Passport Business Solutions™ is many things to many businesses. With multiple ERP solutions and a wide range of modules designed for different types of companies, PBS™ has the flexibility to grow and adapt as your business changes.

But there’s something we’ve discovered over the years in conversations with our users: many companies are using only a fraction of what PBS can do.

For some, it started with a basic accounting system—the core of PBS—and that was all they needed at the time. As the business grew and its needs became more complex, however, they continued using the same basic tools. In some cases, they didn’t realize PBS could expand with them.

Instead, they found ways to work around those growing needs using manual procedures, spreadsheets, and even other software applications that don’t integrate with PBS.

And that can create a lot of unnecessary work.

Getting More Out of PBS™

In a recent conversation with one of our users, we encountered exactly this situation.

The company was using some of the accounting and distribution functionality in PBS—but only the basics. As their business had evolved, they had developed additional operational needs that weren’t being addressed by the way they were currently using the system.

When we asked why they had stayed with their existing configuration, the answer was understandable: they didn’t believe PBS could adequately address those operational requirements.

After discussing their needs and taking a closer look at their business processes, we began exploring another possibility: PBS Manufacturing.

Rather than replacing their existing system or adding another disconnected application, we were able to look at how PBS could be expanded to better support the way their business operates today.

That’s an important distinction.

Sometimes you haven’t outgrown your ERP system. You’ve simply outgrown the way you’re using it.

Different Business Needs

Here’s something you may or may not know: while PBS is built around a powerful core accounting system, there is much more to the PBS family than accounting.

For example, PBS offers distinct inventory, order entry, and purchasing functionality for different types of businesses.

Why the duplication?

PBS Distribution includes inventory, order entry, and purchasing functionality designed specifically for distributors. PBS Manufacturing offers similar capabilities tailored specifically to the needs of manufacturers.

Both are built around PBS Accounting, providing a centralized financial system that brings everything together.

This gives businesses tremendous flexibility.

Consider a company with both manufacturing and distribution operations. Instead of forcing both sides of the business to work the same way, PBS allows each operation to use the functionality designed for its needs—while the financial information flows into the same core accounting system.

That same flexibility can be especially valuable for companies with complex operations or multiple lines of business.

Point of Sale

There’s even a third order entry option in the PBS family: PBS Point of Sale.

PBS Point of Sale works seamlessly with the inventory control and purchasing functionality in PBS Distribution and, of course, feeds the same back-office accounting system.

Different business needs. Different operational tools. One connected system.

And that’s just one example.

PBS offers up to 18 modules, along with optional add-ons designed to help businesses address specific needs.

Are You Using the Right PBS Tools?

Your business today may look very different from the business you were running when you first implemented PBS.

Maybe you’ve added a manufacturing operation. Maybe you’ve expanded your distribution business. Maybe you’ve grown into point-of-sale, added new locations, or developed processes that are now being managed through spreadsheets or manual workarounds.

Before assuming you need another system, it may be worth taking another look at the one you already have.

Are you using the PBS modules that make the most sense for your business today?

Talk with your Passport Partner and ask for a review of how you’re currently using PBS—and where additional functionality might help.

Don’t have a Passport Partner? Call Passport Software at 800-969-7900. We’d be happy to explore additional tools that could better support your business. Or, contact us – we are here to help.

You may already have more of the solution than you realize.