The ERP of the future

A study by Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), published on behalf of ERP solution provider godesys, has found: Nearly one in four companies do not believe their system will be able to meet the demands of the coming years. But what should companies and organizations look out for? The following describes the ERP of the future:

1. consistently digitize business processes

If companies want to optimize workflows, they must first learn to think in terms of processes. Since many ERP solutions are purely functional, they do not sufficiently support this process concept. It is essential to rely on an integrated process approach together with powerful workflow technology. In this way, IT systems can be adapted independently and quickly to changing business requirements - an important prerequisite in times that constantly demand new and fast decisions. Within an agile ERP, all processes can ideally be represented uniformly and transparently in the process architecture. In addition, it should be possible to store central reference processes as a set of rules. In this way, the ERP can be used as an internal control system for operational compliance or quality management. To achieve these goals, it is advisable to pay attention to service-oriented architecture (SOA) in the ERP, since it makes it easier to implement desired functions.

2. focus on business strategy, content and communication

High performance requires ERP systems that uniformly integrate three central "Cs": Content, Communication and Commerce. Companies must increasingly pay attention to target group-specific content, well-integrated communication between departments and players, and a focus on corporate strategy. It is essential to find solutions that move the company forward as a whole. The software must be easy and self-explanatory to use, without any additional development effort. A practical example: First, the user creates the workflow. For example, he wants the delivery bill to be printed only after it has been approved by management. The ERP user can link the respective processes. The system recognizes - without any major programming effort - when the delivery note may be printed.

3. transparency and joint processing possibilities

Companies that want a sustainably powerful and future-oriented ERP should also make sure that all users always have an overview of which processes currently need to be handled in the system. The seamless exchange of information is essential. It is helpful, for example, if the solution tells the user what needs to be done. Take delivery note authorization, for example: If the employee has specified that the delivery bill may not be printed until the supervisor has authorized it, the system sends this to-do to the relevant contact person in real time. Such a notification function helps to improve workflows and avoid errors.

4. evaluate data and use it throughout the company

In addition, the ERP of the future should offer options for validating data as it is entered and visualizing it afterwards. The software should support companies in standardizing data, bringing it together cleanly and making it usable across all departments. Only in this way can the potential inherent in the data be used efficiently. Keyword Business Intelligence (BI): Many companies shy away from analysis and BI because they are afraid of great effort and enormous costs. However, there are now ERP solutions that offer BI functionalities. With the help of their software, users can, for example, clearly evaluate which customers have declining average sales, which customers have increasing order frequencies or declining invoice values. Reasons for cancellations or items that cannot be delivered can also be evaluated. The consistent analysis of data in the ERP shows trends and related opportunities for companies.

5. real-time information

Due to the digital transformation, the variety and complexity of data is continuously increasing. Companies must therefore increasingly be able to automate and exchange information in real time. Software that allows companies to control the processing of processes and mass data independently of the user offers a major plus in efficiency in this context. It should also be possible to delegate processes easily so that standard processes are carried out automatically and users can concentrate on their core tasks. It also makes sense to support automated invoice processing.

Godelef Kühl, founder and CEO of godesys AG, sums up: "The separation between IT and business is becoming increasingly blurred. The ERP of the future supports company leaders in modeling processes and linking them with business components. Users of godesys ERP can map process changes in workflows, a central prerequisite for being able to act quickly and flexibly."

Source and further information: www.godesys.de