ALC - s360

Enterprise Resource Planning + Business Process Management = Business Intelligence

A volatile market and a troubled economy are accelerating the need for small to medium-sized companies to contain and reduce costs. As a company reaches the tipping point in its growth, its effort to reduce costs and sustain or increase revenue and profits becomes contingent on its ability to maintain the level of visibility management enjoyed when it was a smaller organization. This challenge is exacerbated by growth, which adds complexity to the business. Systems that once supported the smaller organization begin to fail at an increasing rate, a phenomenon often described as ‘imploding under their own weight.’ Even a fast-growing company can easily go out of business if its revenues are increasing at a healthy rate but its infrastructure cannot keep up.

Implementing new software, or a root canal?

In a dynamic and competitive business landscape, a well-crafted financial plan is the cornerstone of success for system integrators, custom installers, and professionals in the audiovisual, security, and automation industries.

Lean is not just for manufacturers anymore, it’s an important concept for integration companies to start thinking about. Lean Methodologies bring together thinking about the delivery of customer value within the context of minimizing the use of resources in doing so. Fixating on efficiencies without an appreciation for the impact on the former is a recipe for disaster. Doing both together bolsters your value proposition and will increase margins as a desirable side effect. Who doesn’t want to go down that road?

By Brad Malone

Increasing complexity in the AV industry is driving integrators to look at process

A focus on process has not always been necessary for success, but it has long been a priority at Lone Star Communications. Ray Bailey, CEO, and Patt Bowles, Chief Operating Officer, share their thoughts on the company’s attention to process and how this drives customer satisfaction.

7 Reasons Why Systems Integrators NEED an ERP System

Why would a systems integrator need an ERP system? You’ve got enough on your plate without going through the trouble of finding and implementing a new system in your business. Even in these challenging times (cough supply chain cough), the business is moving along, seeing some growth, still getting orders, turning a profit, and generally getting by ok. So why rock the boat and spend time and money on a new system?

When Is It Time for an ERP Upgrade?

An ERP implementation can be costly and time-consuming. Deciding when to invest in a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software for your system integration business is a significant decision that can have a substantial impact on your operations and profitability. So, what can make an ERP worth the investment and why would someone need an ERP?

Most businesses have standalone software packages that act as repositories for data and to perform various job specific tasks. It’s common to end up with 3 or more separate systems, each essentially acting as a silo for information, making it difficult to correlate and reconcile your business data.

Knowing what to measure and asking the right questions before you begin your ERP deployment will guarantee your organization
reaps the tangible and intangible benefits that will improve your bottom line.

Many organizations erroneously decide the return on investment for their ERP implementation is negligible because they’ve fallen prey to the common pitfalls that stymie ROI during the deployment phase. But there is plenty of p