Are you getting the most out of your Syspro system—or are you allowing teams to set up shadow systems?

Shadow systems are real. It’s when someone on the shop floor decides that the ERP is too hard to learn, so they set up a spreadsheet to track their numbers. Then someone else decides they need a special report, so they begin pulling data files from the ERP and running them through spreadsheets to create a graph. Pretty soon, managers notice how many special spreadsheets there are and ask, “What’s the problem?”

“The system doesn’t do what we want!” the team cries, and managers huddle to discuss finding the next software application that will fix the problem.

Instead of looking outside the company, look within. Look within the Syspro system you’ve already invested in. Chances are you're only using a fraction of its powerful applications.

Three Steps to Get More from Your Syspro System

Syspro is one of the most powerful enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems on the market. Syspro specializes in manufacturing and distribution and has developed a purpose-built platform for manufacturers. This means it’s designed for how manufacturers and distributors run their businesses. If you’re not getting what you need from it, explore these three options.

Clean Up Your Data

Even the best ERPs underperform when their data is inconsistent. Take a good look at your data. Standardize naming conventions and ensure that your company’s data dictionary is up to date. Then, take time to train those doing data entry into the system on how it should be entered to ensure consistency.

You may need help from an external company to clean and standardize your data. Removing duplicates, updating customer addresses, and similar data updates can be automated through third-party companies. Clean, standardized data ensures better reports.

Revisit Configurations and Workflows

Revisiting your ERP configuration is about ensuring the system matches how your business actually works today, not how it worked when you first set it up. Over time, processes evolve, teams change, and new needs emerge, yet the ERP often remains frozen in its original configuration. A quick process review usually reveals steps that could be automated, features you never turned on, or workflows that no longer fit how people really do their jobs.

When you tune the system to match reality, such as adding the dashboards people wish they had, streamlining the clicks, switching on modules you’re already paying for, the whole thing suddenly feels more useful and a lot less frustrating. And the solution to the problem that your team brings you may be as simple as turning on a feature that already exists inside your Syspro system.

Revisit Team Training

How long has it been since your team attended training on the Syspro system? Training isn’t once and done. Many companies invest in training when a new system is installed, then let training fall by the wayside later.

The problem with conducting only one training session upon implementation is that, over time, people forget the system features they aren’t using. Adults learn by doing, and if team members aren’t using features regularly, they’ll forget about them.

Another problem with hosting just one training session is that as people retire or leave your company, institutional knowledge goes with them, including the training they had on the Syspro system. Newcomers to the company may not receive the same training, resulting in less knowledge over time.

The system may not be the problem. Lack of knowledge could be the real cause of people’s frustration. Schedule refresher training and then put it on the calendar at regular intervals to ensure everyone keeps their skills sharp.

You Don’t Need a New ERP, Just a New Perspective

Often, the solution to a problem is right in front of you. When it comes to the problem of “The ERP isn’t giving us what we need!” the solution may be right in front of you. Instead of searching for new and improved software, taking a new approach and improving training may be just what you need to get more from your Syspro system investment.

Manufacturing System Consultants

Positive Vision is a Chicago-area ERP consulting firm with experience helping manufacturers solve problems with the right software and strategy. We would be happy to assist you in choosing the right ERP for your business and ensure its launch is smooth and effective. Contact us to speak to one of our product experts about a customized solution today.

Linda Baran

Linda Baran is in charge of the people side of PositiveVision. Linda’s background includes working in a variety of industries including investment, manufacturing, and information technology.