.
Reverse bill of materials – most ERP solutions want to treat manufacturing as the building of an item from various raw materials. As an example a bicycle is built from two wheels, a frame, a seat and more. These parts are assembled using the bill of materials. What makes food processing different is that you need a reverse bill of materials. In food processing, you start with one item (a whole cow) and then you cut the item into various finished goods – fillet steak, rump steak, etc. The complexity for ERP is the concept of one item of raw material becoming multiple finished goods.
We have talked about some of the complexities facing the food industry when implementing ERP – let’s not forget that when we implement a good ERP solution we get a whole lot more than a general ledger and invoicing. A well-implemented and functional ERP solution will open up all sorts of opportunities for improvement:
Instant access to analytics enabling the business to make informed decisions;
mobility for sales teams and delivery drivers (including proof of delivery);
run management to ensure the most efficient delivery to your customers;
on time in full reporting for your customers and suppliers;
better inventory control and
optimized purchase and production planning.
Food ERP Software Demo
Check how a true ERP software that is built for the food and beverage industry looks like in this short software demo of Sage Enterprise Management tailored to the food industry.
Conclusion
It is no secret that the food industry in Australia is going from strength to strength. Although highly regulated there is still room for Australian organisations to innovate on processes and operations to drive efficiencies at multiple levels.
Do you operate in the food and beverage industry in Australia? Leave a comment below to let us know what challenges you are facing and what key benefits you would be looking for in an Enterprise Resource Planning system.
Should you implement Sage Enterprise Management Cloud or On-Premise? After you choose Sage Enterprise Management as your ERP software solution, you now want to decide whether to implement it in the Cloud or On-premise.
The good news is that the options are certainly there for you! In this article, we are going to explain some of the differences and considerations you need to make when evaluating the two options.
First of all, why are so many companies moving their ERP software to the cloud? When compared with an On-premise setup, the Cloud makes perfect sense. Think about the following benefits:
Reduced upfront cash flow requirements;
No need for expensive hardware and infrastructure;
Quicker deployment of ERP and outsourced maintenance of the on-going requirements associated with security, infrastructure and back-up;
Gain access to scalable computing power (more computing power than ever before);
Pay as you use.
Sage Enterprise Management Cloud Vs On-premise
Sage offers you, the customer, choice. When considering Cloud ERP vs On-premise there are a number of factors to consider:
Current infrastructure;
On-going OpEx vs CapEx costs;
Internet speeds and reliability;
Functional requirements.
As an ERP software solution provider, we believe that the Cloud or On-premise deployment choice should be made by the customer, not the vendor.
Yes, there are multiple advantages to moving your ERP software to the Cloud but there might be specific reasons preventing you from doing so or you might have done the maths and you might be of the opinion that an On-premise ERP makes more sense for your business.
In fact, Sage Enterprise Management was an early adopter of web client architecture for ERP, leading the way for Cloud and browser independent remote access from anywhere.
I am a huge fan and supporter of Cloud ERP solutions but let’s not forget that the Cloud is not always right for every business. We can still access Mobility, eCommerce and Big Data analytics from an On-premise ERP solution. As stated earlier, there might be specific reasons for still considering an on-premise solution.
Your deployment choices with Sage Enterprise Management
Here are some of the deployment options offered by Sage for your Sage Enterprise Management ERP software.
Traditional On-premise. Purchase your server, use your existing infrastructure and stay on-premise. In this instance your Sage Enterprise Management licenses are “purchased” and you pay an annual maintenance and support plan to cover your day to day support requirements.
Pros: There is a lower on-going software investment. Most of your software investment is made upfront with the software “purchase”. When calculating investment of On-premise vs Cloud you should consider all costs – hardware, IT resource, back-up and network costs.
Cons: This type of purchase requires a bigger upfront investment. – Maintenance of infrastructure requirements can prove expensive and time-consuming.
Private Cloud. At Leverage Technologies can provide private Cloud options. These private Cloud options include the ability to do an upfront software “purchase” and pay an annual support and maintenance fee or alternatively pay a monthly Software as a Service (SaaS) fee. This is often referred to as a hybrid model. Your Sage Enterprise Management Solution is hosted in the Cloud on infrastructure that is outsourced (you pay a monthly fee). You have access to your own Cloud environment, hence the term “private” cloud.
Pros: All of the advantages of a multi-tenant Cloud (public Cloud) offering. Easier access to specific development tools and customization. Upgrades can be timed to your specific requirements because you have your own environment you can decide on the timing and planning associated with system upgrades. This is particularly useful if you have multiple developments or integration requirements.
Cons: Will be a more expensive option than multi-tenant Cloud.
Multi-tenant Cloud. You are sharing secure infrastructure with multiple other companies.
Pros: Automatic upgrades (reduced on-going cost of ownership), lower monthly fees, no need for your own expensive infrastructure, back-up and security are world class.
Cons: On-going cost of ownership should be compared to other available options (on-premise and private cloud). Remember, as stated earlier, when comparing the investment requirements of on-premise, private and public Cloud one should compare all relevant costs – infrastructure, upgrades, IT staff and security.
Conclusion
As consumers we love choice, so why should ERP be any different?
With an ERP solution from Sage you, the customer, can choose a world class ERP solution with the deployment option that works best for your business.
Whether it’s a traditional On-premise setup, private Cloud or multi-tenant Cloud, Sage Enterprise Management give you the solutions for setting up your ERP the way you prefer.
At Leverage Technologies, we have helped numerous Australian companies understand the various options and implement the solution seamlessly. For more information on the ERP options offered by Sage call us on 1300 045 046 or email [email protected].
Brett Mundell
Managing Director
Brett has more than 20 years of business software sales and company management experience. Brett has been involved in more than 300 ERP projects. His passion is customer satisfaction, making sure every client is more than just satisfied. Brett wants our customers to be driven to refer their friends and peers because we offer the best services and technology available and because we exceeded their expectations.
In this article, we are going to review some of the reasons why many manufacturing businesses love Sage X3 for automating scheduling and production tasks.
Sage X3 is a powerful Cloud ERP software solution capable of automating your manufacturing and production scheduling to help you deliver on time, every time.
Manufacturing businesses have to juggle a number of priorities to remain competitive.
Fluctuating foreign exchange rates, raw material price changes, long lead times, short delivery timeframes and competition from overseas and high labour costs, to name a few.
Just as important – on-time, in-full delivery of products to your customers is key.
But perhaps one of the most important aspects of successful manufacturing companies is inventory management. Managing inventory, including raw materials and finished goods to an optimum level whilst maintaining customer satisfaction can be extremely complex!
We all know the outcomes of poor inventory management. If you hold too much stock, you are tying up valuable cash flow in inventory. On the other hand, if you hold too little stock (and keep the accountants happy), your ability to deliver on time and in full to your customers begins to suffer.
Is it possible to juggle manufacturing and purchase planning to optimise inventory levels without using an ERP?
Most manufacturing companies that we talk to have a very similar view of the challenges that surround an optimal production.
“Sales tells manufacturing that if manufacturing made more products on time then sales would find it easier to sell those available quantities.”
Manufacturing counters this with “If the sales team could accurately forecast sales then the manufacturing team would be able to plan more accurately and would be delivering ahead of schedule”.
These debates have been around forever!
The truth is, there are a lot of moving parts when trying to juggle manufacturing and purchase planning. For those of you who don’t use an ERP software or are still managing the whole process on spreadsheets, you know the complexities:
Customer orders;
Supplier delivery schedules;
Lead times;
Manufacturing delays;
Alternative shifts;
Outsource work;
Shipping times for raw materials;
Forecast sales.
Trying to work through thousands or even tens of thousands of transactions to detect trends and to plan the schedule accordingly takes computing power and robust systems designed specifically for manufacturing companies.
Enter the age of Cloud-Based ERP Solutions and automated planning and purchasing software such as Sage X3, your business gets access to:
Forecast planning
Purchase planning
Material Requirements Planning
Graphic scheduling
Advance planning and scheduling
Many other integrated functionalities that are part of the platform
Manufacturing and scheduling on autopilot with Sage X3
Sage X3 offers the complete suite of advanced manufacturing and inventory control tools to help businesses balance the demands of operating and scheduling a manufacturing plant.
Visibility across the organisation – Using Sage X3 you get a view of the entire organisation. No more “islands of information”. Finance, inventory, purchasing, manufacturing, CRM and reporting are all integrated. A single view of customers, suppliers, inventory and manufacturing – from anywhere, anytime.
Data that makes sense – Sage X3 allows you to sort through thousands and thousands of transactions to make sense of the real data and the real picture. If an order is delayed, Sage X3 will give you an immediate picture of the delay and the new delivery dates so that you can immediately update your sales team and customer – in fact, even this part of the process can be automated.
Drive efficiency at every level – Due to the tightly integrated nature of Sage X3 you will be able to drive efficiency at every level – sales, cash flow, purchasing, manufacturing and management. Ultimately leading to quicker quote to cash timeframes, better cash flow and improved customer service. Driving efficiency comes from multiple technological improvements in ERP solutions – think about AP automation (scanning AP invoices and automatically producing approval workflow), expense management automation, automated forecast planning, purchase order recommendations from MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and mobility (access to relevant information where and when you want it).
Balance limited resources –All manufacturing companies struggle with balancing limited resources to make the best decisions. In the new age of technology, data is being received from thousands of different platforms – social media, e-commerce, EDI, ERP, planning systems, customer portals, news feeds and more. A modern ERP solution like Sage X3 captures this data, make sense of the data and presents the data in a format that allows you, the user, to use that data to make informed decisions about resource allocation – labour, machinery and raw materials. This might include Business Intelligence (BI) reporting from Sage X3 (for example SDMA) to help you understand your business data which in turn will help you make the correct decisions in balancing these limited resources.
Conclusion
Most companies considering an ERP solution like Sage X3 because they have outgrown their current software.
Most often the pain that is being felt with the existing systems is associated with operational struggles:
Islands of information are preventing the business from getting a single, consolidated view of operations;
Inability to correctly forecast, plan and schedule manufacturing;
Hard to access meaningful data, when and where we need it.
Sage X3 brings operational efficiencies to businesses looking to progress from a basic system to a sophisticated manufacturing software.
This is because Sage X3’s capabilities associated with planning, scheduling and operational control give you the ability to manage your entire manufacturing progress, from quote to cash, from a single system and in real-time.
Want to learn more about Sage X3? Call us on 1300 045 046 or email [email protected].
Sage X3 (now called Sage Enterprise Management, part of the Sage Business Cloud offering introduced in Australia earlier this year) is the flagship ERP solution from the global ERP provider Sage.
Sage is a veteran of the ERP market and one of the biggest providers of ERP solutions to the mid-market in Australia and across the world.
Whether you are looking to replace an outdated ERP system, a DOS-based software, or simply still managing your business on spreadsheets, you might be wondering where to position Sage X3 in your ERP software shortlist.
In this article, we will use our Sage ERP software experience to help you better understand if the solution is right for your organisation.
Sage X3 ERP Software Review – Answering Your Questions
So how does Sage fit into the ERP market? What size customer is well suited to the Sage ERP software? Which industries are well suited and what are some of the reasons that many Australian mid-market companies are choosing Sage X3 to run their business software?
Firstly, cloud or on premise does not matter to Sage X3 – you, the customer, can decide.
Sage ERP is available on-premise or in the Cloud and yes, offers an HTML web browser interface – browser and device independent – outstanding for cloud and mobility.
Let’s answer some other questions:
What size business should purchase Sage X3?
This is a generalisation but we would say a typical mid-market business should consider Sage Enterprise Management. I say this is a generalisation because sometimes relatively small businesses can have complex business requirements and therefore need a higher end ERP solution. But as a general rule Sage X3 should be considered a mid-market solution suitable for larger SME’s and bigger corporates. Check this article for a high-level guide to ERP software pricing.
The answer to this question will obviously depend on a number of factors which we covered in an earlier Sage X3 blog . On average I would say that it takes 60-90 days of consultancy time to implement (assuming a typical wholesale / distribution environment) and 100-120 consultancy days is required for manufacturing.
Are there any particular industry strengths (industry verticals) that Sage X3 is particularly good at?
The answer is yes – the Sage ERP software has some specific functionality for certain industries – food processing, medical / pharmaceutical and configure to order are all good micro-verticals for Sage X3. But more generally speaking Sage ERP does some broad market sectors really well.
Within these broad market sectors, individual Sage X3 resellers tend to focus on market micro verticals (food, medical etc.).
What about Sage X3 implementation and support?
Sage works through a network of partners (resellers). Sage is locally represented in many global regions (including Australia). Sage partners are responsible for the sales, support and implementation of Sage X3 in Australia. The good news for Sage X3 customers is that you have a local network of local partners to help you with your implementation and support – backed by a local Sage office – providing you with the best choices for your on-going Sage X3 support.
Check out how we have helped this Australian business overcome challenges relating to complex manufacturing operation historically run by a lot of spreadsheets and manual processes. Read the case study.
Over the years we have seen the solution work exceptionally well for small and medium-sized organisations in the manufacturing, configure/engineer to order, distribution and similar industries.
If you want to know more about Sage X3, check some Sage X3 demo videos on our YouTube Channel – demo videos.
In summary, if you are considering a mid-market, scalable, web browser based ERP solution for your business Sage X3 should definitely be on your candidate list.
For more information or to speak to an experienced Sage Platinum partner give us a call on 1300 045 046 or email [email protected]. In under 10 minutes, we might be able to tell you is Sage Enterprise Management (Sage X3) is the right ERP software for your business.
