Should you have one software to manage all the processes within your business?
Imagine one enterprise-wide software used by your Finance team, Inventory, HR, and all the other departments.
The other option is that you have specialist software for every department.
Imagine each department is using specialist software. Each software is linked/integrated. So, the data can be interchanged among the systems.
Now, the question is:
Should you have one system or multiple integrated systems for your business?
And the answer is, – it depends. It depends on so many different factors.
But before you go any further, make sure your decision is based on your Business model, architecture and priorities. The technical factors should have minimal impact on this decision.
Here are a few examples that may help:
You may need specialist software for Asset Management, as you want to have an edge over your competitors – Business Priority.
Suppose your business is a group of diversified companies. In that case, you may need separate software for each type of business – Business Model.
You may want to buy and sell companies within the parent company. So, you may wish to have one software, Finance for all companies and specialist software for each company. – Business Architecture.
The point is that we should decide with the primary business lens and a secondary IT lens. If the software vendors approach you, you will likely get a solution that will best serve them, not you. So, research and discuss options with your staff, consultants and trusted partners to make the best decision for your business.
