In most cases, the goal of enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform deployment is to replace legacy systems for doing business. "Legacy systems" is a term used to describe processes that served a purpose at one time, but have become clunky and hard to get away from as technology evolves. Think of offline spreadsheets, paper forms, scanning devices and other tools your company uses to complete critical tasks like payroll, inventory and more. 

It's important to remember that at one time, your legacy systems were cutting edge. Similarly, an ERP solution can devolve into a legacy system if it's not designed to keep up with the changing and evolving standards. That's why it's important to work with a provider who can ensure that your ERP platform doesn't turn into a legacy application in a couple of years. According to research firm Gartner, many ERP systems currently deployed at enterprises will be rendered obsolete by 2016. 

"The need for agility and responsiveness has led highly customized ERP implementations to an impasse, creating a subset of legacy ERP installations that must be dealt with constructively," said Andy Kyte, vice president and Gartner Fellow. "Early ERP adopters, particularly large enterprises in energy, manufacturing and distribution industries, are paying the penalty of a decade or more of excessive customization."

Not all enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are created equal. At Accent, the Microsoft Dynamics NAV system we deploy for our partners is routinely updated and innovated so that clients aren't left in the dust as new technologies emerge. It's also expandable to meet present and future business needs. Contact us today to learn more about how to implement an ERP system that's built to last.