Running a legacy system with insufficient functionality can be a dangerous practice. In today's ultra competitive marketplace, if one organization's software solutions lack functions that are standard within its industry, the company could be at a significant disadvantage. That's why it's important to always keep up on the latest trends regarding business management software.

Pete Zimmerman, a manufacturing manager, recently sat down with Manufacturing Business Technology Magazine to discuss his typical thought process when evaluating ERP systems and other manufacturing software solutions. He talked about the latest trends he has seen in his industry, and how they relate to new software needs.

"Government regulations are currently a driving force in determining the need for new feature and function or replacement of the software in areas such as lot tracking," he said. "Cloud Computing is another big trend as companies evaluate whether they should remain on-premise, put their software and hardware in the cloud or perhaps invest in a hybrid solution. We also see big trends towards Business Intelligence. An Analytics solution can create powerful dashboards and reports that companies can use to identify anomalies that can turn into significant business issues."

If the industry is moving in this direction and these needs will soon be fulfilled with standard applications, it's vital for business decision makers to understand this and react accordingly. Of course, having the funds to purchase new applications or make full system upgrades isn't necessarily a reality. That's why it's important to work with a business systems provider that can work with you, evaluate your environment, determine your needs and help you find the best possible solutions for your dollar.