Supply chain management professionals know the essentiality of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): these software systems automate everything from procurement, inventory, and financials, as well as assist with customer relations and human relations. Of those programs, JD Edwards (JDE) is the most well-respected, being used in thousands of organizations worldwide thanks to its ease of use and comprehensive functionality. This blog give an overview of Supply Chain Management With JDE Managed Services
Utilizing JDE can assist with reducing inventory to remain more agile, organizing logistics, and maintaining great vendor relationships, but it can only do so if skillfully implemented and maintained by a professional team. This is where JDE managed services come in, improving operations and preventing expensive downtime. What are managed services, why are they essential, and how do you pick a good service provider? We’ll discuss everything you need to know about this powerful consulting strategy.
Managed Services Providers Reduce Your Overhead While Maximizing Productivity
Many companies already recognize the benefits of partnering with local IT companies in their area for daily computing needs. This is especially true for small businesses that do not have the funds necessary to maintain a full-time staff dedicated to troubleshooting software and managing infrastructure. Managed IT services are truly a godsend for companies that need agile, reliable IT assistance on a budget, especially as they have excellent response times and provide access to emerging technologies that small business owners may not even be aware of. Their speedy, expert guidance can make a major difference in the quality of service provided by companies, especially those outside of the tech industry. The cost for these managed services varies by location. For example, Calgary managed IT services cost between $150 and $400 CAD per user per month, while there is a wider spread of costs in America, running from anywhere between $100 and $1,000 USD per user per month.
However, managed IT service companies do not always provide service for JD Edwards and other ERP software, as they are more focused on troubleshooting things like data backups, password recovery, and other day-to-day needs. Those running JDE will need additional support that is specifically focused on this particular facet of business planning.
While JDE and other ERP software is an incredible benefit to any organization, it does take time to set up and maintain; if you utilize in-house support, this means divesting resources from other valuable projects, and this can cost you greatly in the long run. More than that, learning the program and being able to intervene when problems arise takes time and training, which also necessitates resource allocation away from your primary tasks.
Using JDE Managed Services from a provider such as GSI services enables you to get high-quality management without sacrificing essential time on other business needs, ensuring that all of your employees can remain entirely focused on their own tasks. You’ll get the benefit of their years of experience at a fraction of the cost it would take to educate your own employees, while at the same time ensuring that all of your own staff will be available should there be an issue with anything outside of the ERP software.
Enjoy Better Response Time and Faster Resolution of Issues
Managed service providers are there for you 24/7 – an essential consideration for a supply chain management professional.
Your supply chain is likely working around the clock, but your subject matter experts may not be available all day and night. If only one of your employees is trained in JDE and the system experiences a problem in the middle of the night, you may have to wait hours before your team can resume their tasks. Given how expensive it is to train every employee on every facet of your ERP, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to devote the time and resources to ensure everyone is familiar with every aspect of your system, which can lead to serious issues. Supply chain disruptions don’t just harm you, but the entire economy, so you can’t let a lack of training scuttle your success.
In contrast, a managed services provider can quickly and promptly answer your inquiries, generally within a timeframe of five minutes or less. This way, your team will get the responses they need to take care of any problem as it occurs, which prevents major hangups and serious downtime that can result if something happens during off-peak hours, such as at midnight or on a weekend.
You’ll Never Fall Afoul of Regulations When Relying on Experts
Every industry has different regulations, and supply chain management is no different – especially those contracting with governments, public entities, and hospital systems. Every part of your system must comply with the standards set out by regulatory bodies, or you face a serious risk of major fines and even slowed work processes as you work to get your systems into compliance.
When you work with a managed services provider, you can be sure that your JDE software will meet the expectations of your vendors, supplies, and any regulatory bodies that oversee your industry. This provides both immense peace of mind and great security, assuring you that you can pass any audits that may come your way.
Get Better Insights into Your Processes to Streamline Delivery
Every company can improve somehow, and supply chain management companies are no different. However, it can be difficult to actually see the forest for the trees when you’re on the ground, working tirelessly to provide good service.
Managed service providers can give an outside perspective into how your systems are running; they have tools such as AI-enhanced analysis to identify issues with your infrastructure or processes, allowing prompt intervention before serious concerns arise. You may not have even realized there was a potential slowdown or a malfunctioning application before they alert you to the issue, which means you’re far less likely to experience any issue that can imperil your supply chain.
Managed Service Providers Allow You to Focus on Success, Not Software
When it comes to the highly competitive world of logistics and supply chains, you need every advantage you can get. JDE managed services is a fantastic way to enhance your productivity, but you need to leverage it to maximum effect – and managed services allow you to do so at a fraction of the cost it would take to handle in-house. If you’ve already implemented an ERP and want to take it to the next level, consider partnering with a managed services provider to do even more with this tool.
