Do you feel like you're using too many apps? Do you find yourself jumping between several different pieces of software to complete a given task? Do you feel like you're wasting time and energy by entering information into multiple places?
If any of this sounds familiar, you might benefit from some all-in-one software packages. Also called enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, this type of software solution puts a number of related tools you use on a daily basis under one interface. Think of it as a software equivalent of a multi-tool.
ERP software varies greatly and can cover a wide range of needs. For example, a marketing and outreach ERP may include email marketing capabilities, a contact database, and website builder tools. A financial planning ERP like QuickBooks might help you create a budget, track your transactions, and more. A human resources ERP might cover payroll, time-off tracking, and benefits management. And so on.
ERP software is a broad term that encompasses numerous systems. Below, we explain the main categories for these systems.
This is the traditional way that ERP software gets categorized. It is based on the size of the company that is using it, as a larger company has more advanced needs. There are four tiers:
Deployment refers to how you set up and manage the ERP. There are three classifications for this:
ERP software can be specialized to help with one specific industry. These are some common specializations:
This guide looks at one industry in particular — nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits need accounting and marketing help like businesses, but they also need to fundraise, plan events, and store donor data. Nonprofit ERP solutions can help with some or all of these duties. And by helping with these duties, ERPs offer nonprofits the following advantages.
If you use different tools for your various technology needs, you're probably entering the same data into each one separately. With an all-in-one software package, you can keep your contacts' details in one centralized location so that you don't have to reenter them. This streamlines your campaigns, saving you time on day-to-day operations.
The costs associated with using many different apps can quickly add up. When you use multiple apps with overlapping functionality, you can end up spending more than you need to. You can usually get an ERP solution for less than the total of all these individual tools. A single subscription also ensures spending transparency because you make one payment to one provider.
ERP software comes with a few security benefits as well. First, when you have only one system storing personal data, hackers have fewer ways to access it. In addition, ERPs tend to have strong security measures in place since they are designed to store a lot of sensitive personal data. Take HubSpot, for example. HubSpot prioritizes security and privacy with password-protected pages, two-factor authentication, and other features.
And since an ERP keeps sensitive data in one place, you're able to keep tighter controls over who can access it. You can assign access privileges to each person based on what they need to do their job. This ensures that only certain individuals have access to sensitive information.
How often do you reset a password because you have too many to remember? With all-in-one software, you just have to keep track of a single password to access all the tools you use on a daily basis. And If a staff member's account does get compromised, you only have one account to shut down — you don't have to chase down multiple accounts across multiple systems.
When you onboard a new employee or volunteer, you no longer have to spend an hour (or more) explaining how to use each tool. Now, you just have to go over one system. This saves everyone time, letting you get back to your job faster and helping them get familiar with the tool faster.
For many organizations, ERP software is a more cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to having multiple tools to meet various needs. Get inspired and start exploring all-in-one tools.
Katie Gray is the head of content at Springly, which produces ERP software for nonprofits. TechSoup works with Springly to provide its member management software to eligible nonprofits at discounted rates.
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