Home > Podcasts > The Digital Roast Epi 7: Numbers That Talk: How Reporting & Automation Work Hand-in-Hand

Numbers That Talk: How Reporting & Automation Work Hand-in-Hand

Welcome to Episode 3 of The Digital Roast, where we continue exploring how automation is reshaping the way Kiwi businesses work. This time, Ranae Dodds, Christchurch Branch Manager and ERP Business Consultant at Focus, sits down with Graeme, a seasoned Technical Consultant, to talk about how smart reporting tools and automation go hand in hand to drive better business outcomes.

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Introduction

ERP automation has already transformed how businesses manage their day-to-day tasks. But to make truly informed decisions, real-time data and insightful reporting need to be part of the picture.

In this episode, Ranae and Graeme shares how modern reporting tools — when combined with ERP automation — are helping businesses make faster, smarter decisions. From eliminating manual invoice handling to triggering live exception reports, Graeme explains how the right tools can free up time, reduce errors, and create better visibility across the business.

Common Inefficiencies

Manual reporting and outdated systems are still holding many businesses back. Graeme points out several pain points:

  • Needing to be physically in the office just to access reports

  • Wasting time on manual approval processes

  • Relying on Excel workarounds for data that should be live and integrated

  • Missed opportunities to act on exceptions or red flags

He also notes how the COVID-19 shift to remote work exposed how paper-based systems limited flexibility and visibility.

Benefits of Reporting + Automation

The combination of automation and reporting delivers powerful outcomes:

  • Real-time visibility — access your business data wherever you are, even from your phone on the beach

  • Proactive decision-making — set up reports to trigger alerts or notifications as issues arise

  • Process efficiency — reduce time spent on manual or repetitive tasks like invoice approvals

  • Improved accuracy — minimise data re-entry and consolidate reporting from multiple sources

  • Faster month-end — identify and correct issues before they snowball

Graeme shares how clients are using tools like Excel integrations and Power BI dashboards to quickly surface data they need — with some even automating fixes to issues as they arise.

Real-Life Examples

One standout example is from Fiordland Lobster, where Graeme played a key role in a major ERP implementation. Their operation, known for its scale and complexity, benefited significantly from automation — streamlining everything from invoice approvals to reporting. The result? Faster processing, reduced errors, and a platform that can evolve as the business grows.

Graeme also shares the story of a client who manually processed large volumes of invoices. By identifying that a group of customers had consistent, rule-based billing, they automated the process entirely — saving hours each week and reducing errors.

These examples showcase how automation doesn’t just save time — it enhances accuracy, frees up staff for higher-value work, and empowers teams with better data.

Future Outlook

ERP systems are becoming smarter and more adaptable. The future isn’t just about collecting data — it’s about surfacing the right information at the right time.

Modern reporting tools now enable:

  • Exception-based alerts delivered by email or text

  • Live dashboards with role-based visibility

  • Automated fixes based on predefined rules

This shift means businesses can now detect and act on potential issues before they escalate — all while reducing manual workload.

Key Takeaways

  • You don’t need to automate everything — start small and scale up

  •  Combine automation with live reporting to spot and solve problems early

  •  Free your people from repetitive tasks so they can focus on higher-value work

  • The best systems are flexible, connected, and empower both leaders and staff

  • The future of ERP is data-rich, real-time, and mobile

References:

Services for everybody – Focus Technology

ERP Systems – Focus Technology

Case Stud: Fiordland Lobster Corporation – Focus Technology

Interested in exploring ERP for your business?

Talk to our team today and discover how we can help simplify your systems and drive smarter growth.