What to look for in an ERP?

The promise of an ERP capable of connecting all business processes and acting as a single source of truth often falls short, especially when it comes to small and medium-sized enterprises. Conventional solutions often impose rigid rules, forcing SMEs to adapt to technology rather than the other way around. However, Foundry’s Spotlight report, developed in partnership with Etendo, shows that it is possible: SMEs can access a flexible, customized, AI-powered tool that truly supports and accelerates their growth.

In today’s competitive and constantly changing environment, SMEs need more than management software; they need a growth tool. Etendo responds to this demand with a modular and customisable architecture, which allows each company to adjust the tool to their needs, always maintaining control over their operations and adapting to the speed that the business needs.

One of the examples detailed in the Foundry report is the case of food distributor Samuels & Son, whose frustrating experience with a rigid ERP nearly crippled its operation. By implementing a system that could not be tailored to their specific processes, they saw order fulfillment and invoicing become real bottlenecks. Such stories are common among SMEs, which often find themselves tied to limiting systems. Etendo, on the other hand, is designed to evolve together with its customers, without imposing obstacles.

What differentiates Etendo from other ERPs?

Unlike traditional ERP systems, which tend to become obsolete quickly in a dynamic market, Etendo is a system built on a philosophy of flexibility and modularity. This means that SMEs do not have to commit to a rigid solution or suffer from costly and complex custom developments. With Etendo, each module is easily integrated with other systems, allowing companies to grow without the limitations of conventional ERP.

This modular approach, compared in the report to a ‘business software LEGO’, means that functions and capabilities are added or subtracted according to business needs. Is the company expanding into new markets? Does it need to integrate a new warehouse or supplier? With Etendo, SMEs can respond to these changes without major disruptions to their processes and workflows.

Generative AI: the new ERP advantage

One of Etendo’s most innovative features is its integration with generative AI, which transforms the way employees interact with the system. In many SMEs, employees are experts in their fields, but do not always have the technical knowledge to operate a complex ERP. Etendo’s generative AI turns the system into an intuitive assistant, allowing employees to interact in natural language. They can easily enter and extract data, focusing on strategic tasks without wasting time on manual data entry.

This not only increases productivity, but also allows all employees, from operational to administrative, to take full advantage of the technology, making the ERP adapt to the team, not the other way around. This empowerment goes beyond traditional systems and gives SMEs a competitive advantage in terms of efficiency and adaptability.

How to choose an ERP?

Foundry’s report details the key criteria for an SME to choose an ERP that truly supports its growth. These factors focus not only on the tool itself, but also on how it impacts the business and its future evolution:

1. Affordable customisation: It is essential that ERP allows for quick customisations without relying on external developers, giving companies full control over their technology.
2. Modular and scalable design: A module-based ERP makes it possible for the company to grow and change without unnecessary burdens, only activating the functions it needs at each stage.
3. Full integration: Both internally and externally, an ERP should facilitate collaboration and information exchange with other systems and strategic partners, avoiding data silos.
4. Accessible and user-friendly technology: Etendo’s generative AI simplifies the user experience, making it possible for any employee, regardless of their technical expertise, to maximize their productivity in the system.

The key to sustainable, constraint-free growth is an ERP that understands the real needs of SMEs. With Etendo, digital transformation is affordable, scalable and designed to last.