ERP and Its Future: 5 Trends to Watch in 2014 and Beyond

ERP and Its Future

Having a single integrated system to manage workflow and plan resources is something that companies, big or small, cannot afford to ignore. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) has helped companies to reduce unnecessary data entry and to streamline workflow, thereby reducing costs. Precious man-hours can instead be used to improve efficiency and increase profits. It helps companies to store and manage data through every stage. So read this post thoroughly to know more about ERP and its Future.

ERP helps in making companies more agile by helping streamline the process of product planning, cost and development. It needn’t be said that ERP is essential when it comes to using data in manufacturing, marketing and inventory management. Finally, ERP is also used for shipping, payment and customer relationship management. In short, ERP helps a company to streamline the process right from the initial stages of conception of a product to the retention of customers.

While ERP is already an accepted form of business management software, it may see a number of changes this year. Here are a few trends that we expect to see in 2014:

Top 6 ERP Blunders

Increasing Importance to Data Security:

Though ERP is becoming increasingly common, there are several issues that companies have faced recently. Increasing amounts of data and fears over data security have given rise to apprehensions about using ERP systems. In 2014 and beyond, we see these fears increase among ERP users. ERP systems will likely become more privacy-aware and developers will use technology to combat security threats against data. ERP systems will become more cautious about both external and internal threats when it comes to malicious attacks and suspicious accesses.

ERP is likely to use Cloud Computing more often:

As with everything else, ERP will find its place in the cloud. The future of ERP will lean towards cloud-based solutions rather than on-site solutions, which have so far remained popular. While cloud-based ERP systems have already become popular, they will likely become more prevalent among users.

Democratization of ERP:

Enterprise resource planning often helps companies to regularize and centralize operations, thanks to which data can be shared across platforms. However, this centralization of data sharing has often increased the apprehensions of managers who often do not like information being made available across all platforms. While there are already privacy options within centralized ERP solutions, the future will lean towards democratizing ERP solutions further.

ERP is likely to become Leaner:

An ERP system is often conceived to be a centralized platform that takes care of a company’s business data and manage it as well. However, many companies that use ERP often feel that ERP platforms are bulky and cumbersome. 2014 will likely see ERP systems getting leaner. A lean ERP software system will be easier to manage, especially with things looking bright on the cloud front.

ERP will become More Customizable:

At the moment, ERP systems are mostly proprietary software programs that often cannot be changed or customized much. However, in 2014, ERP systems are likely to provide more customization options for companies, without losing the advantages that proprietary software programs usually have. There is an increasing trend towards customized ERP solutions, especially when it comes to business data management.

With an increased focus on cloud based technologies, ERP will follow the suit of other business software programs in adopting cloud-based technology. The convenience of cloud based technologies and the importance of data security will drive changes within ERP programs and result in important updates. One can also expect a certain sense of democratization to happen, within the realm of employee resource planning. ERP systems will likely allow more customization, enhancing adoption of enterprise resource planning even among companies that have traditionally resisted automation and streamlining for certain creative reasons. Wants to know more about exactllyERP? Feel free to Contact Us and get a Free Demo.