Firms donot realize ERP value in customer delight – Epicor

Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, announced that a new IDC Manufacturing Insights report has uncovered how important a customer-oriented strategy is for successful manufacturers.

The report also discovered just how crucial enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are in helping all manufacturers improve their customer experience, from those that are only just starting out to those that already have a deep customer-oriented culture in place.

In the brand new white paper for manufacturers, entitled "Get Customers Inspired: How Modern ERP Can Support Greater Customer Experience," IDC Manufacturing Insights surveyed over 460 enterprises across multiple sectors including industrial machinery and equipment, high-tech and metal fabrication, covering 13 countries worldwide.

"The research revealed that many manufacturers have an immature understanding of how a customer-oriented strategy can be implemented within an organization," said Pierfrancesco Manenti, head of IDC Manufacturing Insights research practice in Europe, Middle East & Africa.

"Manufacturers need to move along the spectrum for maturity in order to continue to stay competitive. This is especially important in more mature or developed markets where relationships and service levels have now become crucial differentiators. We advise manufacturers with less than inspiring customer service to take a good look at how their systems and processes can be improved to better support a customer-oriented strategy."

Manenti explained, "Many companies continue to describe good customer experience in terms of products or service features and functions rather than the service level that they deliver at any touch point during the entire relationship.

"This includes, for example, the ability to deliver the perfect order - right quality, quantity, location, and due date - and the range of aftermarket services supporting the initial product. An enhanced customer experience paves the way for customer loyalty and longer lasting relationships between supplier and purchasers, a win-win situation for all parties."

ERP as a Key Tool in Delivering Good Customer Experience

The research also uncovered that manufacturers can improve the customer experience by investing in a modern, fully integrated, flexible and easy to use ERP system that streamlines operational processes and connects back office with front office by offering integrated CRM, warranty and aftermarket functionality.

"We have known for a long time that ERP software can help organizations significantly reduce costs and improve profitability," said John Hiraoka, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Epicor. "But the importance of this survey is that it confirms the critical role ERP plays in improving overall customer experience -- one of the top business initiatives for manufacturers worldwide.

"It shows the clear link between successful manufacturers and their understanding and use of ERP as a strategic tool for delivering a superior customer experience. The real winners are the businesses that shift their focus from inward to outward: moving beyond better price and availability to improved service levels, reliability and relationships.

"The most successful manufacturers choose ERP solutions that enable an easy evolution through the customer experience maturity model. New levels of agility, flexibility and ease of use in modern ERP systems make it possible for businesses to transition without having to reinvest heavily as needs change and the business grows."