When we last looked at the ERP market in 2015, it was expected to be a banner year for vendors with many companies updating their systems to move toward technological advancements. Now two years later, the ERP market has gotten even more sophisticated, answering the call of companies looking to do more with their ERP systems than ever before. While 2015 opened the door to many ERP advancements, 2017 presents some new and exciting trends for the ERP market as well. Here’s what you can expect to take shape with ERP solutions for this year.
Connecting Through Internet of Things (IoT)
Becoming connected in every way is becoming an essential part of life, and the business world is no different as it looks to ERP to become connected via IoT. Here, companies are able to communicate with every function of their business, providing valuable information that can be managed and analyzed to ensure systemwide performance. In 2015, IoT was just a blip on the radar in the ERP world, and now today it is taking over as the preferred solution for businesses to manage their enterprise.
A Move To Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-based ERP systems are taking over and just as we predicted in 2015, more companies are integrating them into their businesses today. The ability to eliminate time-consuming upgrades allows companies to operate virtually seamlessly with less cost involved and added flexibility in their enterprise solutions. While the initial adopters of cloud-based ERP systems were large manufacturers, there has been a resurgence from midsized companies looking to integrate the technology with their ERP upgrade.
Social Media Connections
With everything revolving around social media, why should ERP solutions be any different? The recent onslaught of companies looking to add social media integration into their ERP has been answered with modifications that provide for this functionality. Not even considered in 2015, today it allows companies yet another opportunity to manage another arm of its business real-time through its ERP.
A Focus On Security
While security has always been a concern for technology users, it has become increasingly apparent in 2017 that businesses need to have a cybersecurity plan and take measures to prevent stolen information within their ERP. It is clear that 2017 marks the start of an enhanced and stronger focus of ERPs vendors addressing this security need for business implementing their solutions.
Big Data Emerges
In 2015, we hoped for the arrival of Big Data to provide better information and easier analyzation. Two years later, it is an essential part of an ERP, giving companies the solution to dissect patterns and trends in their business, market, and industry. This formidable tool is growing and becoming the “go-to” approach for businesses to examine information in a precise and detailed way.
Complete Integration
One could say the theme of 2017 is complete integration as companies are able to incorporate their ERP with their customer relationship management (CRM) and business intelligence (BI) systems, allowing for a streamlined solution that does more. This single-platform tool eliminates the need for separate systems to do different tasks and is a trend that more businesses will look to adopt going forward.
Endless Opportunities
With more players in the ERP game than ever before, companies have the ability to choose based on their business needs, allowing for ERP solutions that are more affordable while providing the total package to customers. The ability to integrate add-ons has also been made easier as ERP vendors look to satisfy customers’ needs now more than ever before – something that wasn’t as much of a consideration only two years prior.
With more companies updating their ERPs to more advanced offerings, 2017 will embark on a new world of technology for ERP systems within the business world. Get ahead of the ERP curve with the guidance of an ERP consultant and a specialist at Resolute Technologies.