Extending ERP functionalities through Add-Ons

Building software is about understanding the manner and direction of designing a solution; some solutions have strengths in a few particular aspects, while some build all-around features applicable across industries. ERPs are feature-directed software; they ease operational overhead for businesses and enterprises. If one needs an accounting feature -that Sage Intacct is most optimized for- into their integrated Sage 300 system, they need to build the add-on that can support the currently installed system that addresses the gap that needs to be filled.

This blog explains why building purpose-driven add-ons that extend functionality is essential for business and how it solves specific use cases.

Why does software need an add-on?

Add-ons help businesses optimize the ERP by giving it specific accounting, manufacturing and distribution features. Depending on the needs, one can develop a purpose-driven add-on that gives functionality beyond the norm. While the off-the-shelf software is built for a macro-view of the business, one can use an add-on to make it specifically for the purpose.

Sage 300

It was previously known as Accpac and is the most well-rounded ERP in the market. It is the perfect business accounting system for small and medium-sized businesses(SME/SMB).

Sage 100

It is the mid-point between a comprehensive ERP like Sage 300 and an accounting-specific ERP software like Intacct. Its strengths lie in process management across accounting and manufacturing.

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is an ERP software specific for accounting but needs adjustments and utility extensions to suit the business needs and the problem at hand.

How does expertise matter in building purpose-driven software in the ERP ecosystem?

The process of building an add-on is like product development. Like every software product, you need clarity on simple points and follow a wireframe, for example:

1. The purpose of building it and the use case it solves.
2. The method and roadmap for making the solution.
3. The execution of the solution and testing the efficiency.
4. The removal of any data pitfalls within the system.

An add-on complements and enhances the ERP by implementing business processes not addressed in the ERP. For building one, the business needs a software development team that functions from a business perspective, can optimize ideas, and has software expertise that implements the promises.

Add-ons: The value proposition in extending utility

ERPs are a platform that can give a view of what’s happening in the organization. Let’s take the example from a logistics perspective; the add-on extends the business point of view from just the rudimentary numbers on sales or purchases to a complete control system on sales, purchases and inventory.

With the ERPs and add-ons, the idea is cohesion between operations and the needed results. Automate with the add-on and observe with the ERP through perfect implementation for cohesion. The following are a few examples of add-ons we’ve worked on for the logistics industry:

Digitizing operations with bar-code scanning- Add-on for Sage 300

• View data and understand the sales better when delivering products to customers’ needs faster.
• Get a complete view of daily, weekly and monthly stock transfers, along with the feature for stock shipment.

Order entry module in Sage Intacct- Automating invoices and receipts

• When a salesperson generates an invoice for sale, the order entry helps develop an invoice specific to the deal they made.
• In logistics, the commission is measured through different permutations and combinations of the same metric, depending on the demand and sale probability; a PO/OE/AR module helps in dispersing the money.

Multi-bin module for Sage 100- Strategizing the solution

• The multi-bin gives a dynamic view of the inventory and the position of each product in the warehouse.
• The view helps track, organize and establish control for date-tracking products that can be arranged according to dates.

CI Global: Finding problems, building solutions

From identifying the need, understanding the cause and breaking down the solutions, CI Global has led several projects with expertise that only grew with experience. With over 25 years of experience across industries as a software development team, we’ve worked on critical projects that later became features recognized by the ERP provider.

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