In a world where business agility and technological innovation are paramount, the traditional approach to customising accounting systems and ERPs feels increasingly out of step. This article delves into the complexities and challenges that organisations face when tailoring these critical systems to their unique operational needs, highlighting the need for self-service customisation.
The Current State
For companies implementing a new accounting system or ERP, the promise of customisation has often been met with the reality of complex, resource-intensive projects. Organisations looking to tailor these systems to their unique needs typically find themselves embroiled in lengthy implementations, requiring a dedicated team of developers and a substantial budget. The truth is, this old-school customisation is a thorn in the side of dynamic businesses everywhere, introducing significant delays, inflating costs, and stifling the agility businesses need to adapt to changing demands or regulatory environments.
It’s high time we questioned why, in an age of unparalleled technological advancement, businesses are still shackled to these outdated practices. The answer? They shouldn’t be.
The Importance and Benefits of Customisability
It goes without saying that no two organisations are the same, and the same can be said for their finances and accounting. The ability to customise accounting systems is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for businesses to collect and track the data that matters to them.
- Operational Alignment: Ensures that the AP system continuously reflects the unique processes, policies, and compliance requirements of the organisation.
- Agility: Immediate adjustments to the AP system as operational needs evolve, without waiting for external project cycles.
- Cost Efficiency: Significant reductions in the costs associated with customising AP systems, freeing up resources for other strategic investments.
- User Experience: This, in turn, can offer better user engagement and satisfaction by providing relevant functionalities and a more intuitive user experience.
Kloo: A Case Study in Self-Service Customisability
Kloo’s approach to self-service customisation in accounting systems exemplifies the shift towards more agile and user-friendly customisation processes. By enabling users to modify and adapt their systems without the need for specialised development resources, Kloo reduces the barriers to customisation. This self-service model empowers users to implement changes quickly, respond to evolving business needs in real-time, and exercise greater control over their financial processes.
- Configurable Custom Fields
Kloo empowers users to add custom fields to Purchase Orders and Invoices with unprecedented ease. This functionality extends to conditional custom fields; for example, if a purchase exceeds a specific value, additional information can be made mandatory. Such flexibility ensures that critical financial controls are in place, tailored to the unique thresholds and policies of each organisation.
- Customisable Approval Workflows
The platform offers comprehensive tools to customise and edit approval workflows, catering to a wide range of needs from simple approvals to complex, threshold-based decision-making processes. This self-service capability allows for real-time adjustments, ensuring that the AP system remains aligned with the dynamic nature of business operations.
- The Self-Service Advantage
The self-service nature of Kloo’s customisation features represents a significant leap forward. Organisations no longer need to rely on external consultants or developers to modify their AP systems, enabling rapid adaptation to changing business needs without the associated high costs and delays.
Key Takeaways:
The shift towards self-service customisability in accounting systems represents a significant advancement in how businesses can tailor their financial tools to their specific needs. By embracing platforms that offer this flexibility, organisations can enhance their financial operations’ efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness, ultimately supporting better business outcomes.