Plain English ERP guides for SMEs, from knowing when you have outgrown spreadsheets to choosing the right system and getting it running smoothly.
Purchase orders raised by email, approvals given in passing and deliveries checked against memory all cost money. This guide explains how purchase order management for small business keeps spending visible and under control.
Read the articleERP implementation for small business does not have to be a long, consultant heavy project. Here is what to expect, from mapping processes and cleaning data to training staff and support after go live.
Read the articleGood field service job management keeps every job moving from the first call to a paid invoice. Here is how to log, schedule, stock, sign off and bill jobs without the gaps that slow cash flow.
Read the articleIf spreadsheets and extra apps now fill the gaps around your accounts, you may have outgrown Sage 50. Here are the warning signs and the three realistic routes open to a growing business.
Read the articleChoosing an ERP system is a decision most owners make only once or twice. These are the questions on fit, cost, implementation, support, data and growth that separate a good fit from an expensive mistake.
Read the articleAn honest look at cloud ERP security for SME owners and IT leads: where data is hosted, controlling who sees what, backups, and the questions to ask any provider before you sign.
Read the articleWhat workflow automation for small business looks like in practice, why bolt-on tools get messy, and how to build your own task types, stages and rules inside your ERP.
Read the articleA practical guide to stock control for small business: getting counts right, setting reorder points, managing several locations and knowing when spreadsheets have had their day.
Read the articleERP vs CRM explained for growing businesses: what each system does, where they overlap, the gaps a standalone CRM leaves, and when CRM built into your ERP makes more sense.
Read the articleFeel like you have outgrown Xero? Often it is the rest of the business that has outgrown its spreadsheets and add-ons. Here are your options, including running ERP alongside Xero.
Read the articleERP cost is about far more than the monthly licence. This guide explains what drives the price of ERP for UK SMEs, the hidden costs to plan for, and how to judge cost against the value it returns.
Read the articleERP used to be something only large corporations could take on. This plain English guide explains what ERP for small business means, what it replaces and why modular cloud systems have changed the picture.
Read the articleDuplicate data entry, conflicting file versions and no live view of stock or cash are all signs your business has outgrown spreadsheets. Here is what they cost you and what moving to one system involves.
Read the articleAn SME usually needs an ERP system when spreadsheets and separate apps start costing more time than they save. Common signs include rekeying data between systems, stock and invoices that do not match, slow month end reporting and processes that depend on one person. ERP for SMEs solves this with one connected system.
ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is software that brings the core parts of a business into one system: customers, sales, stock, purchasing, people and finance. For a business it replaces a patchwork of spreadsheets and separate apps, so everyone works from the same live figures instead of copying data between tools.
Costs depend on the number of users, the modules you need, setup and support. Central ERP has a Free plan, then Standard at £40 and Complete at £80 per user per month, excluding VAT. When comparing systems, include implementation, training and the time your team currently loses to rekeying data, not just the licence price.
Yes. Many growing businesses keep Xero for their accounts and add an ERP system for everything around the books, such as customers, stock, jobs and purchasing. Central ERP connects to Xero through its API, so financial data flows across without double entry and your finance team keeps working the way it does today.
For a business, ERP setup is measured in weeks rather than months. Central ERP setup and configuration typically takes two to four weeks, depending on complexity. Most of that time goes on mapping your processes, preparing your data and training your team, so planning those steps early keeps the project on track.
CRM manages customer relationships: contacts, conversations, quotes and your sales pipeline. ERP runs the wider business, including stock, orders, purchasing, finance and people. A standalone CRM cannot see what a customer has ordered or still owes. When CRM is built into ERP, your sales team sees the full picture without switching systems.
We publish new ERP guides for SMEs regularly, covering topics such as choosing a system, controlling stock, automating workflows and keeping cloud software secure. Sign up to the newsletter at the bottom of any page to hear when new articles go live, or book a demo if you would like advice on your own business.
