Business Automation and Software Blog

After you’ve gone through the process of ERP selection, maintaining current enterprise resource planning (ERP) software can seem unnecessary. In fact, for many mid-sized businesses, they believe that current ERP won’t make a difference in satisfying needs, that not enough new features are available to merit a change, and that the disruption to business will be more impactful than the impact software updates can have. To learn more about why staying current with ERP is important and how this makes a positive, instead of the perceived negative, impact on business, visit here. Now, let’s take a look at the many benefits of upgrading ERP software.

Problems arise when companies do not keep their enterprise resource planning (ERP) software current. Not only is ERP selection of a solid system important, but maintaining that system is equally important. Problems stem mainly from the effects outdated technology can have on forcing business operations to lag behind optimal speed and performance. To learn more, visit here.

When your business started the process of ERP selection, did you think through the longevity of the software as well? Not only is ERP selection important, but maintaining the most updated versions is also important. Although the need for ERP is known, do you understand the need to consistently update it as well?

Unlike the philosophy in the world of sports that being first is best, we have been conditioned to a perspective where it is best to wait in the world of technology. For example, in the consumer market, the newest technology typically launches with shock-value price points that begin to drop within a few months, or at least after the holiday retail season. Others will point out that early releases don’t always have all of the “bugs” worked out, and the second or third release is a more stable version of the new technology.

Are you looking for a new ERP software solution? Maybe you are wondering if the one you have now will help you succeed in the future or will instead hinder your ability to compete in the industrial manufacturing industry. There are three must-have components needed in an existing or new ERP software solution for industrial manufacturers. Let’s take a closer look at what they are:

The rapid rate of change in our world is staggering. It is hard to keep up with all that is occurring in a business world that is moving faster and transforming quicker than ever before. Keeping up with all of the changes can be challenging especially when you consider the influence and impact technology and global markets have on systems and practices. The business world is faced with pressures like never before to respond to competition, to global trends, and to the ongoing evolution of business and technological practices.

Technology’s ever developing new systems and fast pace can be challenging for manufacturers with heavily customized systems, and there is constant pressure to decide whether or not to expand functionality based on high costs of modification. To upgrade or not to upgrade is a consistent question being asked in IT departments. Fortunately, modern ERP solutions are built on loosely coupled, flexible architecture for easy expansion, easy upgrades, and easy integration to new applications or legacy solutions.

Manufacturing is back. To harness the momentum created by the manufacturing renaissance, manufacturers need to transform today's challenges into opportunities. It won't be an easy task, and manufacturers will need to completely rethink their business model, organizational structure, and IT landscape.
 
In addition to the new functionality that will be required of future ERP solutions, this IDC White Paper also discusses these critical IT capabilities that will be essential for successful, future manufacturers:

Both professionally and personally speaking, the end of the year is a time to think about ending well and starting fresh in 2015. In order to end well as a company, it’s necessary to be thinking about, planning, and executing your end-of-year closing processes. Your enterprise resources planning (ERP) system needs a year-end closing to give your business the fresh start it needs in the new fiscal year and the peace of mind to know that all records and data have been properly dealt with. In order to be successful in ending 2014 well and starting 2015 off right, consider the following ERP year-end checklist for tips on closing the year out with ease and accuracy.

The enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution options of today are vast and are much more advanced than they were just 10 years ago. The advancements have made them more useful, functional, and more integrated than ever yet are still foundational to operational success. This evolution of ERP software has been driven by rapidly growing interest in technologies that promise immediate benefits to manufacturers, Cloud computing, SaaS (Software as a Service), server virtualization, and social business tools.