Tuesday, December 8, 2009

ERP System Benefits on the Balance Sheet

Benefits from improved business processes and improved information provided by an ERP system can directly affect the balance sheet of a manufacturer. To illustrate this impact, a simplified balance sheet is shown in figure 3.1 for a typical manufacturer with annual revenue of $10 million. The biggest impacts will be on inventory and accounts receivable.

In the example, the company has $3 million in inventory and $2 million in outstanding accounts receivable. Based on prior research concerning industry averages for improvements, implementation of an ERP system can lead to a 20 percent inventory reduction and an 18 percent receivables reduction.

Figure 3.1 Summarized balance sheet for a typical $10 million firm

Typical
Current Improvement Benefit Current assets
Cash and other 500,000
Accounts receivable 2,000,000 18% 356,200

Inventory 3,000,000 20% 600,000

Fixed assets 3,000,000


Total assets $8,500,000 $956,200
Current liabilities
xxx,xxx

* Inventory Reduction. A 20 percent inventory reduction results in $600,000 less inventory. Improved purchasing practices (that result in reduced material costs) could lower this number even more.

* Accounts Receivable. Current accounts receivable represent seventy-three days of outstanding receivables. An 18 percent reduction (to sixty days' receivables) results in $356,200 of additional cash available for other uses.

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