Turn your ERP into a next-level command center for your business

With 50% of companies acquiring, upgrading, or planning to update their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, businesses are recognizing the need for more efficient and connected operations. ERP software unifies processes, boosts efficiency, and delivers real-time data for smarter decision-making.

However, rapid technology advancements have left many company leaders uncertain about how to fully leverage their ERP systems. While some still view ERP as just a financial and inventory management tool, its capabilities go far beyond that. A modern ERP improves production planning, client management, compliance tracking, and supply chain visibility, helping businesses stay agile, responsive, and competitive in fluctuating market conditions.

ERP as a Strategic Advantage

A well-equipped ERP system delivers real-time insights into your company’s overall health, minimizing downtime and keeping production on schedule. With enhanced key performance indicator (KPI) tracking and instant access to performance metrics, decision-makers are empowered to act swiftly.

AI-powered insights help forecast for financial planning, balance inventory levels, and minimize overproduction or stockouts. By integrating departments, eliminating data silos, and streamlining workflows, ERP systems create a more efficient, connected operation.

In recent years, trade uncertainties, the pandemic, and geopolitical tensions have exposed the need for greater supply chain resilience. With real-time visibility and risk management tools, ERP systems have evolved from a back-office function into a strategic asset that helps businesses handle disruptions, optimize resources, and stay competitive in an unpredictable market.

A successful ERP aligns with business needs, strengthens operations, and enhances efficiency. The right system supports long-term growth, allowing businesses to scale without major disruptions.

Core ERP Functions for Manufacturers

An ERP system offers a range of interconnected tools designed to support different aspects of manufacturing operations. The following core functions help businesses improve productivity and manage complexity:

• Financial Management: Oversee accounting, budgeting, and real-time reporting
• Human Resources (HR): Manage payroll, benefits, and performance tracking
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Enhance sales, marketing, and client engagement
• Supply Chain Management (SCM): Optimize procurement, production oversight, and distribution
• Warehouse Management System (WMS): Control inventory, streamline order fulfillment, and manage logistics
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP): Plan production, schedule materials, and forecast demand
• Sales Tax Compliance: Automate tax calculations, manage multi-jurisdictional rate tracking, and generate audit-ready reports

Accurate, up-to-date information in one system helps manufacturers respond quickly to market shifts, fluctuations in production demands, and financial planning needs.

Struggling with an Outdated ERP?

As businesses expand, either through sales growth, new product lines, new locations or acquisitions, outdated systems struggle to keep up. Instead of streamlining operations, they can create inefficiencies, disrupt workflows, and hinder decision-making. ERP failure rates are alarming. Gartner research predicts that by 2027, more than 70% of recently implemented ERP initiatives will fail to fully meet their original business case goals.

Many companies invest heavily in ERP systems expecting seamless operations, only to face ongoing inefficiencies, misaligned workflows, and lack of user adoption. Without the right implementation strategy, even the most advanced ERP can become a costly burden.

For companies facing these challenges, an external advisor can be invaluable in selecting, implementing, and supporting the right ERP system—or in optimizing an existing one. The right team often comprises not only a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) but also an impartial external support team that stands by your side throughout the process. An external support team can help as an advisor and collaborator, leveraging experience to identify and analyze VARs tailored to industry and component needs.

Getting More from Existing ERP Systems

Not all manufacturers need a new ERP. Many manufacturers treat ERP as a one-time investment rather than an ongoing improvement process. As businesses scale, supply chains shift, and customer demands evolve, some companies’ best strategy is to better use their existing systems by optimizing configurations, improving integrations, and leveraging better reporting tools.

Optimizing an existing ERP system offers several potential benefits:

• Avoiding the expense and downtime of a new system.
• Enhance communication and integration across production, finance, and supply chain departments.
• Reduce bottlenecks by automating repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable resources.
• Access current data for informed, agile decision-making.
• Support scalability to meet your changing business needs.

By continuously refining their ERP system, manufacturers can get a more efficient, connected operation that keeps pace with business needs.

Choosing the Right ERP for Your Business

One of the steps to finding the right ERP system is choosing a deployment model that aligns with business operations and long-term goals. Businesses should carefully consider these important aspects:

1. Industry Fit – Does the system cater to manufacturing-specific processes?
2. Scalability – Can it support future growth, multi-site operations, and product expansion?
3. Integration Capabilities – Does it connect with existing or offer new WMS, MRP, CRM, and SCM functionality?
4. User-Friendliness – Is the system intuitive and easy to adopt?
5. Cloud vs. On-Premise – Which deployment model best fits IT resources and security needs?
6. Customization vs. Out-of-the-Box – Is there a balance between flexibility and ease of maintenance?
7. Real-Time Analytics – Does the system provide artificial intelligence (AI) driven insights and predictive analytics?
8. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) – Beyond upfront costs, what are the long-term expenses?
9. Compliance & Security – Does the system align with applicable laws and industry regulations?
10. Vendor Support – Is there non-biased implementation support and selection services, training, and system updates?

Case Study: How a Manufacturer Overcame ERP Challenges to Streamline Operations

The Struggle: An Investment That Wasn’t Paying Off

A major distributor operating in North and South Carolina had invested heavily in an ERP system, expecting seamless transaction processing and accurate inventory costing. Instead, the company faced persistent problems—daily transactions weren’t flowing correctly, cash reconciliations were off, and inventory wasn’t being costed properly.

Despite knowing something was wrong, the internal team lacked the software expertise to diagnose the issue, and the ERP vendor wasn’t familiar with the company’s specific business processes. Frustrated by inconsistent numbers and operational inefficiencies, executive management turned to Elliott Davis with a pressing question:

"We’ve made a significant investment in our ERP system, but our numbers don’t add up. Cash reconciliation is off, and inventory isn’t being costed correctly. What’s the problem?"

The Turning Point: Revealing Hidden Inefficiencies in ERP Workflows

Elliott Davis conducted a structured assessment to bridge the gap between the ERP system and the company’s business operations:

• System Review & Workflow Analysis – Evaluated the ERP’s file structure, reporting, and transaction flows across subsidiary and general ledgers.
• Identified Gaps – Pinpointed areas where misaligned system configurations were causing inefficiencies and errors.
• Process Optimization – Recommended best practices for daily workflows to improve ERP performance with minimal disruptions.
• Actionable Roadmap – Delivered a detailed plan with next steps to enhance system functionality and align it with business needs.

The Resolution: A Smarter, Faster ERP System

By implementing Elliott Davis’s recommendations, the manufacturer transformed its ERP system from a costly headache into a powerful business tool:

• Accurate Financials – Cash reconciliation and inventory costing issues are resolved, improving financial clarity.
• Enhanced Productivity – By addressing inefficiencies, teams now work more effectively without manual workarounds.
• System Alignment – The ERP now fully supports the company’s business processes, creating a seamless flow between technology, people, and operations.
• Cost Savings – Improved efficiency has led to tangible savings, boosting overall profitability.

With their ERP system seamlessly aligned with business operations, the company experienced renewed confidence in their financial data. Streamlined workflows improved efficiency, relieving leadership to shift focus from troubleshooting errors to driving growth.

Case Study: How a Manufacturer Transformed Its ERP for Growth

The Struggle: A Costly Investment Without Results

The leadership team at a consumables manufacturer had high hopes when they invested in a new ERP system to modernize operations across their 50 licensed locations and 5,000+ retailers. But despite the significant investment, the system wasn’t delivering as expected—particularly in the manufacturing and production module. Processes remained inefficient, data wasn’t flowing correctly, and teams struggled to fully adopt the new technology. As frustration grew, the company reached out to Elliott Davis for guidance, asking:

"We’ve invested heavily in this new ERP, but it’s not meeting our business needs. Can you help us leverage its full potential?"

The Turning Point: Next-Level ERP Performance

Rather than starting over, Elliott Davis worked closely with the company and its VAR to optimize the ERP for peak performance. Our approach focused on:

• System Assessment – Analyzed existing data structures and workflows to identify gaps in best practices.
• Technical Design Collaboration – Collaborated with the VAR to align the ERP configuration with business requirements.
• Process Optimization – Improved manufacturing and production workflows to improve efficiency.
• Data Migration & Accuracy – Inspected system configuration, corrected data mapping, and verified accurate downloads/uploads.
• User Training & Adoption – Conducted hands-on testing and training to build confidence and improve system usage.
• Ongoing Support & Monitoring – Participated in weekly status meetings, worked with management to adjust priorities, and advised on the first month-end close using the new ERP workflows.

The Resolution: A Streamlined ERP Fueling Business Growth

Through a structured approach, the company turned its ERP frustrations into a success story:

• Seamless ERP Implementation – The new system fully supports manufacturing and production needs.
• Process & Technology Alignment – Workflows, data, and people are working in sync.
• Data-Driven Decision Making – Leadership now has reliable reports and financial insights.
• Full User Adoption – Teams trust the updated system, efficiency across the board has improved.

Instead of struggling with an underperforming system, the manufacturer now has an ERP that works as intended—supporting operations, increasing efficiency, and positioning the business for long-term growth.

Why KPIs Matter for Decision-Makers

For business leaders and investors, timely, accurate data can mean the difference between securing a deal and missing out. Yet, in many companies, pulling essential financial reports or performance metrics can take two weeks or more, slowing decision-making and increasing risk.

A well-optimized ERP minimizes delays by:

• Delivering readily available, real-time data that enables Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) teams to tell the full story of the business
• Enhancing forecasting and investment decisions by equipping leaders with the information they need, when they need it
• Offering stronger insights for investors and stakeholders, driving strategic growth while reducing costly blind spots

With an optimized ERP, businesses no longer have to scramble for critical data. They can act quickly and confidently, seizing market opportunities instead of missing them.

We Can Help

An integrated ERP delivers real-time business insights, allowing for faster, data-driven decisions. However, software alone cannot eliminate inefficiencies. Success depends on proper implementation, training, and strategic alignment. Let Elliott Davis help you define your business requirements and tailor your software to support your goals.

Our services include support in:

• ERP selection to match manufacturing needs
• Implementation from planning to deployment
• System optimization for real-time data access

At Elliott Davis, we help businesses choose, implement, and optimize ERP systems that drive efficiency, financial clarity, and operational excellence. A well-structured ERP is a foundation for smarter, scalable growth.

Let’s build yours together.

The information provided in this communication is of a general nature and should not be considered professional advice. You should not act upon the information provided without obtaining specific professional advice. The information above is subject to change.