Rightly considered indispensable by many professionals, ERP software offers features that are extremely effective, whatever the field of activity is concerned. Of course, any winery can take advantage of these digital tools to improve its operations. Read on to learn how an ERP system could help improve the bottom line in your winery.
ERP in a nutshell
ERP stands for “Enterprise Resource Planning“. If you’re new to the digital world, these terms may seem complex. However, a short definition could sum them up:
“An ERP makes it possible to centralize several types of data in order to improve the internal structure of a company, corporation or organization while strengthening its competitive performance.”
Of course, there are some ERP software programs that sometimes offer exclusive features in order to manage:
- Financial data and accurate accounting
- The entire supply chain
- Manufacturing operations through the automation of various processes
- Project planning
- Effective follow-up as well as seamless communication with customers
Considering these features, does it make sense to use winery ERP software? Absolutely. Indeed, this type of software is perfectly suited for any winemaker, wine broker, or wine estate.
Wine accounting software allows a farmer to manage all his activity from A to Z. The goal of a wine-growing ERP is to manage all the information coming from a farm, in order to have a clear and precise vision on what happens every day. This ranges from inventory management to accounting and customer relations. All the management of the business can be done very simply with one person.
Why use winery ERP software?
No matter the scope of your operations, effective inventory management is essential for ensuring your production while retaining your customers, whatever the vintage or the classification of each of your products. The so-called “traditional” methods are prone to a number of problems where merely an incorrect or inaccurate entry can quickly lead to disaster.
In addition, the winemaking sector is subject to rules that are as strict as they are necessary in order to track your workflow as well as your Monthly Stock Declarations. As such, many professionals in the wine industry regularly deal with time-consuming manual data entry.
The use of ERP software makes it possible to address these issues thanks to its, particularly useful features.
The main features of a winery ERP system
Although the definition of a winery ERP system can be summed up in a few words, its many features can often exceed the expectations of novices in the business world. Here is a summary of the relevant modules for any winemaker or wine broker.
Financial management
Simplifying the closing of accounts is one of the most effective features of a winery ERP system. Professionals, therefore, benefit from increased visibility regarding the performance of their operations in order to define the best strategies that are in keeping with the forward plan. It goes without saying that informed decision-making and financial report generation will provide significant advantages to professionals in the wine industry.
Supply management
When demand requires a rapid and decisive response, there is nothing more penalizing than an inventory management system that could be improved. The use of winery ERP software provides detailed information in real-time in order to limit this type of situation for optimum cost-effectiveness.
Managing your warehouse
Like supply management, the warehouse storage of a wine maker’s final products requires meticulous accounting and cash flow monitoring. Thanks to the centralization of this data from your ERP module, you will be able to efficiently manage all the relevant data.
Sales/marketing tools
Finally, another considerable advantage offered by a winery ERP system will be in terms of your strategic services and marketing approaches (traditional or digital). However, some features can be exclusive; therefore, the ERP system that you choose will be crucial for selecting which features to take advantage of.
Distinct advantages for professionals
Analyze your inventory in real-time
ERP systems enable professionals to analyze their inventory in real-time in order to carefully fine-tune their operations. Needless to say, with this precious feature, winemakers will have no trouble in determining the necessary flow during the procurement or sales process.
Clear, accurate, and transparent accounting
In addition to analyzing your inventory, ERP software will enable you to establish a clear, accurate, and transparent accounting system without latency. You will benefit from a global vision of your operations thanks to perfectly ordered financial data that is updated following each flow. Monthly Stock Declarations (“déclarations récapitulatives mensuelles “, DRM), as well as each Gamma remote electronic procedure (“téléprocédure Gamma”), will be simplified.
Centralize all relevant data
As competition becomes increasingly fierce, no relevant data can be overlooked. A winery ERP system lets you computerize and centralize all your entries. Each internal actor in your company or corporation will then be able to access this precious information according to the authorizations initially granted. As you can see, winery ERP software is effectively a secure and fully customizable communication tool; saving time and eliminating data entry errors will strengthen your operations.
Diversification of your sales channels
In recent years, the term “cross-channel” concerns the vast majority of business activities … And the wine sector is no exception. Being present on each virtual or physical front is indeed crucial in order to develop your clientele. In this aspect, a winery ERP system will play an important role in enabling you to diversify your sales channels while automating many tasks. Once again, this timer saver will be a distinct advantage for your operations.
Managing wine futures
Wine futures can often be decisive for winemakers. Yet, regardless of how competitive or attractive a product is, unsound and improper management will lead to questionable results. In this context, Winery ERP software will enable you to develop and implement optimal solutions.
Careful monitoring at every stage of the bottling process
Bottling is the result of hard work. However, this process relies on careful analysis that ensures product compliance as well as the controlled delivery of your products. The automation of entries once again constitutes a significant advantage by facilitating data processing/entry all while mitigating errors.
Managing pick-ups and parcel shipments
Pick-ups, packing, and tracking of the products shipped can “make the difference” in the eyes of your customers … While avoiding losses. A winery ERP system centralizes this information in order to conduct specific analyses.
Improving your customer relations
While the advantages mentioned above promote the internal organizational structure of wineries, they can also improve customer relations. Check-in in real time the availability of products, adjust a price according to a profile, provide precise information in a few clicks … Whatever the current situation of your company or corporation, a winery ERP system will effectively address the many issues associated with traditional management methods.
Business Central: a smart choice for your winery ERP software
Among the different solutions available, Microsoft’s ERP Business Central stands out as an ideal choice in the wine sector. Indeed, by integrating a suite of complete and accessible modules, this ERP manages to attract many diverse wineries year after year. In addition, the compatibility of Business Central with other popular software will ensure optimal results without requiring multiple migrations. As such, migration is sometimes a daunting process for professionals. With Gestisoft, it doesn’t have to be.
Choose Gestisoft for quick, concrete, and optimal results
“Is this the right time for my business? What about my current database?”
The migration in favor of new software solutions such as Business Central could raise many questions… And that is quite natural. Gestisoft offers you personalized support based on your business operations in order to ensure quick, concrete, and maximum optimization of your monthly results. In doing so, every stage of implementation will first be presented to you while limiting the costs incurred. One of our priorities is to bring your current database into compliance, which is accomplished through a simple and secure process.
Do you have a question about Business Central and would like to find out about the services offered by Gestisoft? Do not hesitate to contact us on the CONTACT US section of our website. We will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible!
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August 20, 2021 by Frédéric Charest by Frédéric Charest VP of Marketing
Data-driven Growth Marketer with a Passion for SEO - Driving Results through Analytics and Optimization