Enterprise Software: Streamlining Business Processes and Driving Performance Improvement

One way businesses enhance operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and drive growth is by implementing Enterprise software systems. Modern software is the key to integrating business functions, optimizing key operations, and driving your business forward.

Our software partners include top companies for every type of solution.

We Make Software Selection Easier: Independent, Unbiased and Knowledgeable

We focus exclusively on software solutions for manufacturers and distribution companies. This concentration means our expert consultants understand the unique needs of your vertical and your business—and know how to help you select and implement a solution that will deliver measurable performance improvement.

What’s more, Ultra is intensely independent. To be able to guide highly informed, unbiased software selection, we continuously conduct in-depth software capabilities research, compile detailed comparisons, and capture insights from every project. Our goal is to set you up with the best software for your specific needs.

Our Consulting Services

Pushing the boundaries of business transformation

Applying today’s best practices, leveraging our exceptional expertise in manufacturing and distribution and utilizing a flexible and proven methodology, our services are geared to deliver results you never imagined possible.

Business Process Improvement

Our business process improvement consulting services build a foundation for your transformation by understanding your unique requirements, assessing your current state, showing you what’s possible with modern solutions, developing a desired future state and optimizing your core processes.

Enterprise Technology Selection

Our technology selection services guide your company through an unbiased, comprehensive and highly structured process designed to determine your best-fit solution—one that will meet your unique requirements, scale with your business and enable your future vision.

Solution Implementation Management

Our software implementation services combine a flexible, proven implementation methodology and exceptional project management expertise to reduce your risk, accelerate time-to-benefit, drive ROI and deliver success.

Business Value Realization

Our business value realization process combines industry best practices, software enhancements and your company’s strengths to sustain process improvements, close the value circle and ensure you maximize the benefits of your ERP solution.

Enterprise Technology Expertise, Knowledge, and Insight

Ultra gathers intelligence and develops insight with ongoing research, frequent cooperation and continuous collaboration with top vendors in more than a dozen software categories.

To guide your software selection process and find the ERP solution that best suits your unique requirements, our team gathers deep knowledge of both the functional requirements of your vertical and the capabilities of the solutions that can meet those requirements. Armed with that information, we conduct briefings with software vendors and partners who build industry-specific software.

What’s more, we maintain and confirm our understanding of the ERP landscape by:

Attending ERP and enterprise technology vendor/user conferences
Participating in ERP and enterprise technology vendor events
Maintaining a library of education resources and webinars
Leading on-site demonstrations with our clients

We have amassed a mountain of information on each software vendor to help you understand their products, industry experience and what makes each competitive in the marketplace.

Software to Meet Your Unique Needs

Without any commitments or obligations to software vendors, we can help you choose a solution that best aligns with your organization and your processes.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

ERP platforms deliver an integrated suite of critical business applications.

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

PLM is a strategy for managing and tracking key product information throughout its lifecycle.

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

WMS software is designed to manage and execute the operations of a warehouse, distribution facility or fulfillment center.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

An MES manages, monitors and synchronizes – in real time – the processes involved in transforming raw materials into finished goods.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

CRM systems provide a variety of valuable capabilities for marketing, sales, customer service and e-commerce, enabling the effective management of customer interactions.

Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ)

CPQ software helps manufacturers quickly and accurately develop quotes for complex and configurable products.

Field Service Management (FSM)

FSM solutions optimize field technician scheduling, dispatch and parts delivery, and support of field technician interactions.

Transportation Management System (TMS)

A TMS is used to plan freight movements, do freight rating and shipping across all modes, select the appropriate route and carrier, and manage freight bills and payments.

E-Commerce Solutions

Modern e-commerce solutions allow purchasing experiences that offer inventory availability and custom configuration of products—shopping cart, upsell, substitute items and payment.

Human Capital Management (HCM)

HCM software is an aggregation of human resource applications—recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management and more—designed to help companies manage their workforce more effectively.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Supply chain planning software provides critical capabilities to manage product flow from components to final product. More specifically, it offers tools to optimize supply chains, vendor relationships and distribution channels.

Selecting the Right Software for Your Organization

1. Define Your Business Needs and Objectives

Before diving into the evaluation of different software vendors, it is crucial to clearly define your organization’s business needs, objectives and long-term goals. Take the time to assess your existing processes and identify areas that need improvement.

Determine the functionalities and processes that are critical to your business and prioritize them accordingly. This will serve as a foundation for the evaluation process and help you find technology that aligns with your organization’s specific requirements.

2. Assess Vendor Capabilities and Experience

Once you have a clear understanding of your business needs, it’s time to research and evaluate vendors. Look for software vendors that have extensive experience in your industry vertical.

A vendor with industry-specific knowledge will better understand your unique challenges and requirements. Evaluate the vendor’s track record and customer reviews to get insights into their reputation and the success of their implementations. This will give you confidence in their ability to deliver a solution that meets your expectations.

3. Evaluate Functionality and Scalability

The functionality of the software is a critical factor in the selection process. Assess the breadth and depth of the integrated management functionality offered by each system. Determine whether the software can effectively manage your core business processes such as project management, product lifecycle management, contract management, regulatory compliance and resource management.

Additionally, consider the scalability of the software. As your organization grows, the system should be able to accommodate increased data volumes and additional functionalities.

4. Integration Capabilities

Integration is another crucial aspect to consider when selecting a software vendor. Assess the integration capabilities of the software system to ensure smooth data flow between different software systems and applications.

The software should seamlessly integrate with your existing systems to avoid data silos and enable a holistic view of your organization’s operations. Consider whether the solution supports standard integration protocols and if it offers pre-built connectors for commonly used software applications.

5. User-Friendliness and Ease of Implementation

A user-friendly interface is essential for the successful adoption of software. Consider the intuitiveness and ease of use of the solution’s user interface. A well-designed interface reduces the learning curve for employees, leading to higher adoption rates and increased productivity.

Additionally, assess the implementation process and the vendor’s support services. A smooth transition from your legacy system to the new software is crucial for minimizing disruptions and ensuring a successful implementation.

6. Security and Data Privacy

Data security is a top priority for organizations in today’s digital landscape. When selecting an solution, ensure that it offers robust security features to protect your sensitive data.

Look for features like role-based access controls, data encryption and regular security updates. Additionally, consider the data privacy regulations applicable to your industry and location. Ensure that the vendor complies with all relevant regulations to safeguard your organization’s data and maintain compliance.

7. Total Cost of Ownership

The software market has exploded in the last 25 years, providing companies with lots of options to choose from each with different pricing structures and models. Therefore, evaluating the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the solution is crucial for making an informed decision. Consider the upfront costs of the software, including licensing fees and implementation costs. Additionally, assess the ongoing maintenance fees and any customization or integration costs that may arise.

It is important to have a clear understanding of the long-term return on investment (ROI) and the value the software will bring to your organization. Consider factors such as increased efficiency, improved decision-making and cost savings when evaluating the TCO.

8. Vendor Support and Training

The support provided by the vendor is crucial for the success of your implementation project. Assess the vendor’s support services, including training programs, technical support and ongoing updates and enhancements.

A responsive and reliable vendor will provide the necessary guidance and assistance throughout the implementation process and beyond. Look for vendors that have a strong reputation for their customer support and ensure that they have a dedicated team to address any concerns or issues that may arise.