How ERP May Evolve in 2010

7/21/2010 at 10:05 am by The Sage ERP Team

The business market is a competitive place. It’s no secret that businesses that aren’t efficient enough get swallowed up in the fray of new start-ups, get dominated by larger corporations and suffer cannibalization at the hands of competing enterprises. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, and if you want to be the biggest, fastest and strongest dog, implementing an ERP system is the way to go.

Much as in other industries, ERP technology isn’t static. In today’s technological climate, you can hardly buy a new television, smartphone or computer without the device becoming obsolete before you even get it home. Luckily, ERP technology isn’t evolving at a rate that makes new ERP systems outdated within months. But the technology is evolving, and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve.

By the end 2010, ERP systems will be even more efficient, cost-effective and rewarding than they are today.

Mobile ERP
Many businesspeople feel that, in today’s age of BlackBerries and iPads, they can’t afford to be disconnected from their business even for a second. Serious businesspeople enjoy continuous access to their e-mails, PowerPoints and spreadsheets, so why shouldn’t they also enjoy continuous access to their ERP systems? Many ERP companies are working to develop mobile interfaces that can increase productivity in departments all across a company, from human relations to finance.

Small Business
ERP is also becoming a more popular choice for small businesses – some with as few as 20 employees. The cost of ERP can be prohibitive for some small businesses, who often don’t have large enough revenues or complex enough business processes to justify the cost of implementing an ERP system. However, small businesses who implement an ERP system reap the same benefits of larger companies with robust ERP systems, including increased productivity, more efficient business practices and the elimination of unnecessary busywork. In today’s economic world, hugely competitive and largely unfavorable business conditions may dictate the need for the cost-saving results ERP can produce for small businesses.

The benefits of implementing an ERP system are numerous, and their effect can be felt immediately by employees and managers alike. While many aspects of ERP may be evolving, the increased productivity, decreased costs and increased efficiency that ERP systems provide will remain constant.