ERP systems are great at storing a lot of business data, but the reports they create can be hard to read unless you work with them every day. The numbers may be correct, but if people can't follow the layout or don’t know what each field means, then the report isn’t doing its job. Simple mistakes in formatting or naming can cause teams to miss important details or make the wrong decisions.
When enterprise resource planning implementation starts, reporting is often treated like a final step. But the way reports are built—and more importantly, how people read them—should be a part of planning from the beginning. Clear reports help people act faster, share updates more easily, and avoid miscommunication between departments.
Start with Clear Naming and Labels
Labels and titles might seem like small details, but they make a big difference. We've seen reports with codes or long system names that nobody outside of IT can understand. That slows everyone down.
Instead of using system IDs or internal references, try names that match everyday work. For example, “Customer Order Date” is better than “ORD_DT.” Doing this helps people find what they need without second guessing. Short, simple labels are easier to scan quickly.
Adding a note or short description inside the report can help too. If a column tracks “Close Time,” write a quick line below the header like, “Time between quote and signed deal.” That kind of extra context turns a standard report into something people can actually use.
Match Reports to Daily Roles and Use Cases
Different teams need different types of information. What a warehouse lead needs from a report isn’t the same as what someone in accounting wants. When one report tries to serve everyone, it usually ends up confusing somebody.
It helps to create separate reports based on daily tasks. For example:
- Finance teams might care about payment terms and invoice status.
- Operations might look at delivery timelines and vendor response times.
- Sales could focus more on deals closed or leads sent for follow-up.
If we give everyone the same report, half of them will ignore the parts that don’t matter to them—or worse, misread data that wasn’t meant for their work. Splitting large reports into smaller role-based ones saves time and keeps people focused.
Use Layouts and Visuals That Support Quick Reading
A report can be accurate and still be hard to read. When the layout feels cluttered or the text is all the same size and color, it’s easy to miss something important.
Start by putting the most important information near the top or on the left side where people look first. Group similar types of data together and break long rows up with white space or lines. A little spacing between sections helps clear up visual clutter.
Bold headings and simple background shading can guide the eye and highlight the most important numbers. This isn’t about making it pretty—it’s about making it scannable.
When it helps, add a small chart or graph, but only if the visual makes something easier to understand. A single bar to show weekly orders, for example, pulls the pattern out faster than listing 12 numbers in a row. But don't overload the report with charts that don’t add value.
Make Reports Easier to Access and Share
Even the best report is useless if someone can’t find it. Hunting through folders or waiting on someone else to send a file slows everything down. People need a fast way to get to the reports that matter to them.
One way to fix this is by pinning links to key reports right in the ERP dashboard or on team homepages. If users know exactly where to go, they won’t waste time or skip the report entirely.
When it's time to share, the formatting should stay the same whether someone reads it in the system or exports it as a file. No one wants to fix broken layouts every time they print or send a spreadsheet. Clean layout, easy sharing—those small improvements help keep teams connected and confident in their data.
When reports are hard to get or take too long to open, people stop checking regularly. That creates silos and slows down decisions. Simple access equals smoother teamwork.
Test and Adjust Reports as Teams Change
Business needs don’t stay the same, and reports shouldn’t either. New hires, new projects, or updates to the process can change what people need from the data. A report that worked great last year might now be missing something key.
We find it helps to check reports every few months. Ask users what’s helpful, what’s not, and what they wish they could see. Even small tweaks—like adding a column or removing an unused filter—can improve how people use the report.
The earlier this kind of flexibility is built in, the less rework is needed later. Good enterprise resource planning implementation includes time to think about reporting, not just operations. If that happens up front, reports won’t become outdated the moment processes shift.
Reports aren't just files—they’re tools. And sometimes tools have to adjust to the job at hand. Staying flexible helps everyone keep up.
Kodershop includes role-based report configuration and ongoing format reviews in enterprise resource planning implementation, making sure clients’ reports evolve as teams and business needs change over time.
Better Reports, Better Outcomes
When ERP reports are easy to read, teams spend less time asking questions and more time making progress. The right layout, clear labels, and role-based data give each person just what they need without the clutter. That builds trust in the numbers and speeds up everyday work.
Well-planned reports grow with the business. As teams change, clear formats and smart designs help keep everyone aligned. When reports match the way people actually work, they don’t just share numbers—they support action. And that shift makes a real difference.
Planning ahead for reporting saves time later, especially if your system is built with real use in mind. At Kodershop, we help businesses get the most out of enterprise resource planning implementation by setting up tools that support the way teams actually work.