Resolving Business Silos with Fully Integrated Platforms
To some, “silo syndrome” sounds like a malady affecting the farm structures that store grain, but, to those in the business world, it is a very real and concerning problem caused by business silos. According to Investopedia, business silos are “business divisions that operate independently and avoid sharing information. [The term] also refers to businesses whose departments have [siloed] system applications in which information cannot be shared because of system limitations.” In farm silos, separating the grain from the air is the desired outcome, but the separation that occurs with business silos is not. When departments are completely disconnected and do not share information with one another, there is a breakdown in communication and collaboration—two necessary components of a thriving business. Thankfully, silo syndrome can be resolved. Modern technology, such as a cloud ERP solution, allows seamless business software integration between departments.
How Cloud ERP Eliminates Silos and Frees Your Teams
A cloud ERP system is a single, highly integrated platform designed to eliminate business silos. Every application you use—from a CRM system to a standalone accounting solution—can be connected to the ERP system, which acts as a centralized repository for company-wide data. Teams have easy access to shared data, and, because the solution is cloud based, they’re able to access that data at any time, from anywhere. Bringing every department and team onto the same platform throws the doors of communication wide open and greases the wheels of collaboration. Here are a few specific ways cloud ERP puts an end to “silo syndrome” and increases efficiency across the board.
- Information Sharing and Data Visibility
Data visibility gives managers, team leaders, and team members the accurate information they need to achieve company goals. Data collected from and shared with every department provides a complete view of customer information, of how well the organization is doing, and of what resources are on hand. Such a wealth of data is critical for breaking down silos and making informed business decisions. Basing decisions on accurate information reduces errors (and the time it takes to fix them), optimizes opportunities, and promotes confidence in team members.
- Financial Oversight
Automated financial reporting and analytics tools help companies make forecasts, monitor budgets, track discrepancies, remain compliant with governmental regulations, and so much more. With cloud ERP, the days of manually gathering and analyzing data are in the past. Such comprehensive financial oversight ensures accountability between accounting and finance teams and product/service teams. Together, these teams can strategically manage company funds, thus protecting—and increasing—the bottom line.
- Resource Management
To fulfill their objectives, businesses must effectively manage resource availability and use. Cloud ERP systems help companies plan, schedule, and distribute their resources (e.g., people, equipment, materials, etc.) from a single platform. You can quickly go from wondering if you have enough resources to fulfill orders and run your business to knowing if you do. Team members from every department can access accurate resource information from a centralized solution, and, from that same solution, they can communicate what they need and when they need it, encouraging collaboration and eliminating conflict.
Creating a Culture of Integration
From marketing and sales to accounting and leadership, all team members need information to do their jobs well. Unfortunately, disparate and disconnected systems create business silo environments. A lack of business software integration causes departments to isolate themselves, which can cut off the flow of information and make obtaining complete and accurate data a challenge. Different processes and business metrics and a lack of collaborative effort between departments result in:
- Conflict and miscommunication.
- Missed deadlines.
- Dissatisfied customers.
With the right cloud ERP system, team members have one platform that works for them as a “single source of truth.” They are able to both obtain and communicate information easily, encouraging a culture of integration and aligning everyone around the same objectives as a cohesive team.
How Acumatica Can Help
Acumatica is a future-proof and unifying cloud ERP solution that delivers a full suite of integrated business management applications. It also connects business processes via integrations with 80 diverse hardware and software systems (e.g., analytics and BI software, tax management software, inventory management and tracking systems, mobile devices and applications, and more). And Acumatica’s open APIs further ensure seamless integrations with valuable third-party applications. (The Acumatica Marketplace offers hundreds of applications designed to work with and to extend Acumatica’s modern business platform.) Data from these integrated solutions is synchronized and up to date, ensuring that you and your team members are always working with real-time, accurate information. If you’re struggling with silos and a disconnected, discontented team, then Acumatica can help. At MAE Business Systems, we chose to implement Acumatica as our business management solution, and it allows us to enjoy internal inventory management, powerful mobile solutions, a robust e-commerce platform, seamless omnichannel distribution across multiple digital platforms, and the ability to create, track, and complete new cases while in the field—all in one system. With the seamless business software integration brought by implementing Acumatica, we’ve eliminated business silos. We want to do the same for you. Contact our experts today, and let’s help your business expand with the power of cloud ERP software.