Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are not totally outmoded. Many organizations still use ERP applications like SAP, Oracle, etc. to streamline mission-critical business functions, i.e., finance & accounts, human capital management, supplier relationship management, enterprise performance management, etc.
However, ERP integration poses various challenges for organizations. Firstly, compatibility issues arise when integrating different ERP systems from various vendors. Ensuring seamless data flow and synchronization between disparate systems can be complex. Secondly, data mapping and transformation become challenging due to differences in data structures and formats across systems. Thirdly, managing security and access controls to protect sensitive data during integration requires careful planning. Additionally, coordinating and aligning business processes across different ERP modules can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Overcoming these challenges is crucial to achieve successful ERP integration and reap its benefits for organizational efficiency and productivity.
What’s more, these solutions generate debilitating errors and silos prevent enterprises from integrating ERP systems with other applications. As a result, most companies fail to automate and optimize their core processes to keep up with tech trends.
What’s more, there are some other challenges of ERP integration companies face including:
- 1.Data Complexity: ERP integration involves consolidating data from various systems and sources, which can be complex due to differences in data formats, structures, and quality. Ensuring data consistency and accuracy during the integration process can be challenging.
- 2.System Compatibility: Integrating an ERP system with existing systems and applications can be challenging due to differences in technology, architecture, and protocols. Compatibility issues may arise, requiring additional customization or middleware to facilitate seamless communication and data exchange.
- 3.Process Standardization: ERP systems often require standardization of business processes across the organization. However, organizations may have different workflows and practices that need to be aligned with the ERP system. Achieving process standardization and managing change within the organization can be a significant challenge.
- 4.Cost and Resource Allocation: ERP integration projects can be costly and resource-intensive. Allocating sufficient budget, skilled personnel, and IT infrastructure for successful integration can be a challenge, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources.
- 5.Data Security and Privacy: Integrating multiple systems increases the complexity of data security and privacy. Protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA can pose challenges during ERP integration.
- 6.Scalability Issues: Any ERP system needs to scale to meet the high production volume demands of customers. Managing system updates, patches, and ensuring compatibility with integrated systems can be challenging.
Related Whitepaper: Reimagine Customer Data Integration
In this blog, we will discuss some common ERP integration challenges, use cases, and ways to circumvent them using revamped ERP integration solutions.
Common ERP Integration Use Cases
ERP Integration with Client Relationship Management (CRM): This is one of the most common ERP integration solution use cases. Enterprises often need to integrate CRM data with ERP systems like Salesforce, Oracle, Workbooks, etc. With integration, a salesperson can onboard customer data faster up to 80% by bringing ERP data, i.e., financials, performance management, etc. to a CRM. Faster onboarding enables companies to offer superior customer experiences, and thus achieve a good net promoter score. The overall efficiency and productivity of IT teams increase, making companies easier to do business with.
ERP Integration with Supplier Systems: Seamless integration enables enterprises to send requests to suppliers whenever a purchase requisition for a component or raw material is generated in an ERP system. Supplier quotes can be routed back to ERP for further processing.
ERP Integration with Third-Party Purchase Order Systems: ERP systems can be integrated with third-party purchase order systems for getting quick access to receipts, requisitions, logs and other relevant information. Start-to-end integration significantly accelerates the speed of order processing tasks,thereby ensuring faster time to value
Challenges in Integrating ERP with Other Applications
ERP-integrated solutions deliver tangible benefits but it is a daunting task. These solutions are extremely mature and rigid and they often form data silos. IT teams face several challenges while integrating SAP with other applications.
There is a steep increase in the use of Software as a Service (SaaS) based platforms that have a different design model and data format. These architectural differences make it difficult for integrating ERP applications with a SaaS application like Salesforce.
Another relevant problem is identifying the relevant ERP database from over 90,000 databases. Most of these tables have hundreds of flags, fields, or values. Extracting this data can be a huge problem for enterprises.
Adeptia’s ERP Integration Accelerators
Adeptia offers unique capabilities for integrating ERP applications with other applications and automating complex processes. The ERP-integrated solutions work natively with many ERP solutions like SAP and Oracle to enable smoother electronic data interchange. It also customizes ERP systems for specific requirements and processes.
Adeptia Integration Accelerator for ERP packs robust features for different types of integration scenarios:
Data Mapping: Adeptia enables smoother data transformation between an ERP and any other application. Data mapping rules can be configured visually with drag-and-drop ease in a few simple clicks. It uses AI to map different kinds of data, which is a lot faster and more authentic than complex EDI mapping. Consequently, users can streamline the movement of data between an ERP and other applications.
Workflow Automation: Adeptia’s ERP integration solution automates business processes to and from ERP that help companies drive digital transformation initiatives. Human workflow capabilities enable business users to validate information, correct errors and make decisions quickly. The solution provisions pre-built flows and connectors for quick deployment.
SOA-Based, Low-Code Approach: Adeptia provides an easy, graphical, point-and-click approach for building and deploying ERP integration flows. Process-centric, SOA-based approach facilitates automated SAP integration and helps users in responding faster to business and technology changes.
Contact Adeptia Experts to know more about our ERP Integration Capabilities.