5 Signs your trade union has outgrown its ERP system
Trade unions are changing – members, legislation, ways of working, and expectations are evolving rapidly. Yet many are still relying on ERP systems built for a completely different time.
Here are five clear signs it’s time to rethink your systems:
1. Your ERP system isn’t accessible when you need it
If you have to be on-site or use slow, insecure connections to access your systems, that’s a red flag. In a world where remote work is the norm, finance, member data, and reports should be instantly available – no matter where you are.
An efficient ERP gives trade unions better control and access to real-time data.
2. Reporting is a bottleneck – not a support
Does it take days to produce numbers for the board, department heads, or external auditors? Then you’re working against your system, not with it. Reporting should happen in real time, based on up-to-date data, without anyone having to export to Excel and compile manually.
3. You’re living in Excel – not in your ERP system
If analysis, budgeting, member lists, or fee tracking depend on external spreadsheets, control is already slipping. Errors increase, follow-up takes longer, and transparency suffers. A modern ERP system should consolidate data – not scatter it.
4. Your finance team is stuck in manual tasks
When admin work takes over, there’s little room left for strategy and development. Approvals via email, receipts scanned by hand, and workflows that require multiple tools are all signs your system support isn’t optimized.
5. Updates are a project in themselves
If upgrades require consultants, downtime, or keep getting postponed, you risk falling behind – both technically and legally. An ERP system should update smoothly, without disrupting operations or needing custom fixes.
NetSuite – An ERP system for forward-thinking trade unions
NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP system that manages finance, memberships, fees, communication, and reporting – all on one platform. You get full control, real-time insights, and a system that evolves with your organization.
Contact SuiteCorner
At SuiteCorner, we have extensive experience supporting trade unions and member-driven organizations ready to take the next step. Want to know if NetSuite is right for you? Book a meeting – we’d love to tell you more.
