Every now and then, David Wiernik, our Sales Director in North America, likes to share a few thoughts about ERP. As he says, “Why should my colleagues have all the fun?”
One Source of the Truth
One phrase that comes up constantly in ERP conversations is “one source of the truth.” It sounds great. Clean. Reassuring. Definitive. But in practice, it is often misunderstood.
Here is the truth about “one source of the truth.” No ERP system does everything, and expecting one to handle 100 percent of your business needs is usually where disappointment begins. A strong ERP should comfortably support about 80 percent of your operations. Some systems cover more, some less, but none are designed to be the only piece of technology your organization will ever need.
The Financial Foundation
Financials are the foundation of any ERP, and this is typically the most straightforward part of the conversation. General ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, and core financial reporting are well established areas for most platforms. Some organizations are satisfied with the reporting tools built into their ERP, while others require more advanced capabilities and turn to third party reporting solutions. On top of that, many companies integrate expense management tools, tax software, and often outsource payroll to a processing provider. All of this is normal and expected.
Operations: Where Things Get Messy
Where things start to get more complex is on the operational side. This is where the market gets crowded and the messaging gets fuzzy. There are many ERP systems that promise end to end functionality, but the chances of finding one that perfectly fits every operational requirement are slim. Manufacturing, distribution, professional services, field service, project accounting, inventory, and industry specific needs all introduce layers of complexity that no single platform handles perfectly for every organization.
This is where the role of a trusted advisor becomes critical. A good partner does more than implement software. They help identify where the ERP is strong, where the gaps are, and which independent software vendors can fill those gaps effectively. In some cases, thoughtful customization makes sense as well. The end result for most companies is not a single monolithic system, but a connected ecosystem of solutions that work together.
Yes, Your Data Will Live in Multiple Systems
That naturally leads to a concern many leaders have: data living in multiple systems. It can feel messy or risky, especially when the original goal was “one source of the truth.” But in modern technology environments, multiple systems are not a sign of failure. They are a sign that the organization is using specialized tools for specialized needs. The real goal is not to force everything into one place, but to ensure those systems are integrated in a way that data flows reliably and consistently.
Enter Business Intelligence
This is why Business Intelligence tools have become so important. A strong BI solution can connect to your ERP, your ISVs, and other operational systems, bringing the data together into dashboards and reports that give leadership a clear, consolidated view of the business. Instead of logging into five different systems to piece together performance, decision makers can see trends, issues, and opportunities in one place. Tools like Power BI make this kind of visibility far more accessible than it used to be.
But Here's the Catch
There is an important caveat when it comes to BI. A BI tool can connect data, but it cannot fix bad data. If the information going into your systems is inconsistent, incomplete, or poorly governed, the reports that come out will simply reflect those problems more quickly and more visibly. At that point, you do not have one source of the truth. You have one very efficient way to spread misinformation.
One Big Lie
Technology plays a huge role in creating visibility and alignment, but it does not replace the need for strong processes, clear data ownership, and accountability across the organization. When those elements are in place, your ERP ecosystem and BI tools can truly support better decisions.
Final Thoughts
ERP success is not about finding a mythical all in one platform. It is about choosing the right core system, complementing it with the right specialized solutions, connecting everything with strong reporting and analytics, and maintaining clean, trustworthy data. When you approach it that way, “one source of the truth” stops being a marketing phrase and starts becoming a practical outcome.
About David Wiernik
David is a 25 year veteran of the ERP industry and has worn just about every hat in the closet. As a Sales Director at Hoalani Group, he helps prospects and clients align with the right Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP solutions and best fit ISV partners to build practical, scalable solution ecosystems.