Webinar Recap: One Vendor for All Your ERP Needs

Like all software solutions, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems should make your life easier. They should save time and relieve the administrative burden on your agency. But this isn’t usually the case.

Many agencies piecemeal ERP systems together over time. The result? Multiple vendors and systems for each function: finance, HR, payroll, utility billing, etc. Not only do these systems struggle to integrate, but they are often built for private sector organizations.

When something goes wrong (it always does), your team has to troubleshoot with multiple vendors – each of them blaming the other for the issue. Not to mention navigating the details of multiple contracts and integrations. Each of these tasks add up, requiring time and resources your agency can’t spare.

Fortunately, there’s a solution. A unified ERP system from a single vendor solves the challenges above, and much more. In this article, we highlight the key points from the CentralSquare webinar One Vendor for All Your ERP Needs. Keep reading to discover the benefits of a unified solution, and tips for choosing the right vendor for your agency.

Benefits of a Unified ERP System

Single Source of Truth

A unified ERP system gives public agencies a single source of truth. With all data in one centralized system, everyone (from finance to field operations) has access to the same real-time information. This shared database eliminates duplicate data entry, reduces human error and improves decision making. It streamlines processes across financial management, auditing, payroll, utility billing and more.

One of the key benefits is transparency. With drill-down reporting, officials can track spending at the project level and provide detailed updates to councils or the public. Whether it’s a utility meter replacement or a complex grant-funded project, staff can monitor progress and spending in one place, with reports ready for review at any time.

The system also helps manage compliance and asset lifecycles. For example, grant-funded purchases can be tracked to ensure they’re used appropriately and disposed of at the correct time. Alerts and built-in business rules ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Tightly integrated tools like payroll and general ledger make budgeting and auditing faster and more accurate. Users can trace credits, meter readings or payroll hours at a detailed level, allowing for more informed decisions.

In short, a unified ERP simplifies complex operations, increases visibility and enables better financial oversight – all from a single platform.

Data Consistency and Accuracy

A unified ERP system brings clarity, consistency and control to public sector operations. When everything runs on a single system and database, it’s easier to manage, track and audit.

One of the biggest benefits is the clear, traceable audit trail. Whether it’s tracking a journal entry back to an invoice or identifying a budget issue, a unified ERP provides the visibility to spot (and resolve) discrepancies quickly.

With everyone working from the same data set, there’s no need to rely on Excel exports or jump between disconnected systems. Manual data re-entry is eliminated, reducing the chance of errors and lost information. What enters through purchasing flows seamlessly into invoicing and out through payments – all linked, all accurate.

This consistency streamlines workflows across departments like finance, purchasing and budgeting. Agencies no longer need to juggle multiple systems or fix errors caused by poor integrations. Everything is built to work together, using the same data, in real time.

Reporting becomes more efficient too. With CentralSquare’s built-in analytics, for example, all reports pull from one reliable database. This results in faster, more accurate insights that support smarter decisions and financial accountability.

Cost and Time Savings

In an age of understaffing and limited budgets, a unified system can help you save time and money. Unknown to many public agencies, managing multiple vendors comes with hidden costs.

When you rely on several systems, you’re also juggling multiple contracts, integrations and support relationships. That complexity comes at a cost – often in the form of overtime hours, delayed fixes and compatibility issues.

With a single vendor, those problems shrink. There’s no confusion over which system caused a problem or who to call for help. Support is centralized. Issues are resolved faster because everything is managed under one roof, with one team familiar with the full environment.

Unified ERPs also eliminate the need for generic file interfaces and manual workarounds that are common with third-party integrations. Instead, everything works together out of the box for improved reporting, data accuracy and daily efficiency. You’re no longer wasting time aligning terminology across systems or troubleshooting broken connections between tools.

Ultimately, a unified ERP gives you a fully integrated environment with one system and one support team. That means fewer surprises, smoother operations and more time to focus on the work that matters most. In a world where agencies are expected to do more with less, this level of simplicity pays off.

CentralSquare ERP Solutions

CentralSquare offers three ERP solutions: Finance Enterprise, NaviLine and GovAsyst. Each one delivers the benefits listed above (and more), but they are built for the unique size and needs of your agency.

Govasyst

Best suited for smaller agencies, Govasyst provides the essential tools for core administrative functions. From financial management to general government management, it helps your team operate effectively without the complexity of larger systems. Are you ready to manage utility bills, payroll, permits, licenses, code violations, etc. in one place? Govasyst can help – currently hosted on AWS in both cloud and on-premise environments.

NaviLine

Ideal for mid-sized agencies, NaviLine offers a comprehensive suite of applications for financial management, payroll, community development, utility billing and workforce management. It balances functionality and scalability, allowing agencies to manage more complex processes as their community grows.​ NaviLine is currently transitioning to an AWS-hosted environment for tighter security and improved scalability.

Finance Enterprise

Built for the needs of large agencies, Finance Enterprise is your one-stop shop for all finance, HR, and payroll processes. It eliminates the mountain of paperwork, streamlines approvals, and simplifies decision-making. Are you ready to unlock the benefits of an ERP that can scale with your agency? Arm yourself with our easy-to-use, cloud-based finance software – currently transitioning to AWS hosting.

• Track grant-funded assets from purchase through disposal, ensuring compliance throughout.
• Eliminate data silos. Everything entered in purchasing flows through to accounts payable and reporting automatically.
• Manage complex, enterprise-level financial tasks with scalability and built-in automations.

A Single Support Team You Can Trust

CentralSquare’s support team provides the same amazing experience across all its products. Through a shared support portal, users can submit tickets, access self-service tools and engage with user communities. Whether you’re managing utility billing, finance, or permitting, you’re supported by a single SLA framework and a highly-trained team.

In fact, CentralSquare’s team includes experts who understand how products interact. So when an ERP system like Finance Enterprise integrates with others like EAM, support staff can troubleshoot the full picture – not just isolated parts.

At the end of the day, one support team means faster resolutions and fewer headaches.

How to Get Started

CentralSquare ERP solutions bring all administrative processes under one roof (finance, HR, procurement, community development, asset management, etc.). By eliminating silos and optimizing operations, our three products help agencies of all sizes manage their resources better. Schedule a discovery call today to learn how an ERP solution by CentralSquare can save your agency time and money.