This wholesome data set is a fantastic reminder of how a green thumb can grow. Whether you’re a multi-site operator managing acres of canopy or a hobbyist tending to a balcony grow, cannabis inspires a deeper connection to the land and to the science of cultivation. 

Why Cannabis Growers Makes Great Gardeners 

1. Attention to detail 
   Cannabis growers learn early: a small mistake in watering, nutrients, humidity, or light can have huge effects. That attention carries over into other botanical endeavors  

2. Love of experimentation 
   Cultivators constantly tweak grow mediums, lighting schedules, and genetics. Once you’ve dialed in your flower, experimenting with peppers or heirloom tomatoes is the natural next step 

3. Joy of the harvest 
   There’s nothing quite like pulling down a finished crop. That satisfaction is an addictive rush, and it makes sense growers want to feel it again with other plants they can consume 

Multi-Location Cultivators, Take Note 

This lighthearted poll has a serious takeaway for stakeholders in the industry: cultivation expertise is transferable. The skills your team uses to maximize yields, keep plants healthy, and standardize processes are the same ones that could drive innovation in other crops. 

In fact, some large cannabis operators are already diversifying into hemp, hops, and even vertical farming for produce. It is not just a clever byproduct, it’s smart business. Cannabis pushed them to become better farmers, and those skills can expand into new revenue streams. 

Cannabis Culture Meets Gardening Culture 

There is also a cultural overlap for customers. Cannabis consumers are increasingly looking for transparency, sustainability, and “farm to table” vibes in their flower. These are the same qualities foodies look for in their produce. For cultivators, this poll is a reminder that your customers are not just buying based on THC percentages. Consumers are buying into a story of cultivation, care, and craftsmanship and that builds loyalty. 

Leaning into that connection, whether through brand storytelling, sustainability initiatives, or even cross promoting with local farms, can help cultivators stand out in a crowded market. 

Unforeseen Delicious Consequences

Let’s be real: the cannabis industry has plenty of heavy news around taxes, compliance, and consolidation. Sometimes it’s refreshing to step back and remember why we love this plant in the first place. It teaches patience, nurtures curiosity, and, apparently, makes us better gardeners overall. 

So, whether you are scaling up across states or just happy your basil plant is still alive, one thing is clear: growing cannabis opens doors. Not just to bigger harvests, but to a greener lifestyle, a deeper appreciation for farming, and maybe even the juiciest tomatoes on the block. 

Want to take your cultivation skills beyond the grow room? 365 Cannabis helps multi-site operators master the details, from compliance to costing, so you can focus on growing, whether that is cannabis, cucumbers, or anything in between. 

The post From Cannabis to Cucumbers: Why Growers Are Expanding Their Green Thumbs appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

The Gong 

The best celebrations are not quiet. MJ Unpacked has a gong that is accessible during show hours. Close a deal? Bang the gong. It tells everyone in the event space that one, you just closed a deal (congrats!) and two, this event works. The echoing sound of success rings throughout the day, reaffirming attendees that attending this show delivers results. Yes, you can bang the gong just for fun, but frankly it feels better to earn it.  

Midwestern Microbusinesses  

There was clear thoughtfulness about who was encouraged to attend MJ Unpacked in St. Louis, and Missouri’s microbusinesses showed up in force. We met with so many operators eager to ensure their craft cannabis found an audience. MoCannTrade also hosted meetups and had a booth on the expo floor, adding even more resources and visibility for Missouri’s growing cannabis market. 

The Voices at The Slams 

MJ Unpacked has a way of platforming its people in accessible ways, and one of my favorites was the slam series. Throughout the expo hours, there were opportunities where thought leaders would get three minutes on the slam stage to speak to attendees. These slams ranged from focusing on brands to tech to budtender voices. We may be biased as 365 Cannabis got time during the tech slam to talk all things ERP, but we also loved the budtender slam. Seeing budtenders talk earnestly about what products speak to them was an energizing reminder of the front-line customer experience.  

The Puppies and Kittens 

MJ Unpacked did one of the best attendee-facing experiences ever committed to a convention floor, and that’s the puppy zone. St. Louis’s own APA adoption center set up two pens with adoptable puppies and kittens; the perfect de-stress destination. The staff were all kind and gentle with animals and attendees alike. Occasionally staff would take the dogs through the aisles so they could get a short walk in and meet the expo attendees. And while the puppies didn’t ask us about ERP software, we’re pretty sure they’d approve of streamlined operations. 

MJ Unpacked St. Louis once again proved why it’s one of the most valuable events in the cannabis industry. From celebrating wins at the gong to connecting with Missouri microbusinesses, learning from budtenders, and even pausing to pet puppies, the show delivered on every front. For us at 365 Cannabis, it was also an opportunity to show how a purpose-built ERP can support operators of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup microbusiness or a multi-state operator, our platform is designed to simplify compliance, strengthen operations, and help you scale with confidence. 

If you missed us at MJ Unpacked, we’d love to connect. Learn more about how 365 Cannabis can power your growth here. 

The post Highlights from MJ Unpacked St. Louis 2025 for Cannabis Businesses appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Here’s Everything You Need to Scale Your Missouri Cannabis Business in 2025

Automated Metrc Integration 

Missouri’s state compliance system is Metrc, the leading state cannabis compliance system in the United States. There are many operators who rely on manual entry for tracking plants and products, however manual entry leaves a lot of room for risk. The compliance fees and fines significantly outweigh the cost of trustworthy compliance software. Competitive operators in Missouri are actively looking for cannabis software with an automated metrc integration to avoid manual entry errors. The leading cannabis ERP systems, like 365 Cannabis, are designed with compliance guardrails to ensure users stay within regulations at every step, something we pride ourselves on.  

Real-Time Inventory Control 

As a company grows, so do their assets and that includes every seed, every gram, every gummy. Having instant access to all products across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail is a non-negotiable for the leading Missouri cannabis operators. Real-time inventory control gives operators instant visibility into every SKU, eliminating blind spots and costly write-offs. The right cannabis software will track take account of everything within the supply chain and production schedule and be able to deliver Available-to-Purchase (ATP) data for sales (and here’s why that’s important).  

Integrated Cannabis-Focused Financial Tools 

Missouri’s cannabis community is booming and that means more money to manage for operators. Many businesses, cannabis or not, use QuickBooks. That’s a fair tool for some businesses, but it’s not designed or optimized at all for cannabis operators. Cannabis has unique challenges as a federally illegal, state legal, Schedule I substance subject to 280E. Outside of the QuickBooks limitations, due to cannabis being federally illegal, they do reserve the right to not support any cannabis enterprises, even fully legal and licensed ones. We’ve seen reported issues with QuickBooks as early as 2015 of entire financial recording software locked overnight. While QuickBooks does often turn a blind eye, they overall do not serve the needs of the cannabis community. ERP platforms have financial systems built into place that serve two functions- eliminating the need for third party financials like QuickBooks and integrating all efforts to ensure financial data is accurate. The 365 Cannabis financial module for example pulls financial data in from all sales, all purchases, all invoices, everywhere that touches the business to ensure every penny is accounted for. Native financial functions reduce the opportunity for human error and ensure every spend and every sale is accounted for.  

Data and Analytics for Decision Making  

Missouri’s cannabis market is still relatively young, which means consumer behavior is evolving quickly. Operators who rely only on historic sales data risk missing major shifts in category demand. Advanced analytics provide real-time visibility into product performance, costs, and margins, helping operators pivot quickly and stay ahead of competitors. Dashboards powered by tools like Microsoft’s Power BI allow businesses to identify growth categories, spot inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions with confidence. In a fast-moving market, analytics are the difference between reacting to trends and leading them. 

Missouri cannabis operators are competing in one of the most dynamic markets in the country. Success in Missouri’s cannabis market demands excellence in compliance, product visibility, accuracy, finance, and control across the entire business. ERP built for cannabis, like 365 Cannabis, combines compliance, inventory, financials, and analytics into one platform designed for growth. 

If you’re ready to scale your Missouri cannabis operation, schedule a demo with 365 Cannabis and see how ERP can help you lead the market. 

The post How to Scale Your Missouri Cannabis Business in 2025 appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

What is an ERP?  

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, and is a platform that streamlines a company’s operations, efficiency, data, and finance. The ERP becomes the internal hub for all moves made within the buisness. Major companies utilize ERP to ensure that every aspect of their organization across all locations are connected, tracked, and accounted for. Massive corporations like Ford, Under Armour and Coca-Cola all utilize ERP systems, and specifically use Microsoft-based ERP systems. The biggest draw for companies to implement an ERP is scalability- ERP systems are built for long term growth.  

What is a Cannabis ERP? 

A cannabis ERP has all the same functionionality that large scale organizations utlize, but also includes features for compliance. The ERP connects cultivation, production, manufacturing, distribution, and retail along with the most important aspect of cannabis- compliance. Any self-respecting cannabis ERP removes the need for QuickBooks or other standalone finance platforms because ERP inherently includes financal support. Metrc and BioTrack intergrations are also embedded within cannabis ERPs to ensure compliance at every step of the plant life’s process from planting the seed to hitting the customer’s exit bag.  

What is Seed-to-Sale? 

Seed-to-Sale is a term that gets used a lot in the cannabis space and may appear interchangable with POS, or even ERP, at times. Seed-to-Sale is typically used as a compliance system and POS to organize and hold all the operator’s information. This is helpful however, Seed-to-Sale does not integrate finance platforms forcing users to utilize QuickBooks or other finance platforms. While some Seed-to-Sale software programs may be more robust than others, overall they are limited by: 

• No finance management  

• No or extremely limited support for manufacturing or processsing  

• No cross-departmental integration 

• Reporting that only pertains to specific transactions or tasks, not representative of the entire buisness suite of functionality  

A Seed-to-Sale software focuses on regulatory compliance, but doesn’t offer the resources for scalability. 

What are the Major Differences Between ERP and Seed-to-Sale? 

Seed-to-Sale is a regulatory platform for compliance and limited reporting. It works for dispensaries as far as inventory and retail sales tying into state regulatory platforms. ERP is a data powerhouse that connects every aspect of an operation, vertically integrated or not, across all locations and becomes the central source of truth for business decisions. A Seed-to-Sale delivers a summary of what happened, while an ERP delivers context of why things happen and what to plan for in the future. 

Who Should Use a Seed-to-Sale vs. an ERP?  

Seed-to-Sale is a great option for single location retailers. A standalone dispensary needs a compliance tool to ensure they’re in line with Metrc, BioTrack, or whatever regulations in their area are needed.  

ERP is a great option for vertically integrated companies, multi-location and multi-state groups, and companies primed to scale their operation. Cultivators, manufacturors, producers, and retailers are able to make use of an ERP to align their entire organization, including financials.  

ERP users are able to replace multiple disconnected business tools like separate Seed-to-Sale, inventory platforms, manufacturing softrware, accounting software, and loose spreadsheets and pulls all data into one unified platform. ERP reduces human error by eliminating double entry across serveral touchpoints.  

Not every operator needs an ERP to survive; many are viable candidates for a simple Seed-to-Sale software. The operators looking for growth, streamlined operations, and a single software partner to track every COG, every BOM, every invoice, every penny moved through the organization need to be looking at an ERP.  

Ready to look into ERP software options for your cannabis business? We have a comprehensive guide for selecting the right cannabis ERP for your operation.

The post Cannabis ERP vs. Seed-to-Sale: Key Differences & Benefits Cannabis Operators Need to Know appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Let’s look at what that means for cannabis operators. 

What is Changing for BioTrack States? 

BioTrack’s state partnerships are now wihtin the Metrc umbrella. Currently, BioTrack manages state compliance systems for: 

• Arkansas 

• Connecticut 

• Delaware 

• Hawaii 

• Florida 

• New Hampshire 

• New Mexico 

• New York 

• North Dakota 

• Virginia 

Illinois was previously a BioTrack state, but began onboarding all operators to Metrc earlier in 2025, citing the desire to utilize Metrc’s “RFID technology that offers real-time visibility into product movement—from cultivation to sale.” They elaborated on the switch by stating that “this switch allows regulators and businesses alike to reduce manual data entry, track compliance more accurately, and respond faster to discrepancies or recalls.” 

As of July 1, 2025, Illinois is officially a Metrc state. 

As of the Metrc/BioTrack announcement, there are no public plans to move BioTrack states off of BioTrack and onto Metrc. These contracts, however, are owned by Metrc and the move from BioTrack to Metrc is a reasonable possibility.  

What is BT Government? 

To assist with the acquisition, BioTrack’s state regulation branch has been segmented into its own entity, BT Government. BT Government, as stated by Metrc, “will support the delivery of regulatory technology to state partners.” The BT Government division be overseen by BioTrack’s current Chief Operating Officer, Moe Afaneh, while still being connected to Metrc via the acquisition. In the interim, BT Government operating somewhat independently will allow Metrc and BioTrack to work together managing the existing BioTrack state regulatory contracts.  

What will BioTrack Do Now? 

Within the Metrc press release it is stated that “BioTrack will expand its focus on commercial cannabis solutions, including ERP and POS platforms.” BioTrack currently operates the cannabis ERP system Alleaves and had acquired MJ Freeway in 2024. Interestingly, MJ Freeway has been the state regulatory system for Pennsylvania since 2017. Pennsylvania operators have expressed issues with the platform, which may lead to changes on the horizon especially as their adult-use bills get closer to realization.  

Does the Metrc/BioTrack Merger Change Anything for New York? 

New York is a unique situation because it was currently in the process of onboarding operators to BioTrack’s Seed-to-Sale system for operator regulation. In November 2024, New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) stated that they were preparing for the mandatory intergration of BioTrack for cannabis license holders. The original timeline saw all New York operators being fully integrated between August 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025.  

On August 5, 2025, the same day the press release was issued by Metrc, the OCM announced that the BioTrack integration deadlines are paused. Their bulletin to all New York cannabis license holders stated that they “must evaluate systems implications for both the agency and licensees and determine the extent to which this development affects STS (Seed-to-Sale) integration in New York.” 

Is Anything Changing for Metrc States? 

Metrc currently operates in the following states: 

• Alabama 

• Alaska 

• California 

• Colorado 

• Colorado Industrial Hemp 

• District of Columbia 

• Guam 

• Illinois 

• Kentucky 

• Louisiana 

• Maine 

• Maryland 

• Massachusetts 

• Michigan 

• Minnesota 

• Mississippi 

• Missouri 

• Montana 

• Nevada 

• New Jersey 

• Ohio 

• Oklahoma 

• Oregon 

• Rhode Island 

• South Dakota 

• US Virgin Islands 

• Virginia 

• West Virginia 

Through the BioTrack acquisition, we do not anticipate these states experiencing any changes to their regulatory system or practices.  

How Does This Affect Me? 

For now, this acquisition does not change any day to day operations for any cannabis license holders.  

For our 365 Cannabis partners, our team is hyper-vigilant to all changes in the industry and are constantly ensuring that every step our partners take is within current compliance. No matter what turns the industry may take, 365 Cannabis customers always receive the best possible support to ensure their success.  

To learn more about 365 Cannabis’s commitment to excellence in cannabis, please reach out to our team. 

The post Everything to Know About the Metrc and BioTrack Merger appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Why “Best of Breed” Cannabis Tech Stacks Are Failing You – And What to Do About It 

I love my job. I love talking to operators about how to win, and I do it ALL DAY. These conversations with operators (hopefully ) then turn into work sessions for new customers.  

I love WATCHING my customers win. 

For years, cannabis operators have been told they need to choose: either invest in niche, cannabis-specific tools built for their sector—or adopt a sprawling enterprise ERP designed for traditional industries. The result? Many teams end up stitching together a #FrankensteinMonster and a dozen other point solutions into a tangled mess they call a “tech stack.” 

Here’s the hard truth: if your cannabis operation is running on a patchwork of disconnected apps, you’re not scaling. You’re surviving. 

I want to talk to YOU about why that Canna-Tech stack you’re building might be your biggest liability: 

1. Data Silos Everywhere 

Each single purpose solution runs its own database. Inventory counts in Canna-Tech inventory system don’t reconcile with financials in QuickBooks. Compliance reports pull from yet another silo. Real-time visibility for reporting? Forget it. 

2. Integration Nightmares 

Yes, APIs exist. But integrations between these small platforms are fragile, limited, and often require costly middleware or manual exports. Every new tool you add increases complexity exponentially. 

3. Surface-Level Functionality 

Sure, some Canna-Tech handles RFID and METRC reporting well. Cultivation specific websites might give you decent cultivation tracking. But when you need serious financial controls, advanced manufacturing, or multi-site supply chain management? These tools just aren’t designed to handle it. Don’t forget, all these tools started as a METRC skin! 

4. Support Headaches 

With multiple vendors, who do you call when things break? One app blames the other. Your IT team spends more time managing tickets than improving operations. 

So my favorite question to ask is: What if you didn’t have to choose between specialist tools and enterprise power? What if you could have both? 

365 Cannabis is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central — a global ERP backbone supporting finance, inventory, supply chain, and compliance from a single source of truth.  

But it’s not just a generic ERP: 

• Cannabis-specific functionality is layered in by industry experts and operators. 

• Compliance tools evolve alongside regulatory changes. 

• Cultivation management and retail ops are native, not bolted on. 

• Power BI reporting gives real-time visibility across your operation. 

• Microsoft’s platform means scalability, security, and innovation baked in. 

Why Choose Microsoft + 365 Cannabis Over Can-Tech? 

• One System, Not a Stack: Finance, ops, compliance, and cultivation, unified. 

• Global Platform: Microsoft continuously invests billions in the ecosystem. 

• Real-Time Data: From seed to sale to financials, all in sync. 

• Single Vendor: No finger-pointing, just clear accountability. 

• Industry Depth: Cannabis expertise built into the ERP—not just in sidecar apps. 

Stop Building Fragile Tech Stacks 

Stacking Canna-Tech, and homebrewed spreadsheets on top of QuickBooks isn’t a long-term strategy. It’s a stopgap. And it’s holding you back. 

With 365 Cannabis on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you’re not choosing between best-of-breed or best-of-suite. You’re choosing the best of both. 

Ready to upgrade? Let’s talk. 

The post ‘Best of Breed’ is failing you appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Why is Dab Day celebrated on July 10^th?  

When the characters ‘710’ are flipped upside down, they look like the characters ‘OIL’.  

New Frontier Data reported that vape products “were included in transactions at nearly the same rate among both men & women (21%).” Regardless of age, we’re seeing one in five cannabis shoppers reaching for oil.  

Unique Challenges of the 710 Cannabis Supply Chain 

The processing of cannabis extracts can be done a few different ways, but all routes lead to a complex supply chain. Extracting oil from flower can be tedious and often requires a lot of hardware to produce finished goods. This long path to finished goods leaves the supply chain with several points of vulnerability where things can go wrong or get expensive.  

Modern Solutions for Cannabis Challenges  

Operators who work with vape and concentrates understand the high overhead and hyper-specific regulations required to work in the extract world.  

Three of the Top Reported Cannabis Operator Issues During Production:  

• Remaining compliant per METRC or BioTrack throughout production  

• Not knowing exact COGS  

• Reporting is too slow for accurate inventory or batch tracking  

How Do Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers Stay Compliant Through Production? 

The strongest operators have both a compliance expert on staff full time as well as a compliance-based software. 

As more cannabis licenses are issued, the need for cannabis compliance managers rises. The average salary for a cannabis compliance manager averages out to over $90K a year. These roles are typically a one-person department with some exceptions for large, enterprise-level operations that justify a full compliance team.  

There is an opportunity for human error with compliance team members, so the best way to ensure compliance is utilizing tools that guarantee compliance guardrails. Many compliance experts advocate for software that has embedded connections with localized compliance regulators like METRC, BioTrack, and Health Canada. The best cannabis ERP for concentrate producers will all have strong relations with regulators.  

How Can Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers Track COGS During Production? 

There are a few ways operators track their COGS that range from very vulnerable to airtight. The most vulnerable way is to manually track spend and labor across finished product. While it appears simple on the surface, it ends up with lots of opportunity for missing numbers, simple typos causing calculation errors, and the chance that it could all be wrong or overlook key spend.  

The airtight solutions ensure accurate tracking based on accounting software for pricing, compliance measures that track what is used where and when, and labor. These tracking practices also deliver an accurate bill of materials for extraction inputs. Utilizing tools that empower operators to know their true cost per gram delivers the control over costs that business owners dream about. Airtight software solutions offer two absolute non-negotiables: accounting integration and compliance data. With accounting integration, spend is inherently tracked and verified for complete accuracy. Compliance data ensure each step of production is tracked and verified against products used, finished goods, and hardware depreciation. The best airtight solutions will be wholly integrated across operational platforms to ensure internal data transparency and compliance accuracy for all aspects of the business.  

Why is Reporting so Slow for Inventory or Batch Tracking?  

The solution here is a better solution. There are some cannabis tech stack companies that are built for cannabis without the resources to ensure a long-lasting product. There are also companies with tried-and-true tech that are not made with cannabis in mind. There are a select few tech companies that truly established technological resources and reliability with the custom infrastructure for the cannabis industry. More advanced tech-based companies will have live reporting, like Jet Reports. 

How Can Cannabis Operators Refine Their Supply Chain?  

By working with an ERP solution that understand their unique challenges across every aspect of the cannabis industry.  

365 Cannabis is powered by Microsoft, so our cannabis partners can take advantage of the suite of Microsoft business platforms, reporting capabilities, and fully integrated suite of support. Aside from the well-grounded tech, the team is powered by cannabis veterans from across North America who are dedicated to the industry’s success.  

The post How Cannabis ERP Solves 710 Cannabis Supply Chain Challenges appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

In today’s fast-paced business world, efficiency is everything. While many will look to ERP’s as the pinnacle of efficiency, they are an essential tool but not a magic fix. Let’s dive into why it’s essential to establish strong business practices now to get the most out of your ERP.

Build A Strong Foundation 

Just like a sturdy foundation is essential for a stable building, having robust business practices is the foundation of a successful ERP implementation. If your existing habits involve inefficiencies, inaccuracies, or poor communication, introducing a cannabis ERP system without addressing these issues is like building a skyscraper on quicksand. By fixing these habits beforehand, you ensure a strong foundation for your ERP project to flourish. 

Data Accuracy and Integrity: Garbage In, Garbage Out 

Imagine handing a powerful microscope to a lab technician with shaky hands – just as shaky data feeding an ERP system will only amplify existing errors and inconsistencies. Like putting a fresh coat of paint on a crumbling house, implementing a new ERP without addressing poor data quality is setting it up for failure. Just as fundamental to an ERP system’s success as its functionality is the cleanliness and accuracy of the information it ingests. Contaminated data guarantees contaminated output, rendering the promised benefits of an ERP system out of reach. So, before your shiny new system arrives, clean house – prioritize data hygiene and ensure your ERP foundation is rock-solid with reliable, accurate information. 

Redefine Misaligned Processes 

Cannabis ERP software is designed to streamline and optimize business processes. However, if your current processes are convoluted, manual, or outdated, implementing an ERP will only automate the chaos. It’s wiser to reevaluate and revamp your processes first. This way, you’re not just automating inefficiency; you’re setting up your cannabis ERP system to maximize its potential. 

Don’t Resist, Embrace Change 

Implementing a new cannabis ERP system often requires significant changes in how employees work. Resistance to change is a common challenge in such situations. If an organization’s culture and workforce are not prepared for these changes, the ERP system’s potential benefits will be limited. Employee training, communication, and change management strategies are essential to mitigate resistance and ensure successful ERP implementation. 

Secure Executive Leadership and Ownership 

Successful cannabis ERP implementations require strong executive leadership and ownership of the project. Without the commitment of top management to drive the change, allocate resources, and make critical decisions, an ERP project can easily derail. A new ERP system alone cannot compensate for a lack of leadership and accountability within the organization. 

Minimalism vs. Customization Overload 

While ERP systems offer a wide range of features and functionalities, some organizations fall into the trap of excessive customization instead of trying to fix the root cause of the problem. Customizing the ERP system too extensively can lead to increased complexity, higher costs, and longer implementation times. It’s crucial to strike a balance between tailoring the ERP system to specific business needs and sticking to standard best practices to avoid creating a system that is overly complex and difficult to maintain. 

The Ultimate Reward: Cost Savings 

Fixing poor habits before implementing cannabis ERP software can save you a bundle in the long run. Correcting inefficiencies, improving data accuracy, and streamlining processes can lead to cost savings that far outweigh the initial investment in habit adjustments. It’s a bit like fixing those leaky faucets before the bathroom renovation – it’s an investment that pays off. 

While a new Enterprise Resource Planning system can offer significant advantages for organizations, it cannot fix poor business practices on its own. Before jumping headfirst into an ERP implementation, take a step back and assess your organization’s habits, processes, and culture. ERP implementation should be viewed as an opportunity to drive positive change within the organization, but it requires careful planning, preparation, and a commitment to addressing fundamental business challenges. By addressing and solidifying your business processes alongside your ERP implementation you’re ensuring it has the best possible environment to thrive and deliver transformative results. 

The post A Cannabis ERP Won’t Fix Poor Business Practices. The Best Time to Fix Them? Right Now. appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

Expertise and Experience:

Ensure your support team has a deep understanding of the ERP system software in use. Experienced professionals can troubleshoot effectively and provide strategic insights tailored to your business needs.

Proactive Issue Resolution:

Look for a support team that doesn’t just fix problems but anticipates and prevents them. Proactive issue resolution minimizes downtime and keeps your operations running smoothly. 

Availability:

Business operations are not confined to a 9-to-5 schedule. A reliable ERP support team should be available for extended periods of time to address critical issues promptly, regardless of the time of day.

Customization and Optimization Assistance:

Your ERP support team should assist in optimizing the system for your specific business requirements. They should be proficient at customizations, personalizations, and have a robust partner network of ISVs that enhance functionality without compromising stability.

Regular System Updates and Maintenance:

A proactive support team will ensure your ERP system is up-to-date with the latest patches and updates, minimizing vulnerabilities and improving overall system performance.

Effective Communication:

Clear and consistent communication is key. A good support team keeps you informed about ongoing issues, resolutions, and any potential system enhancements that could benefit your business.

Comprehensive Training Programs:

To maximize the benefits of your ERP system, your team should go through an in-depth training during implementation, including the training of an in-house “super user.” This empowers your team to utilize the ERP system software to its full potential, reducing dependency on external support for routine tasks.

Data Security Measures:

ERP systems house sensitive business data. Your support team should prioritize and implement robust security measures to safeguard against data breaches and unauthorized access.

Scalability Support:

As your business grows, so should your ERP system. A proactive support team assists in scaling the system to accommodate increased data volumes and transaction loads without compromising performance.

User Feedback Integration:

A support team that values user feedback ensures continuous improvement. They should actively seek input from users to identify areas of improvement and implement changes that enhance the user experience.

The success of your system is intricately tied to the effectiveness of your ERP system support team. By prioritizing these ten essentials, businesses can ensure a seamless ERP experience that not only resolves issues promptly but also contributes to the ongoing optimization and growth of their ERP environment.

The post Navigating Success: Top 10 Essentials from Your ERP System Support Team appeared first on 365 Cannabis.

These restrictions require dispensaries to think outside of the box, research and understand ever-changing trends, and act fast on the opportunities that remain.

Below are seven dispensary advertising ideas that are simple yet effective.

Roll in Some More Green with These Brilliant Dispensary Marketing Ideas

1. Create experiences worth sharing

This one should be obvious. Dispensaries are subjected to a ton of local and state laws restricting or eliminating advertising options. Nonetheless, you can turn your marketing focus entirely to the experience you’re providing to your customers.

If you’re running a dispensary with a purely transactional relationship, you’re missing out on a much-needed customer retention strategy.

Dispensaries are the new Starbucks, popping up on just about every corner. If you’re not doing something that differentiates you from the dispensary across the street, you’re automatically losing.

Experiences don’t have to break the bank and are often small tweaks to staff and store flow. Some of our favorite in-store experiences include activities during the wait time, friendly and knowledgeable budtenders, and complimentary refreshments.

2. Web Presence

The ball is in your court on your private website, where you control the conversation and legally engage your audience.

Driving traffic can be more difficult than you think. With so much competition, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Dispensary SEO is the most effective way to increase traffic and exposure. Constantly publishing content, and optimizing your site for user experience are practical tactics. And, collecting customer data will keep you at the forefront of your market.

3. Quality Social Content

The most popular social media platforms don’t allow ads from cannabis-related companies. The best alternative to ads is publishing useful content instead.

Dispensary Twitter and Instagram accounts often rank higher than certain web pages brought up in Google searches. Creating social content that contains keywords you want to rank for allows you to rig the system.

4. Online Reviews

As a business owner and consumer, you understand how important online reviews are for your dispensary marketing. A 2019 local consumer review survey from BrightLocal found that:

• 82% of consumers read reviews for local businesses 
• Consumers read an average of 10 online reviews before feeling able to trust a local business
• 53% of consumers will only use a business if it has 4 or more stars
• 89% of 18 to 34-year-old consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
• 97% of consumers read businesses’ responses to reviews

Word of mouth and personal recommendations are the primary sources of traffic for local businesses. Additionally, it is the fastest way to get new customers, especially for advertising-restricted industries. Create dispensary experiences that encourage, amplify, and escalate reviews and referrals.

5. Reward Loyal Customers

Dispensaries face a lot of limitations on how they can engage potential new customers. This makes it even more essential to retain and upsell the ones you’ve already got.

A loyalty or rewards program can foster long-term relationships with your dispensary, increasing the value of every customer.

The most important part of loyalty is communication. Ask for an email address in the checkout line for an e-receipt, and allow them to opt-in for promotional emails, newsletters, product updates, and tips. A great, low-friction strategy is to install tablets that let customers complete orders and fill in information themselves, right at the register.

6. Partner With Other Local Businesses

Dispensary marketing can work well if your business can partner with other local businesses that are cannabis-friendly. This tactic puts your dispensary in front of a warm audience that already engages with a specific product/service that complements your own.

Local restaurants, breweries, and even advocacy groups like NORML can drive traffic to your storefront. This tactic requires push-and-pull marketing. You must make sure you are promoting the other businesses if you expect them to be promoting yours.

7. Community Involvement

Show support for your community by hosting charity drives and volunteering at events. Charities are always looking for community partners to help raise funds and collect goods. Hosting a food, clothing, or toy drive shows your customers that you care. This also works well to get your staff out in the community.

Whether it’s a park clean-up or volunteer day at a shelter, this is a great opportunity to wear your branded swag, get photos for social media, and involve your staff and customers in an impactful way. You can also offer discounts to customers who donate items and volunteer time to drive traffic.

Manage your Cannabis Dispensary Marketing Efforts

365 Cannabis offers ERP software with built-in POS dedicated to the cannabis industry. If you want your cannabis brand to shine, make sure your technology supports all of your sales and customer loyalty efforts.

If you’re a dispensary, a grow operation, or any other cannabis-related business, we’re your one-stop cannabis software shop that’s just a short email or phone call away. Let’s get started with a demo!

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