Five Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) trends to watch out for now and in the near future.
Technology is advancing quicker than we could have ever imagined. Due to this, it is becoming increasingly tough to predict what we think could happen in the future. The trends in ERP which we have chosen might not be brand new to your knowledge. However, keeping them at the forefront of your mind when considering an ERP strategy will help you make the best crucial decisions for your business information systems.
SME Adoption
ERP systems are not only for large corporate enterprises. Who shouldn’t benefit from a system that houses everything you need to run a business? The flexible, scalable solutions that are available and the fact they are more affordable than ever means SMBs are increasingly likely to invest.
Agile Methodology
We use the agile approach in our work, day in, day out. People appear to be realising that you can’t run a project based on a robust set of principles. In reality, it does not work. Due to the complex nature of ERP projects and to avoid failure, businesses should adopt an agile approach, or at least be more flexible with things like timescale and budget. The business environment is changing each day rapidly. According to ERP Focus, ‘57% of ERP projects take longer than expected’. So, the requirements you set out to fulfil at the start of a project may change part the way through. You will need to be prepared to adapt to these changes.
Cloud ERP
ERP solutions set up in the cloud continue to take centre stage. Other areas like CRM as an example, are now widely known to be based in the cloud rather than on-premise. It could soon be the same for ERP systems. There are many reasons for this, such as outsourced 24/7 IT support and the ability to access information anywhere through the use of the cloud. This trend could accelerate as a top trend, the more that SMEs decide to adopt ERP. Hosting ERP in the cloud is a much more affordable and secure solution for a small business than on-premise solutions.
User-interface Enhancements
Over the next few years, Generation Z are moving into the workplace. These individuals have grown up in a high-tech environment. It would be unacceptable to assume young professionals will be happy to work with historic dashboards that they can’t make sense of. Software providers need to ensure they have a user-friendly offering. Not only will this benefit the young ones but those older too. Personalising the user experience to make it the best it can be will increase both user satisfaction and engagement.
Security Improvements
With the likes of GDPR making waves, security, especially in terms of data is emerging as a top priority for many businesses. It’s not so much about the information you hold, but how you choose to handle it. The ERP system won’t set itself up to abide by and adhere to laws and regulations. When selecting, implementing or improving a system, you must be clear with your requirements and keep on top of anything that changes during the process. When living with an ERP system, someone must ensure that it is updated regularly to guarantee you stay compliant.
