In this exclusive interview with Commercial Integrator, Joel Harris of Solutions360 discusses the nuances of unified ERP platforms today. Moreover, Harris explains how integrators benefit from them. Harris serves as president of Solutions360, a leading provider of professional services automation software.
Solutions360 Describes Unified ERP Platforms as a ‘Source of Truth’
According to Harris, a unified ERP means one system of record — one source of truth — across your entire business. That avoids having five or six different systems (e.g., CRM, accounting, quoting, project management, service) whose data rarely lines up. With a unified ERP, like Q360, all those functions are connected through one workflow and one database. Thus, everyone is looking at the same information.
Later in the interview, Harris reflects on one company that he worked with, doing about $150 million annually, that found 6% of material was ordered incorrectly due to conflicting data between sales, purchasing and customer expectations. That kind of waste affects profitability, he stresses, and it creates major operational headaches. Eliminating all the chaos, by contrast, unlocks a new level of productivity.
When customers implement a tool like Q360, Harris says, the visibility they gain is immediate. Of course, there’s a learning curve with new workflows. However, according to Harris, leadership benefits right away by being able to see real-time data across the business. And once teams get comfortable with the system, collaboration improves, errors go down and decisions get better.
Later in the discussion, Harris opines on how a system like Q360 turns data into real business intelligence. If an integration business leader schedules their material and labor in Q360, they get visibility into their future revenue recognition. That tells that business leader whether they’re on target — or if they need to pull work forward, adjust staffing or cut costs.
To watch the full interview with Solutions360 and to learn more about ERP platforms and their benefits, check out the embedded Q&A! You can watch the full conversation below.
