ERP software is a specific type of software aimed at managing end to end business processes within a single software system.
Originally, these systems were very complex and expansive to implement, but extremely efficient in improving large-scale, complicated production operations and accounting procedures.
Lately, more and more ERP vendors have been targeting small businesses with an easy to implement software that can provide much value at a low price.
Some ERP solutions are can be even downloaded and used for free - these are open source ERP solutions.
Small businesses can benefit greatly from these type of software.
In particular, most basic commercial operations can be dramatically improved with a minimal investment in implementing these software.
5 operations small businesses should manage byERP:

1. Maintain Customer and Product data - ERP systems are great for creating,updating and linking customer and product data.
   Replace those huge excel files with a software system that will later allow you to use these records for your ope rationals activities like getting customer orders and maintain stock.
   
2. Manage Customer Orders - the blood flowing through the veins of every business in the world is its customs' orders.
   Once you set up your customer and products, you are ready to get your first customer order.
   In is usually as simple as selecting the customer, the product he ordered, the quaint and the unit price.
   Averting else (e.
   g.
   calculating the total price,creating invoice) is taken care by the software.
   
3. Manage Inventory - ERP systems are very strong at inventory management.
   It allows you to receive stock into the warehouse, allocate and pick stock to cover customer orders,as well as proving real-time insight into the stock availability of your entire product line.
   
4. Manage Procurement- Every small business needs to purchase something, be it raw material,finished goods or office supply.
   To get the real picture on where the money you are spending really goes to, you need a software that manages your vendors and purchasing orders.
   An ERP system will provide you with seamless integration with your inventory management requirements and customer orders to enable maximum efficiency in fulfilling your customers' orders.
   
5. Accounting - We all have to do it,nobody likes doing it.
   Let the software take care of your chart of accounts, account payables and receivables, journal entries, profit and loss reports and a lot more.
   And the great part is that since all transactions -sales or purchasing-are already managed by the same ERP system, accounting is almost completely automatic!

To summarize, if you really care about operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, you must consider ERP solutions.