With the ERP market expanding, ERP vendors must keep up with modern ERP trends to ensure they meet ever-changing consumer needs.
So, what should you be looking for in your ERP to ensure it is in line with modern trends? Here are the top 4 ERP trends to look out for in 2017.
1: Top quality ERP security
Ensure your data is protected with a secure ERP provider
Your ERP maintains and manages highly sensitive key business details and functions. However, with technologies continuing to evolve, rising security threats, and highly connected software options – data breaches, leaked details, and intellectual property threats are not uncommon.
Therefore, ensuring your ERP provider prioritises security is a critical requirement for your business in 2017.
2: Customisation and Integration
Ensuring customisation and integration allows all systems to work together, keeping your business operating as it should.
All too often, consumers find they have purchased an ERP that doesn’t integrate with the platforms they use, nor does it offer the different functionalities they need – leaving them to pay extra for features they originally thought were included in their initial package.
Businesses constantly evolve, and their ERP needs to evolve with them. Having a completely customisable ERP, that integrates with your required systems, allows for easier staff use, removes unnecessary or unwanted features, and ensures your system is designed to meet your business needs – not the other way around.
3: Minimising disparate systems for SMEs
Systems that don’t speak to each other simply cause chaos
Traditionally, ERPs were used by enterprise-level companies or big businesses who could afford to invest in one platform that combined all aspects of business management. But with the increasing issues created by disparate systems – inefficient data management, discrepancies, and stock control- even mid-sized businesses are hit hard. With more affordable options now available to SMEs, they no longer have to waste time attempting to figure out issues that could have been easily avoided through a single system. More and more SMEs are looking to implement an ERP that minimises disparate systems, allowing for:
- Seamless integration;
- A single data storage unit;
- Manageable and contactable ERP support; and
- Rules that can be integrated across multiple system modules.
An ERP this uses minimal disparate systems results in better compliance and organisational flow, and makes updating and customising your system easier. This option has become more affordable in recent years, ultimately making it more appealing to mid-sized businesses.
4: Intelligent ERPs
ERPs are smart, but they will only get smarter – make sure yours doesn’t get left behind.
Top ERPs have started moving beyond the simple notion of process-orientated and automated tasks. This year’s top ERPs offer detailed business analysis, billing forecasting, and revenue tracking – giving more guidance than legacy ERP systems.
This trend is rapidly increasing and is worth discussing with your current or future ERP provider to ensure your business doesn’t get trapped in a stale, legacy ERP framework.
How can you ensure your ERP is on par with emerging trends?
Think about the four key ERP trends for 2017, does your current ERP provider appear on trend? If so, you are one of the lucky businesses who have an ERP provider capable of keeping you ahead of your competitors using a less-desirable system.
However, if you don’t believe your current provider stacks up against these trends, or you are simply beginning to consider which ERP system is right for your business, below are five questions to you can use to evaluate the ERP providers out there:
- How are you ensuring your platform is secure?
- How customisable is your solution?
- Once I have established the way I want my ERP to function, will it integrate with my required systems?
- Does it entail disparate systems that do not speak to each other, making streamlining my processes difficult?; And
- Tell me about the history of your platform, how have you evolved your product over time?”
How can we help?
At Micronet, we are constantly seeking ways to update and improve our software and services, based on ERP trends and feedback. The feedback we get from our thousands of users worldwide is one of our most valuable sources of information, allowing us to guide our development in both our short term key features and long term product development – ensuring we stay ahead of trends and customer expectations.
Because of this, we have helped thousands of SMEs streamline their business functions through customisable ERP solutions that have been tailored to their specific needs.
If you’d like to speak with me in more detail about the right software solution for your business, please feel free to contact me directly. You can reach me on 02 9542 2000.
Stuart Duncan is a Senior Sales Consultant at Micronet Systems and is focused on helping business leaders overcome inefficient processes regarding sales, inventory and accounting systems by leveraging cutting edge technology. If you want to gain better control of your key processes, then leverage Stuart’s 35 years of experience to help you drive real change in your business.