The problem with manufacturing ERP workarounds

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Businesses with declining enterprise software often employ workarounds to circumvent flawed features. In fact, an estimated 84 percent of organizations have at least one of these system bypasses in place, according to research from Aptean.

On the surface, such technical detours may seem harmless. However, workarounds often have an adverse impact on the business – the costs of which could far outweigh the expenses that accompany system upgrade or replacement.

Manufacturing firms with collapsing enterprise resource planning platforms would be wise to explore the consequences of prolonged software bypass usage and juxtapose those repercussions against the potential downsides of an ERP swap.

Here are some common ERP workarounds and how they affect operations.

Spreadsheets
Employees forced to abandon ERP software for the sake of productivity often turn to spreadsheets. Aptean found that these longstanding tabulation tools were go-to solutions for three-quarters of workaround users.

While familiar, spreadsheets used in place of ERP components pose several significant problems, ERP Focus reported.

For one, these standalone software implements interrupt data flow, siloing key operational insights and stymieing production processes. Additionally, shop floor, partner and customer information stored in spreadsheets is far more susceptible to theft than data filed away in the carefully controlled and protected confines of an ERP.

Notebook and paper
Almost 30 percent of the employees who take advantage of software workarounds attest to putting pen to paper, according to Aptean. These traditional tools lay the groundwork for large-scale information mismanagement, resulting in slower operations in the short-term and institutional data loss in the long-term, ERP Software Blog reported.

In today’s fast-moving manufacturing climate, these outcomes can cause significant damage to the organization.

Customized software
Information technology teams sometimes engineer software-based workarounds to assist struggling colleagues. However, these customized ERP modules often catalyze internal disarray.

Employees run into usage issues stemming from bespoke integration code, reducing productivity and compromising shop floor production. On top of this, custom software additions of this kind have been known to lead to further ERP decline, preventing IT teams from installing new updates, according to Aptean.

In the end, these small workarounds and the complications they cause weigh on the bottom line. Manufacturing firms can avoid financial hits of this sort by swapping diminished ERP software for new solutions that meet their core operational needs.

Accent Software can help manufacturers considering this course of action. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, we provide vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses in the manufacturing space to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

System selection criteria every manufacturer should consider when switching ERPs

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Pinpointing the perfect manufacturing enterprise resource planning solution is no easy task in today’s oversaturated ERP market.

With more than 200 different available platforms, the cross-functional teams responsible for sourcing and implementing manufacturing ERPs have considerable work ahead of them, according to research from Panorama Consulting Solutions.

However, these groups are not doomed to scour the proverbial ERP haystack in vain. ERP implementation teams with strong system selection criteria can sort through potential solutions and identify software that can make a significant impact on the shop floor. Here are three of those critical variables:

1. Operational compatibility
Despite the prevalence of industry-agnostic ERP solutions, customization continues to be commonplace among adopters. In fact, an estimated 82 percent of the businesses that implement ERP software work with vendors to modify their respective systems, Panorama found.

This state of affairs seems to indicate that adopters in the manufacturing space can safely select just about any ERP solution on the market and see success. In reality, this is not the case, Industry Week reported.

“With more than 200 different available ERP platforms, manufacturers have considerable work ahead of them.”

Manufacturing firms must look for vendors with products that meet their core business needs without serious customization. While some code modification is acceptable and even necessary, implementation teams should only consider ERP technology that matches existing internal processes.

2. A track record of success
Manufacturing ERP software alone cannot prompt operational transformation. Vendors must collaborate with adopters to tightly integrate ERP technology into mission-critical shop floor practices and create employee training resources that emphasize system-usage best practices. These and other ancillary implementation activities allow organizations to get the most out of their solutions and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

Manufacturers navigating the ERP adoption process should keep this in mind and carefully assess vendors on their ability to deliver on larger project goals, CIO reported. How? Client references are ideal, as past or current customers can effectively capture the entire implementation experience, from software installation to post-implementation support.

3. Room for ERP expansion
Businesses in virtually every sector are interested in exploring some of the newer ERP components entering the market, according to research from Cisco.

Artificial intelligence modules, robotic process automation features and internet of things connectors are among these cutting-edge system elements, many of which may soon transform from nice-to-haves into system essentials due to the continued development of Industry 4.0. Manufacturing firms would be wise to take note of these ascendant ERP fixtures and search for systems that can grow with as needed.

In the end, organizations in the manufacturing space that emphasize these system selection criteria can put into place effective ERP technology that facilitates operational transformation.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP platforms of this kind. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

3 strategies for finding a manufacturing ERP that fits

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Manufacturing enterprise resource planning software features alone cannot catalyze change on the shop floor. These components must square with mission-critical administrative and production processes in order to lay the groundwork for transformation.

Sadly, a significant number of ERP adopters in the manufacturing space disregard the issue of solution fit and put into place products that not only drive up implementation costs due to extensive customization, but also lay the groundwork for system dysfunction down the line, according to Panorama Consulting Solutions.

Manufacturers can avoid both of these issues by focusing on solution fit when navigating the ERP selection process. Here are three strategies firms can use to find manufacturing ERPs that could work with core business functionalities:

Consider system size
ERP platforms vary in scale, depending on intended use. Those designed for manufacturing firms are normally on the robust size as businesses in the industry must track numerous moving operational parts. However, oversized systems can quickly become unwieldy, leading to considerable backend issues that can hurt the bottom line, IT Toolbox reported.

Products that are too small, on the other hand, can fail outright when paired with expansive shop floor workflows. Manufacturers must carefully consider solution size to ensure they avoid both extremes.

Evaluate support services
Powerful software can indeed have an immense impact on manufacturing operations. That said, such systems are only as effective as the vendor support offerings that accompany them.

This reality makes it necessary for firms in the manufacturing arena to vet the employee training and maintenance services that come with potential ERP solutions, according to ERP Software Blog.

Take users into account
ERP implementation success depends on the users who ultimately deploy such platforms in the workplace. Consequently, manufacturers should remember to consider employees and how they navigate the administrative and shop floor spaces when selecting new ERP software.

For example, if an organization supports a large pool of mobile users enrolled in a bring-your-own-device program, its ERP search committee would be wise to focus on solutions with mobile-ready interfaces, CIO reported.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP technology that fits their respective production processes and therefore sets them on the path to success.

As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

How will A.I. power the next generation of manufacturing ERP solutions?

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Enterprise artificial intelligence technology is rapidly changing how organizations across numerous industries do business.

In 2017, for example, product and service teams at Coca-Cola used the transformative computational tool to assess demand for Cherry Sprite, which the company ultimately launched following the review of favorable customer feedback collected through A.I.-equipped soda fountains, according to Deloitte.

In another instance, the investment banking conglomerate Morgan Stanley took a more operational route, rolling out backend workflows that leveraged A.I. to automate mindless administrative tasks and free up financial advisors so they could more effectively connect with clients.

A large number of businesses are attempting to follow in the footsteps of these early adopters. In fact, enterprises worldwide are expected to spend more than $19 billion on A.I. technology in 2018, analysts for the International Data Corporation found.

However, this development encapsulated merely one facet of the enterprise A.I. revolution. In addition to catalyzing change within individual businesses, this innovation is transforming the entire information technology marketplace. Now, software companies are adjusting their products to more effectively support organizations pursuing A.I. workflows. This includes manufacturing enterprise resource planning providers, many of which are developing redesigned offerings centered on the latest A.I. technology.

But the question remains: How exactly will these soon-to-be-released ERP tools differ from existing iterations?

Data-driven workflow assistance
Establishing streamlined user processes is one of the most difficult aspects of manufacturing ERP implementation. Organizations that fail to create workflows that support employee productivity can suffer serious operational setbacks as workers struggle to incorporate ERP usage into their everyday activities.

The next generation of A.I.-driven ERP technology could reduce the likelihood of such outcomes, IT Toolbox reported. These platforms will leverage complex algorithms to learn user behaviors and generate automated solution optimization strategies that employees can use to seamlessly navigate new backend tools and perform to the best of their abilities.

Automated business intelligence
Traditionally, manufacturers have used ERP systems to pinpoint trends and to spot operational areas in need of improvement. This requires some manual data analysis work, as well as vigilant platform monitoring.

A.I.-infused manufacturing ERPs could make it easier for firms to perform both of these tasks, according to the International Data Group. Algorithms will take over all data mining and analysis work and generate operational suggestions that decision-makers can act on, leading to more responsive shop floor practices and increased opportunity for revenue gain.

Accelerated customer response
Modern ERP solutions buoy customer service operations, helping manufacturers develop quality products, maintain fast-moving and secure logistics channels and provide robust support offerings enriched by historical account context.

However, improvement is possible, especially when it comes to field service deployment, which can be hit or miss depending on the quality of trouble ticket processing workflows.

ERP software equipped with A.I. functionality could address this variation by allowing technicians to take advantage of augmented or virtual reality devices that incorporate system data to speed up root cause identification and repair efforts, IT Toolbox reported.

These are just a few of the ways A.I.-centered ERP platforms could bolster manufacturing operations and lay the groundwork for sector-wide growth. As the technology crystallizes, new use cases and benefits will no doubt materialize.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement cutting-edge ERP technology designed to support sustained operational productivity.

As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which not only allows businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software but also enables them to build out A.I. functionality via integration with Azure Cognitive Services.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

Unpacking manufacturing ERP maintenance and support

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The enterprise resource planning implementation processes encompass an extensive number of tasks. However, few of these activities are as important as pinpointing effective system maintenance and support options.

These services are critical to short- and long-term ERP success, an unavoidable reality manufacturing firms that fail to implement such offerings grapple with as their unsupported solutions falter. Potential ERP adopters in the manufacturing space can avoid disastrous outcomes of this nature by prioritizing maintenance and support, and pinpoint packages with top-notch features.

Here are some of those key maintenance and support components:

An advantageous service-level agreement
These contracts are intended to set out expectations for maintenance and support providers, outlining critical service metrics they must meet in order to receive payment. However, many service-level agreements are weighted toward the vendor and contain fairly lightweight penalty clauses, according to TechTarget.

Adopters must be on the lookout for such unfavorable agreements and come into negotiations with hard performance metrics that hold service providers accountable. Manufacturers that have successfully obtained maintenance and support services swear by reward clauses, which encourage vendors to go above and beyond to meet their contracted performance goals.

Robust post-roll out support
User support is critical in the days and weeks following go-live. During the period, employees must grapple with entirely new workflows in real time, a challenge even the best training programs struggle to address.

Maintenance and support vendors should be on-site to provide resources for workers acclimating to fresh ERP software, analysts for Deloitte argued. This key span can either lay the groundwork for sustainable success or sew the seeds of user attrition. Both manufacturing firms and their support partners should be interested in facilitating the former outcome.

Strong ongoing training options
ERP platforms and the internal processes they support should evolve in step with the organization. This constant change can take a toll on end users who lack access to change management tools in the form of training programs and other resources.

Manufacturers must address this issue during implementation by formulating a long-term solution roadmap and charting out future maintenance and support needs, according to TechTarget. This reduces the risk of productivity-sapping complications developing down the road.

Manufacturing firms that pinpoint maintenance and support packages with these features are likely to cultivate sustainable ERP workflows that bolster the bottom line for years to come.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP technology designed to support sustained operational productivity. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

How manufacturing ERP technology facilitates Industry 4.0 operations

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Businesses across the manufacturing sector are investing in Industry 4.0 technology – data-driven hardware and software designed to facilitate next-generation workflows that optimize efficiency and support maximum return on investment. The companies implementing these tools via formalized initiatives are collectively spending $900 billion per year on Industry 4.0 innovations alone, according to researchers for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

For those familiar with such technology, this immense level of investment makes sense, as the assets associated with this ever-expanding movement offer truly transformative potential. However, mechanical sensors and data analysis platforms cannot facilitate success in isolation. These items must be deployed in conjunction with key backend solutions, some of which have long been used on the shop floor.

Enterprise resource planning systems are among these complementary tools, Manufacturing and Business Technology reported. But how exactly does ERP software support the bleeding-edge production technologies associated with Industry 4.0 and the personnel tasked with using them?

An all-encompassing information cache
The cutting-edge processes centered on the latest manufacturing innovations are multi-tiered monstrosities involving numerous pieces of hardware and software, all working together to create countless data points that, when harnessed and analyzed, can yield transformative operational insights. Making sense of this information can be difficult without overarching computational structure.

ERP solutions provide this essential architecture, making it possible for employees at all levels to access information collected through sensors and systems of all kinds, according to IT Toolbox. Of course, these platforms do far more than assist manufacturers.

Horizontal integration allows firms, suppliers and customers to take advantage of the information flowing through ERPs, analysts for Deloitte found. In this setup, all parties maintain independent three-tiered operational stacks with programmed logic controllers at the base, manufacturing execution systems in the middle and ERP solutions at the top. Data flows from the bottom up before finally reaching the ERP, where all collaborators can easily access it and coordinate operations.

Without an ERP in place, operational information gathered via Industry 4.0 solutions is rendered almost inaccessible and likely non-actionable. On top of this, collaboration among production partners and customers fades or ceases to exist.

Even the most advanced manufacturing tools cannot overcome these barriers, the Industry 4.0 technologies included. However, ERP systems can mitigate these issues and allow businesses in the manufacturing space building the factories of the future to achieve their ambitious goals.

Navigating the system selection process
Not all ERP solutions are equipped to handle this demanding and important task. Manufacturers embracing Industry 4.0 must pinpoint ERP platforms whose features can support the latest tools and workflows, as well as the employees tasked with navigating them.

Here are some of those critical components:

  • An easy-to-navigate user interface: Personnel tasked with managing Industry 4.0-level data flows, an already overwhelming assignment, should be able to find their way around the ERP with ease. This not only ensures that data collected on the shop floor makes an impact on the bottom line but also reduces the likelihood of internal resistance, a common outcome in moments of significant operational upheaval.
  • Robust integration capabilities: As stated above, ERP systems deployed in environments with multiple advanced hardware and software assets are responsible for tying everything together, so to speak. Systems without strong and varied integration modules cannot perform this critical task.
  • Responsive support services: Vendor support is key for manufacturing firms rolling out ERP solutions in conjunction with advanced production technologies associated with Industry 4.0., as even the most skilled users can encounter difficulties when using such systems in this context. Software providers must be there to offer training and assistance that empowers workers and reduces the likelihood of workflow mishaps.

As the next generation of manufacturing technology takes hold, businesses in the space must search for the mission-critical software that facilitates adoption and lays the groundwork for sustained success. For many, this means embarking on an ERP search.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP technology designed to support operational change in the era of Industry 4.0. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

Strategies for avoiding an ERP user engagement disaster

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Implementing new manufacturing enterprise resource planning technology is stressful work. However, this process is just as taxing for everyday employees, most of whom must transform their workflows to comport with reformed data-based administrative and production methodologies.

Unfortunately, a significant number of manufacturing firms embarking on the ERP implementation journey do not account for this reality and end up putting into place difficult-to-navigate solutions that catalyze user resistance and, eventually, attrition. With total implementation costs at 3.6 percent of annual revenue, manufacturers simply cannot afford to risk either of these outcomes, according to Panorama Consulting Solutions.

Businesses in the space intending to avoid failure must develop and deploy user engagement strategies. Here are three such approaches in use today:

Support collaborative system development
Cross-functional implementation teams are certainly capable of designing effective ERP solutions without input from other internal parties. However, this is not the ideal plan of action.

Businesses should make an effort to develop user-friendly ERP systems that will receive the seal of approval from employees. This, of course, necessitates the adoption of collaborative product design strategies directly involving end users, CIO reported. Implementation groups should meet regularly with workers to gain insights they can use to inform design decisions and ultimately roll out software that addresses user pain points.

Create user communities
While formalized training programs can effectively prepare employees for ERP-centric processes, these initiatives are not as powerful when it comes to supporting users engaged in their daily activities. In this scenario, workers often lean on each other, with the technology-savvy among them becoming informal platform support specialists.

Manufacturers implementing ERP technology should support the development of ecosystems of self-reliance by facilitating user community creation, according to ERP Software Blog. These spaces allow employees to collaborate, solve problems and formulate best practices without direct intervention from the information technology department.

This not only increases user engagement but also lightens the loads of already overwhelmed technical specialists.

Communicate changing business processes
ERP solutions transform how manufacturing firms do business. From the back office to the shop floor, these systems usher in transformation, reforging operational workflows from the ground up.

The vast majority of implementation teams understand this reality. Everyday employees, on the other hand, may not. This is why organizations must communicate to workers how new ERP software demonstrably changes existing business processes, Panorama Consulting Solutions reported.

Such an effort serves two purposes: conveying the importance of user adoption and contextualizing implementation. With these two pieces of information in hand, employees are more likely to engage with the new technology.

Together, these strategies can help manufacturers develop and deploy sustainable ERP solutions that generate optimal return on investment.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP technology designed to support operational change and empower end users. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

Key manufacturing ERP training strategies adopters should know

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Enterprise resource planning solutions are only as effective as the professionals who use them. For this reason, it’s critical that manufacturing firms implementing these tools invest considerable resources in end-user training programs.

Of course, simply setting aside funds for these initiatives is not enough. Project teams must collaborate with human resources to ensure employer-provided ERP training resources are designed to truly empower workers, giving them the actionable insight and skills they need to navigate the software and facilitate optimal return on investment.

However, this is easier said than done. Modern workers have high instructional standards, according to research from LinkedIn. They need engaging resources that not only deliver critical information but also fit into their home and workplace routines.

With this in mind, manufacturing firms must take care when designing and deploying ERP training programs. Here are three training strategies businesses in this industry can employ to roll out resources that effectively prepare end users:

Embrace training from the beginning
Too many manufacturers only consider training toward the tail end of implementation or, worse, after their respective solutions have gone live. This is an entirely ineffective approach, according to Learning Solutions.

Instead, businesses should commit to user instruction from the outset, launching planning activities centered on employee training as they embark on solution design. This proactive methodology leads to the creation of engaging ERP training modules that empower workers and prevent the inevitable user attrition that unfolds when individuals are let loose within digital environments they do not completely understand.

Leverage multiple mediums
Many modern employees prefer to consume content via digital devices such as laptop computers and smartphones. As a result, an estimated 43 percent of workers now participate in online instructional activities at work, leveraging cutting-edge applications to sharpen their decision-making and technical skills, according to LinkedIn.

Having said that, classroom-based resources are still very popular. Roughly 56 percent of employees attend these sessions, researchers for the professional networking company found. While digital tools receive considerable buzz, it is clear that some workers still enjoy traditional instructor-led methods.

Manufacturing firms considering ERP training programs must take this state of affairs into account and create a variety of resources that work for learners of all kinds, from digital natives in the millennial generation to older employees who excel in the classroom.

Prioritize substance over all else
ERP implementation teams often immerse themselves in the solutions they develop and deploy, some for years at a time. While this intimate familiarity can make for effective software, it can also lead to the creation of ineffective training materials centered on platform navigation rather than holistic usage in the context of business operations.

Instructional programs focused on the former can teach end users how to move between screens and features but fail to show them how an ERP functions within larger production processes, CIO reported. This brand of transactional training leaves employees unable to optimize ERP solutions and make productivity breakthroughs that can catalyze transformation across an organization.

Enterprises in the manufacturing space should consider the difference between these training philosophies and ensure that the modules center on cultivating ERP-infused business processes, rather than teaching general platform awareness.

In the end, manufacturers that adopt these ERP training strategies can empower end users to get the most out of the tools given to them and therefore move the business forward.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms implement ERP technology designed to support operational change. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our products and services.

3 strategies for gaining buy-in from executive sponsors

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Enterprise resource planning implementation teams must address numerous variables throughout the adoption journey. However, few factors affect the final outcome of an ERP initiative as significantly as executive engagement.

Operations and information technology teams pushing for technological transformation must effectively court and convert business leaders to achieve optimal return on investment. Implementation groups that fail to do this often find themselves overseeing ERP adoption efforts that burn out before go-live or result in the purchase and installation of ineffective software and hardware.

Manufacturing ERP adoption groups can avoid these less-than-ideal outcomes by connecting with key members of the executive team and gaining their support. Here are three strategies for doing just that:

Work with influential shop floor supervisors
Operations managers and other supervisors dealing with day-to-day business processes best understand how production workflows function and where opportunities for improvement lie. Of course, these front-line professionals also manage the many mission-critical tools that propel the organization.

Because of this, executives often look to them for advice when making significant decisions that may affect the shop floor.

ERP implementation teams can use this state of affairs to their advantage by gaining the trust of these mid-level leaders and turning them into advocates for change, according to ERP Focus. With the support of these supervisors, ERP groups can more easily gain approval from above.

Build the business case
Implementation teams and those within ancillary departments such as operations and IT can easily digest system specifics and workflow minutiae to understand the impact of potential ERP solutions. This is not the case with business leaders, most of whom spend their days addressing large-scale company concerns.

ERP groups must keep this in mind and focus on the overarching business case for their respective solutions, according to CIO. These teams should work together to develop convincing planning documentation that demonstrates how ERP software can demonstrably improve the operation and bolster the bottom line.

Establish communications channels
Executive engagement should not end following project approval. ERP implementation teams must keep business leaders engaged throughout the lifespan of the project via actionable communication channels, according to IT Toolbox. Those in the C-suite can be invaluable in the event that additional resourcing is required or end-user-focused programs are falling short. However, most will only offer help when they are treated as partners in the ERP adoption journey.

With these strategies, manufacturing ERP implementation teams can cultivate executive buy-in and find success.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms and other businesses implement ERP technology designed to support operational change. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow businesses to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

ERP trends manufacturers should understand

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Manufacturing implemented almost 50 percent of all the enterprise resource planning solutions installed worldwide in 2017, according to research from Panorama Consulting Solutions. This figure is likely to increase over this year as producers of all sizes optimize their operations to meet modern marketplace demands. However, the organizations testing the ERP market in 2018 will most certainly navigate new terrain due to a number of novel software configuration and deployment trends.

Here are some of the developments shaping manufacturing ERP implementation:

The cloud decision
Businesses have not embraced cloud-based ERP platforms in the same manner they have latched onto other cloud technologies. Adoption has risen in recent years, though, and is expected to pick up pace over the forthcoming months, analysts for Panorama reported.

Why? A number of large vendors have released formalized cloud ERP offerings that are sure to entice latecomers that want innovative production software but are unsure of partnering with unfamiliar solutions providers. Microsoft is perhaps the most notable among the enterprise software giants testing the cloud ERP waters.

The Redwood, Oregon-based solutions provider released Dynamics 365 Business Central in April, ZDNet reported. The cloud offering is essentially an extensively reconfigured version of the Dynamics NAV platform. However, the product offers lots of new functionality centered on an integration component that allows the software to connect with Microsoft’s Cognitive Services, Flow, Power BI and Sales products.

An estimated 21 percent of the organizations that completed ERP projects in 2017 implemented cloud-based solutions, according to Panorama. With software such as Dynamics 365 Business Central on the market, this figure could shoot upwards as a significant number of enterprises, including those in the manufacturing space, may finally embrace cloud ERP systems.

Of course, there is also a chance that cloud ERP adoption may stall entirely, an outcome that would force technical specialists to rethink the long-term viability of the technology. Having said that, the data seems to suggest that cloud ERP solutions will finally find a foothold in the marketplace by the end of the year.

The mobile conundrum
Enterprises across numerous industries continue to implement mobile workflows centered on next-generation connected technology. The number of active Internet of Things devices associated with internal and external commercial deployments worldwide surpassed 3 billion in 2017, according to research from Gartner. That figure is likely to increase by more than a billion by the end of this year, as the global pool of enterprise IoT adopters grows.

While these tools have proven transformational for some firms, others have struggled to meld them with existing backend infrastructure – namely, ERP systems. Many available ERP platforms do not integrate well with enterprise IoT solutions, ZDNet reported.

This foundational technical tension has put forward-looking businesses in a tough place. However, some adopters are questioning whether this divide between IoT and ERP technology has any basis in reality, according to IT Toolbox. After all, manufacturing firms and other companies have been linking their shop floor assets to IT platforms for years. Why couldn’t they do the same with connected devices?

Producers looking into ERP software over the coming months will have to ask this question, as IoT solutions are quickly evolving from the nice-to-haves into must-haves. Luckily, most may find that they can indeed integrate ERP technology with IoT systems via incremental rollouts.

Companies that pursue this strategy often see immediate success with small IoT-ERP trials. These test implementations can form the basis for more comprehensive projects that bolster the bottom line and lay the groundwork for sustained success.

The end of legacy
A substantial number of innovative ERP solutions have come on the market in recent years. Simultaneously, legacy providers have bolstered their existing offerings to meet the needs of modern businesses. Despite these developments, many companies continue to maintain antiquated systems.

However, this is very likely to change over the coming months, as solutions providers discontinue support for older offerings and reroute those resources to new products, according to Panorama. This will essentially force businesses with legacy systems to implement new ERP technology. In fact, this situation has already begun to unfold to some extent. Almost 40 percent of the enterprises that completed ERP adoption efforts in 2017 did so in order to leave aging software behind, analysts for Panorama found.

Manufacturing firms with legacy solutions in place may find themselves dealing with similar situations as 2018 drags on. In these moments, upgrading to a new system is the only option. Producers that continue forward with legacy software risk losing support, which would inevitably lead to immediate productivity declines. Modern manufacturers simply cannot afford to suffer such losses.

Simply put, firms looking into ERP implementation must take into account this development and the others mentioned above when mapping out potential adoption activities.

Here at Accent Software, we help manufacturing firms and other businesses implement ERP technology designed to support operational change. As a certified Microsoft Business Solutions partner, Accent provides vendor-vetted Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation services, which allow organizations to put into place best-in-class ERP software designed to facilitate organizational growth.

Connect with us today to learn more about our offerings.