If the current pandemic taught businesses anything it was to rediscover the need to be agile and resilient. Learning to adapt to changes and having a plan are what weeded out the strong businesses from the unprepared. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) has become the key solution for agility, adaptability, and resiliency. As technology is evolving so should we with our business processes to keep up with the current climate. One such industry – manufacturing – was hit hard at the start of the pandemic. But, like any other business, manufacturers were forced to adapt and change. ERP plays a pivotal part for manufacturers in withstanding today’s challenges and continues to evolve in this sector. Matt Heerey, President of the Manufacturing Division at ECI Software Solutions, shares an article on inboundlogistics.com showcasing how ERP continuously changes to keep up with manufacturers’ evolving needs.
Supporting Smarter, Better-Informed Decisions. “There are two technologies leading the monumental shift in the growth of ERP: artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies are providing the boost ERP needs to get smarter every year. As a result, businesses can use ERP systems to generate powerful actionable insights to increase equipment effectiveness, decrease downtime, and improve processes.”
Persevering Through Difficult Times. “Without a one-size-fits-all cloud solution that encompasses businesses of every shape and size, some enterprises remain on the sidelines of cloud adoption. Many have welcomed the cloud, with Gartner predicting that more than 85% of organizations will embrace cloud-first principles by 2025. This is an important transition – cloud-based applications are critical in giving businesses the level of resilience and flexibility they need to persevere through difficult times. Today’s cloud-based ERP systems are built to absolve these concerns, providing a modular approach that allows businesses to select and deploy the applications (modules) they specifically require. With unique capabilities and cybersecurity incorporated into each, enterprises can comfortably use the cloud without worry.”
Providing the Highest Levels of Efficiency and Agility. “With ongoing disruptions, the need for integration between supply chain management (SCM) and ERP systems has never been greater. This empowers manufacturers and distributors with the highest levels of efficiency and agility, resulting in fewer redundant tasks and increased visibility into all facets of data. Visibility is also important for the supply chain. AI can greatly help in this regard, increasing a manufacturer’s flexibility in sourcing additional vendors to counter or reduce a disruptive event. With the right tools, businesses can quickly strategize to better handle the worst-possible scenarios – or avoid them entirely.”
Preparing For Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond. “Businesses have been faced with a growing number of challenges, and if they don’t tackle them head on, they may find it difficult to compete. This is hardly the optimal path forward for manufacturers, which are tasked with providing the products consumers need and want in a timely manner. Those expectations may seem extreme given the environment in which manufacturers are working, particularly one with countless supply chain issues. But with ERP systems providing the innovative solutions to their problems – all while embracing AI, ML, cloud technology, and more – businesses can better prepare for whatever comes next.”
