If you’re reading this, chances are you’re the owner of a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME), and are close to making a decision on which ERP software you want to implement in your business.
And it also means that you’re seriously considering SAP Business One as an option. But, with so many products out there in the ERP software market, how does SAP’s midmarket product for SMEs stand out amidst the competition?
It does so with modules that are widely recognised as having more robust functionalities for certain features, making Business One the ERP software of choice for SMEs with specific business needs.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the unique advantages that SAP Business One brings to the table, and makes it potentially the superior choice when compared against competing ERP software in the same market space.
- Inventory Management With MRP
- Deploy On-premise Or On Cloud
- Fast Insights With SAP HANA
- Customisation For Industry Needs
- Rapid Deployment
1. Best-in-Class Inventory Management With MRP Module
MRP Module in SAP Business One. Source: SAP Community
In the ERP software market space, SAP Business One stands out for having a particularly robust inventory management functionalities, thanks to its Materials Resource Planning (MRP) module.
The MRP module is a feature that not even its closest competitors offer an equivalent for, and makes Business One especially suitable for businesses that require robust manufacturing and inventory management capabilities, such as those in the retail, wholesale distribution, manufacturing, and service sectors.
Through the MRP module, Business One users enjoy superior inventory management capabilities through;
- a wizard-based process which simplifies complex planning tasks,
- comprehensive planning capabilities, where the MRP module re-evaluates existing inventories, demands, and supplies based on changing parameters like lead times and make-or-buy decisions,
- automatic document generation, which generates production or purchasing documents based on MRP recommendations,
- automatically balancing inventory of production materials with projected sales to avoid overstocking or understocking in the user’s warehouses, and
- handles complex scenarios such as multi-level bills of materials (BOM)
Because of these, SMEs which require MRP capabilities would be well-advised to seriously consider SAP Business One as their ERP software.
2. On-premise Or Cloud: Deploy Whatever Suits You Best
Image: SAP Business One Version 10 Web Client
SAP Business One started out as an on-premise ERP software, designed to be hosted on physical servers located on the premises of the business. Even today, many customers use it as one, hosted on the Microsoft SQL relational database management system.
However, Business One can also be utilised as a cloud ERP software, if you choose to host it on SAP’s proprietary HANA database instead. This means it’s not true that SAP Business One is not suitable if you’re looking for a cloud ERP software.
In fact, SAP has put much investment into making Business One a cloud-capable solution, especially with the Version 10 update which introduced the Web Client as well as the SAP Fiori layout.
With the Web Client, end users who are out in the field can access all of the data in Business One at any place, anytime through their mobile devices, enabling them to stay connected and make data-driven decisions even on the go.
This means that, assuming you’re willing to shell out to host your instance of SAP Business One on HANA, you can certainly enjoy the same benefits that a cloud ERP software would offer your SME.
3. Unleash Lightning-fast insights With SAP HANA
Image: SAP Business One - Hana
When implementing SAP Business One, you face a pivotal choice: host on Microsoft SQL (MSSQL) server or SAP's groundbreaking HANA in-memory relational database. While Business One performs reliably on MSSQL, it's with SAP HANA that its true potential is unleashed.
Hosting Business One on SAP HANA opens a world of advantages:
- Lightning-fast processing: Handle high-volume data with ease through high-speed transactions and analytics.
- Real-time insights: Leverage in-memory processing for advanced, real-time analytics and superior performance.
- Global reach: Operate seamlessly across borders with support for 27 languages and localisation for over 40 countries.
- Cutting-edge tools: Access best-in-class application development, security, patching, and encryption tools.
- Exclusive features: Enjoy functions only available on SAP HANA, including the native Web Client from Version 10 onward.
4. Customisable To Industry-specific Needs
SAP Business One is known for its flexibility and versatility. Its capabilities can be easily extended through integration of third-party apps. Thanks to its strong application programme interfaces (APIs), which makes it easy for developers to build extensions and add-ons.
In addition, SAP has developed a vast ecosystem of system integrators and value-added resellers (VARs), who have developed more than 400 of such third-party add-ons.
This makes Business One an ideal choice for SMEs operating across various industries, as it can be easily extended and adapted for the unique operational needs of businesses in each sector.
As such, you don’t have to restrict to sector-specific ERP software, as SAP Business One can be easily customised to fit industry-specific business needs.
5. Swift, Cost-Effective Deployment
Everyone knows that time is money. SAP Business One is designed for fast deployment, which considerably shortens the traditional ERP implementation schedule. This swift integration means less downtime for your business, allowing you to start leveraging the system's benefits almost immediately.
Partnering with an SAP Gold Partner, such as AFON, can accelerate the deployment process. Having extensive knowledge and experience in SAP Business One, we can provide a streamlined implementation process while ensuring best practices are followed, minimising the chance of potential pitfalls.
Unique Advantages Make SAP Business One A Top Choice For SMEs
Due to its distinct advantages that set it apart from competitors, SAP Business One still remains as a solid option as an ERP software for SMEs today.
From robust inventory management capabilities via its MRP module to deployment flexibility, fast insights with SAP HANA, customisability for industry-specific needs, and swift, cost-effective deployment, Business One is the superior choice for SMEs looking to streamline their operations and enhance growth.
If you're considering an implementation of SAP Business One for your SME, do reach out to us at AFON IT Pte Ltd for a consultation. Give us a call at +65 6323 0901, or drop us a note here and we'll get back to you shortly.
Otherwise, if you'd like to know about SAP's ERP software for SMEs, click on the image below to find the solution brief for SAP Business One.
