Making Eshbel A Priority In ERP

In recent years, ERP systems have taken on an increasingly intense role as businesses both large and small look to streamline. ERP products, which are used to integrate various pieces and departments within a company, typically combine the functions and processes of an organization and attempt to unify databases into a central repository where information can be easily shared.

Not a newcomer to the field, Rosh Haayin, Israel-based Eshbel has been providing ERP and CRM solutions for more than 20 years. Currently in version 13, the company's flagship enterprise management product, Priority, is a fully Web-enabled ERP product that is built with Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and takes advantage of the latest Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 capabilities.

The CRN Test Center spent some time working within a demo environment of Priority 13, and we were amazed by its depth and functionality. As a Software-as-a-Service, Priority 13 is a Web-based product. All we had to do to get started was log into our test account, hosted by Eshbel. On the first visit to the site, a small client needs to be downloaded and installed. Internet Explorer 7 or higher is required. After log-in, most of the application is menudriven. While extensive, the menu is designed in an easy-to-read and easy-to-follow format. It starts as a selection list on the left side of the screen, and submenus cascade out toward the right as each choice is made.

The main modules of Priority 13 run the gamut of everything a company would need to function effectively. From sales and marketing, purchasing and inventory, to customer service and production -- all possibilities are covered. There are even sections for human resources and executive reports.

Getting started in Priority 13 is made easier with wizards available in almost every module. Administration is done through the application's browser-based interface, where user privileges can be assigned and backups and tasks can be scheduled.

Using service-oriented architecture (SOA), Priority 13 allows all the modules to share common databases. In this way, certain customizations and new features can be easily added to the system, without additional requirements.

The financial module has all the functionality of multiple accounting programs, supporting the general ledger, as well as accounts payable and receivable. Of particular interest in this module is compliance: Priority 13 includes support for SOX (Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002), IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

The CRM coverage is another area where the service shines. The taking and tracking of contracts and orders, as well as the processing of them, tie into the inventory database and are nice examples of the tight integration between the multiple modules and databases.

Priority 13 also has a query generator that can generate reports, charts, forms, tables and calendar-related user interfaces such as schedules and assignments. New reports can be set up via drag and drop. Compatible with Microsoft Office, Priority 13 is capable of data exchange with Office applications on the client machine. It also offers synchronization with Outlook.

In the lower left corner of the main screen is a link that brings up the dashboard, which offers a graphical, realtime glimpse of user-configured data by way of various charts, graphs and reports.

Priority 13 is a complete ERP/CRM system that offers end-to-end coverage for running a company, regardless of the type of business. It is available as a fully hosted, on-demand system, an on-site installation billed per-user/per-month, or as a complete on-site install priced at a flat fee. Private customization is also available and, because of the modular design, won't be affected by future upgrades.

While it may appear overwhelming at first glance, the easy-to-use interface makes it manageable with minimal training.