Technology Advice: Top 4 ERP Trends to Watch In 2019

Big changes are taking place in the ERP (enterprise resource planning) space. CIO and key decision makers in businesses across all industries are taking note and making big plans for their ERP systems and budgets in 2019. Because they understand that this is not just a new technology to add to their stack, ERP is a business tool that can guide them toward a competitive edge in their respective marketplaces.

ERP Trends To Keep Your Eye On Next Year

1. Expectation of easier-to-use interfaces and more complete integration

   As the organization becomes more and more ingrained in the use of the latest technology tools and the quest for real-time data at all levels of the business, more and more employees will be interacting with the ERP system. In addition, millennials are touch-screen natives, having grown up tapping and swiping rather than mousing and typing. Interfaces will need to evolve accordingly, with better, more intuitive UI, and more appealing design.

2. Mobile access and deep integration as  standard feature

   With remote, part-time, and contracted workforces on the upswing and mobile access a standard feature for all technology tools, the demand will continue to grow for all access ERP tools. A top criterion for most organizations’ next ERP system will be multiple points of access, including mobile. While this creates additional security challenges, the increased productivity and access to information makes the investment worth it.

   Too, users will expect deeper integration with key systems like customer relationship management and project management systems. Hopping back and forth between platforms is time-consuming, inconvenient and error prone.

3. BI taking the front seat

   Business intelligence, big data, and real-time analytics are moving from the wish list to the top objective of organizations that want to edge out their competition in 2019. ERP systems will be expected to push the envelope in these areas, providing deep, real-time insights to assist with the success of the business in terms of operational efficiencies, productivity, product development, marketing and so much more. Too, developers will need to stretch their storytelling skills. This is largely due to new data consumers within the enterprise expecting expect BI to be presented in ways that are visual, intuitive and quickly understood. Organizations no longer seek to simply capture the data. Their goal is to find tools that can help them make meaningful sense of their data.

4. Complete adoption of cloud-based systems

   The conversation in 2019 will not be surrounded with analysis of whether cloud-based ERP is the right course for the organization. It will be around “When?” or “How quickly?”, if it has not made the shift already. As companies seek to stay current on the latest technology and security advances, as well as strive to keep infrastructure budgets as slim as they can be, the cloud is widely-accepted as the best direction to head, in either now or in the short-term future.

Over the years, CIOs, CFOs, project managers, and implementation teams have grappled with cracking the code on what it takes to achieve ERP success — not just an out-of-the-box version of success but one that truly fits their organizational objectives. In 2019, these technology trends and best practices that will help finetune the success rate of your ERP as well as help your ERP system navigate your business toward its goals.