How to Design an ERP System?

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a powerful tool for managing several business requirements. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, ERP systems have become increasingly important for organizations to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. After ERP implementation, 49% of companies stated improved working processes. Without a coherent ERP UI/UX design, it’s impossible. User experience makes the workflow convenient, and the productivity level goes up.

The ERP system is a complex platform that needs to be used to its full potential. To achieve it, you should focus on user-centered design. Let’s talk about how you can improve your capabilities with the help of qualitative user experience.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is software companies use to manage and plan the essential parts of their business. ERP systems connect various business processes and allow data to flow between them. You can implement the ERP system locally or use cloud storage, depending on your needs and preferences. It’s also crucial to understand that the ERP system integrates all business processes and ensures the data streams smoothly between them. As a result, the organization can function as a well-coordinated mechanism.

There are plenty of things that ERP helps to manage. Let’s look at them:

• Financial Accounting
• Human resources
• Workflow management
• Order processing
• Supply chain management
• Project management
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Data services

The complexity of the ERP system depends on your business needs. As a result, the range of functions can be bigger or smaller.

The UX design is an inseparable part of the clear and noticeable product. Let’s continue discussing it.

Consider creating an ERP app? Look at the mobile application design services we provide.

Today, the impact of ERP in the business world is undeniable. ERP systems are challenging to create, but these complex platforms help many companies be more profitable. ERP UX design enhances this opportunity. When designed right, an ERP speeds up the processes instead of slowing them down due to their complexity.

What are the benefits of a great ERP UX design?

• You just saw how many operations the ERP system handles. Excellent user experience helps to deal with these complex tasks.
• Your employees can perform tasks much faster with a user-friendly ERP UX/UI design. The ERP system does it naturally, but thoughtful design improves this capability.
• As we already mentioned, the system will be used in many fields of work. Comprehensive UX design lets this multifunctional process go smoothly.
• An ERP system can provide real-time access to customer data, allowing customer service representatives to quickly respond to customer needs and inquiries.
• The system ensures data is consistent and up-to-date across different business functions, making informed decisions and improving the accuracy of financial reporting.
• An ERP system helps manage resources, such as human capital, more effectively by providing tools for tracking employee performance, managing benefits, and monitoring compliance with labor laws.

Look at the UX/UI design services we provide.

Such versatile software takes more time to develop than any other platform, but the design process is similar. Take your time while planning the project. Every step of development will affect the final result.

Step 1. Conduct research

The users’ needs are crucial. Analyzing their behavior on the platform is the best way to meet the expectations. Since the scope of use will differ depending on the specialty of the field of work, there are some ways to research users:

• Convey surveys or organize interviews. Communicate with users to understand them better. As a result, you can see what improvements your ERP system needs.
• This is a great way to research if you have an analytics tool implemented in the existing ERP system. You’ll know what features are the most popular or what to do to make the use more comfortable.

User research helps to design user-centered solutions rather than the organization’s needs. Knowing your target audience can help identify ERP interface design usability issues and suggest ways to improve the user satisfaction level.

Market research is an essential part of designing the ERP. Look at your competitors, find their mistakes, and create an outstanding product. It also helps to identify customer needs and preferences, which can be used in the ERP UI design. Market research helps to identify trends and changes in customer behavior so that you can develop a future-proof and adaptable to changing market conditions platform.

Step 2. Establish your goals

The designing process is much easier when you have defined goals. Imagine every perspective, and think through every detail to make the developing process go smoothly. Establishing goals helps ensure the ERP system is aligned with your business strategy. Focus on critical business processes to design an ERP system that is tailored to the specific needs. Prioritize the system features that help achieve your business objectives. As a result, you’ll get the ERP design strategy that offers the most value.

You can start by researching an existing ERP UX design to identify the main problems that need to be solved. Next, connect the collected users and market information with possible solutions. Don’t forget to determine priorities. Make a list of the goals you want to achieve, and sort them by the most crucial ones.

Step 3. Provide ideas

You have all the information collected at this stage and can start planning with the design team. Brainstorm the thoughts of possible design options, and offer something you found while researching the market. Based on your suggestions, the designers will help you to create a unique product. Remember that the product must combine functionality with a user-friendly design.

Step 4. Create Prototypes

With all things considered, the design team can start developing the project. The ERP is a multifunctional system, so the design takes time. Be ready to test various prototypes to be sure everything works perfectly and satisfies the users. Start by identifying the key requirements and features of the ERP system that you need to include in the prototype, which can be done through user research, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of business processes.

Now, you are ready to test the prototype with end-users and stakeholders to get feedback on the system’s design and functionality. Once the basic prototype has been tested and refined, create a high-fidelity prototype including more detail and functionality.

Designing this kind of system takes work. Think through all the possible troubles and misunderstandings to develop a worthy product.

Here is the list of the ERP design principles. Follow them to create a perfect and functional platform.

Create easy navigation

User-friendly navigation is what helps users explore the platform freely. People expect you to offer them familiar software interfaces because they have specific mental models in their minds. The working process needs to be seamless for the new users. Based on this, ERP’s navigation should be intuitive. Look from all perspectives to find a solution, and design a manageable software.

Organize navigation elements logically so that users can find what they are looking for without effort. Use a consistent layout for all navigation elements throughout the ERP system allowing users to learn to navigate the platform quickly. You may consider providing contextual help within the ERP system to guide users through complex processes or unfamiliar features. This method reduces frustration and increases user confidence.

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Stick to simplicity

An easy and understandable design is your way to success. You’ll meet every user’s expectations by creating a minimalistic platform. Overwhelming systems only confuse users, so stick to moderate ERP interface design. A simple approach will reduce system complexity and thus increase productivity.

Identify the core functions the ERP system needs to perform and make them as simple and user-friendly as possible. A consistent ERP user interface design is critical. This way users can understand the working processes faster. Stick to your brand identity and use the same icons, labels, and colors.

Read also: What Is Minimalist Web Design?

Optimize the search and filter

Time is valuable, so optimize the search and filter tools to help your employees work more productively. Users won’t spend an enormous time finding the desired stuff, which allows your profitability. Don’t forget that the ERP system contains plenty of important information. Your task is to find the fastest way to reach it. Here are some ideas on how you can implement it in your ERP design layout:

• Provide advanced search options to allow users to filter by multiple criteria or to search for specific keywords within fields.
• Use autocomplete functionality to help users find information faster.
• Allow users to customize their views of search and filter results so they focus on the most relevant information for their needs.
• Provide real-time search results.
• Use clear and descriptive labels for search and filter tools so that users understand their purpose and how to use them.

Designers can create an intuitive and efficient system that is intuitive by optimizing these tools in the ERP design.

Make ERP software customizable

Your ERP system is used for many needs, and the variety of functions will only disturb some users. Personalization helps to find an efficient solution to this problem. Here, the results of the users’ interviews may come in handy. Experts in different fields use the platform for their demands. Plan out how you can personalize the usage of ERP. Your employees will be able to create a productive atmosphere, and the effectiveness of your business will grow.

By providing a customizable ERP system, users are more likely to adopt the system and use it regularly. Users will feel invested in the system and use it to its full potential if they can personalize their experience. A customizable ERP system is adapted to changing business needs, allowing organizations to evolve and grow without rebuilding their systems completely. It saves time and money in the long run, as organizations can adjust their ERP platforms as needed rather than invest in entirely new strategies.

Visualize data

The users will need help to look through the piles of numbers. To avoid this, visualize the necessary data. The extensive ERP system can benefit from using this feature. Custom dashboards allow the selection of vital information. Besides, employees will see the essentials on the screen, saving them time.

Select the appropriate data visualization. It can include bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, and more. Choose the visualization type based on the data and message you want to convey. Avoid cluttering the visualization with too much info. Keep the visuals simple and easy to read, with clear visual cues. You can implement color to highlight critical data. However, be careful with the variety of colors, as this can overwhelm and confuse users.

ERP UX design is critical for your company. If you haven’t implemented this software into your business, don’t waste your time and do this. UX/UI design speeds up your business processes, which is very beneficial. Productiveness and efficiency are one step closer to you with the comprehensive ERP system design.

Contact us to start developing the product together. You can find our works on Dribbble. The experts from Gapsy will help you achieve the desired result!