Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions have expanded to support 99% of day-to-day business functions. Whether your business needs help with processes like HR, sales automation, accounting, eCommerce, or other functions, there’s a good chance that the right ERP solution can handle the job with ease. But you don’t want to buy into something that is yesterday’s news or a few months from being obsolete. Your business needs to implement an ERP solution that is on the forefront of the latest trends.
Here are just a few of the latest ERP trends to watch so that you can add them to your wish list while searching for the best ERP software system.
1. Cloud ERP
In the past, many businesses used on-premises ERP software programs that posed a long list of challenges. Among them were the need to maintain robust in-house systems and an inconsistent user experience. Cloud ERP software has exploded in the past several years, giving companies more flexibility, greater functionality, and the ability to scale quickly.
2. Internet of Things (IoT) Integration
Your ERP solution will be much more useful the more it is able to integrate with every facet of the business. One way that ERP systems are innovating is by integrating with the Internet of Things (IoT), which is other connected devices within the organization. For example, the ERP software can speak to and get information from things like barcode scanners, printers, autonomous vehicles, and other devices for the purposes of reporting, maintenance, and giving directions.
3. Personalized Solutions
ERP programs have historically been built with complex programming languages, making it challenging to create customized solutions. But, now that ERP is increasingly cloud-based, it allows for faster and easier configuration of these platforms. This gives organizations the ability to create a more personalized solution that improves productivity as well as the customer experience.
4. Two-Tier ERP
Historically, many organizations attempted to have a single ERP system that worked for both the headquarters and all regional and local offices. But this approach was challenging to implement. One of the top trends in ERP software is a move toward a two-tiered ERP system. This enables organizations to hold onto their current system at the corporate level and implement a new, cloud-based ERP solution for everywhere else. This can be effective provided the two tiers can communicate.
5. Mobile ERP
Whether working from home, in different parts of the office, or otherwise on the move, employees need mobile technology solutions to help them succeed. ERP software companies are continuing to improve mobile support for their solutions. Examples include the availability of mobile apps and allowing users to conduct front-end and back-end tasks from mobile devices through a user-friendly interface.
Making ERP Work for Your Organization
As companies continue to realize the benefits of ERP, they will increasingly adopt this technology and take advantage of ways to further utilize its solutions. But it doesn’t make sense to just pick any ERP solution and hope for the best. The one you choose and how you implement it could make a significant difference in your results.
NetSuite is an all-in-one solution and ERP of choice for many of our clients. NetSuite doesn’t just operate in the cloud, it was born there. It not only features all of the latest ERP trends, but it also continues to implement updated features for its clients.
We are a certified NetSuite Consultant and would be happy to discuss how this solution can benefit your business.
