Wouldn’t it be convenient if you could access some functions of the ERP system outside the office? You would be able to access information, view reports and analyze data on the move.
Stellt sich nur die Frage, wie sinnvoll eine mobile ERP-Lösung in der Praxis wirklich ist. Schließlich müssen viele komplexe Funktionen auf einem kleinen Display Platz finden. Geht das nicht zu Lasten der Benutzerfreundlichkeit? In diesem Artikel erfahren Sie, wieso Mobile ERP für Ihr Unternehmen in Zeiten von hohem Konkurrenzdruck nicht nur praktisch, sondern geradezu essenziell ist. Außerdem stellen wir Ihnen 10 Design-Kriterien vor, die eine mobile ERP-Applikation anwenderfreundlich machen.
What exactly is mobile ERP?
Mobile ERP refers to the mobile-capable version of an enterprise resource planning system. Users can access central business processes and company data using mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones. Access is possible with a native app installed on the device or with a web-based application that can be operated via the browser.
Advantages of Mobile ERP:
- Increased flexibility and freedom through location-independent working
- Increased efficiency outside the office
- Faster response and decision-making on the move
- More up-to-date information thanks to immediate data maintenance on site
- Improved customer experience through fast problem resolution
Also interesting: How can you benefit from mobile ERP access?
Mobile ERP is interesting for these business areas
Distribution
Mitarbeitende im Vertrieb profitieren in hohem Maße von mobilen ERP-Applikationen. Indem sie im Außendienst sofortigen Zugang zu Kunden- und Unternehmensdaten haben, können sie schnell reagieren und Kundenfragen umgehend beantworten. Ob Preise, Lagerbestände oder Rabatte: Mit einem Blick auf das Smartphone lassen sich souverän verbindliche Aussagen treffen. Zudem ist es möglich, Bestellungen und Aufträge vor Ort papierlos abzuwickeln.
Customer service
Customer service employees have access to maintenance and machine data at all times via Mobile ERP. They can immediately log, invoice and transmit their assignments. This enables them to complete work processes directly at the customer’s premises. Cumbersome, time-delayed order processing and data entry are subsequently eliminated.
Warehouse and logistics
A mobile-capable ERP system is also a major advantage in warehouse management and logistics. If incoming and outgoing goods are recorded digitally using barcode scanners, stock levels can be called up without delay. For your company, this means maximum transparency and traceability. Reliable demand forecasts are just as possible as precise statements on availability and delivery times.
As the order data is transmitted directly via the mobile device, paper pick lists are a thing of the past. This saves your company time, costs and resources.
Production
Employees in production halls can use mobile ERP to find out about production orders, material availability and production quantities at any time. Even details on individual parts and their stocks can be called up anytime and anywhere. Quickly available information on project progress and production statuses enables smooth planning and execution of production orders.
Other departments
Nowadays, mobile access to business data plays an important role not only for employees outside the office. As working from home has become established in many companies, mobile ERP is also very important for office workers.
To summarize: Mobile ERP offers real added value for your entire company. It makes mobile working easier, more productive and more forward-looking. This gives you a decisive advantage over the competition.
Mobile ERP: the challenge of user-friendliness
However, your company can only benefit if the mobile ERP application is easy to use. If the application is not easy to use on the move, employees will avoid it. Usability is the magic word here.
However, developing a user-friendly operating concept is a major challenge, especially for ERP systems. Due to their broad functionality, ERP solutions are often so extensive that it is difficult to display them clearly on a small smartphone screen.
The following factors can impair mobile user-friendliness:
- Limited screen size: little space for information and functions
- Virtual keyboard: slower, more error-prone data entry
- Poor internet connection: slow or no online functionality
- Disturbing environment: poor lighting conditions, distracting stimuli
Optimal user experience with the right mobile UX design
A well thought-out mobile user experience (UX) design is essential to achieve a high level of user-friendliness and therefore a pleasant user experience on mobile devices. The ERP application should not only be designed to be visually user-friendly, but should also be convincing from a functional point of view.
The following design criteria promote the usability of a mobile ERP:
1. intuitive navigation
When navigating through a mobile ERP application, it is important to guide users as well as possible. The path to the destination should be self-explanatory and immediately clear even to inexperienced users. It should be clear to users at all times where they are in the menu.
2. reduced content and functions
Especially outside the office, less is sometimes more. For the sake of clarity, it usually makes little sense to have the full range of functions of the ERP system available on the mobile device. Instead, only the information and functions that the user actually needs for their work should be displayed.
3. easy to read texts
All ERP system content must be adapted to the smaller display size. The typography should be large enough for employees to read texts easily. This is the only way they can quickly find information and skim through data analyses.
4. operable functions
Whether menu, calendar or buttons: Elements that are too small quickly lead to incorrect entries and therefore unnecessary effort in day-to-day business. All mobile ERP functions should therefore be designed and arranged in such a way that they can be optimally operated with the fingers. Buttons that provide haptic feedback also improve interaction.
5. easy to fill in data fields
Entering data with the ERP system is part of everyday working life. However, filling in forms and data fields on a small mobile device is particularly time-consuming and error-prone. The mobile ERP should therefore offer assistance such as step-by-step navigation and autofill and provide the correct keyboard in each case.
6. personalized content
Individualized user interfaces are even more important when using mobile ERP applications than on a PC. Ideally, employees can design dashboards in such a way that the most important information for them is displayed directly when they look at the mobile device. In the field, for example, this could be upcoming appointments or customer addresses so that the daily routine can be planned effectively.
7. offline functionality
Employees in the warehouse or customer service are sometimes located in halls or areas where the mobile internet connection is impaired. Offline-capable applications allow orders to be recorded even without reception. As soon as stable online connectivity is restored, the data is automatically transferred to the ERP system.
8. fast loading times
Fast availability of data and functions is essential for a positive user experience. Especially in the field, access to the system must be possible without long waiting times – even if the mobile network connection leaves something to be desired.
9. integration of barcode scanners
For efficient warehouse management, it should be possible to connect modern barcode scanners to the mobile ERP. Inventory work can be carried out in the same time-saving and paperless way as bookings of goods issues and receipts. Typing errors are eliminated so that the warehouse data is available in high quality.
10. integration of smartphone functions
Whether camera, NFC reader or motion sensors: modern smartphones are equipped with a range of hardware features that make digitizing data on the move particularly convenient. For example, information can be exchanged wirelessly or receipts can be scanned with the camera.
Native app or web-based application: which is better?
Whether employees work more productively with a native app or a web-based application always depends on the usage scenario. Both variants have their advantages and are suitable for different areas of the company.
Native app
A native app is precisely adapted to each operating system and therefore offers particularly good usability. It is usually tailored to a specific use case and only contains the ERP functions that the employee actually needs for their work.
ERP apps are characterized by reduced, clear functionality that is optimized for the requirements of a specific use case. Thanks to offline capability, users also have access to the functions in places without an internet connection. A native app is therefore best suited for employees in sales, service, warehousing or production.
Web-based application
You access a web-based application like a website in your browser, so no installation is required beforehand. A clever responsive design makes it possible at best for you to access the entire range of functions of the ERP system on mobile devices. The layout automatically adapts to any screen size and any mobile device in the browser.
Diese Variante ist jedoch nur auf Grundlage komplett neuer UX-Ansätze realisierbar. Ohne jegliche Anpassung des UX Designs ließe sich ein klassisches ERP-System aufgrund seiner Komplexität mobil nämlich gar nicht bedienen. Das Entwicklungsteam muss also zunächst überlegen, wie die Bedienung mobil funktionieren kann und sich der Funktionsumfang reduzieren lässt. Genau das haben übrigens auch wir von Asseco getan, als wir den Flow Mode entwickelt haben.
In the end, not only the users benefit from the revision, but also the ERP system itself. This is because the reduction to the essentials raises the question of which functions are really needed and which can be omitted. A web-based application is therefore also a great opportunity for the further development of the classic ERP system.
Conclusion: A user-friendly mobile ERP creates future viability
Companies that use a mobile-enabled ERP system benefit from higher productivity and more transparent processes across all areas. As business transactions are immediately recorded and transmitted digitally, seamless data is always available. This enables well-founded decisions and successful communication with customers and suppliers. In short: with Mobile ERP, your entire company works faster and more efficiently, which is crucial in an increasingly competitive market environment.
However, mobile applications can only develop their full potential if they are designed to be user-friendly and are popular with the workforce. To ensure that the complex functionality of ERP systems does not stand in the way of user acceptance, you should pay attention to a sophisticated mobile UX design when introducing a mobile ERP solution. Clearly designed content is just as important as smart functions that optimally support the user depending on the application.
Whitepaper on user experience
ERP systems must be easy to use. Read our Whitepaper to find out how to recognize a user-friendly design.
