Data Integrity is the New ERP Mandate
Data integrity has quietly become the make-or-break factor for ERP (enterprise resource planning) success. In his ERP Today article, senior editor Chris Vavra explains why reliable, governed data is now central to delivering on ERP’s promises—from automation and AI to real-time reporting and predictive operations.
As organizations expand their data estates, move to the cloud, and pursue AI-driven insights, unreliable data undermines everything from automation to cross-functional reporting. Vavra emphasizes that ERP transformation works best when the underlying data foundation is coherent, accessible, and governed—without relying on expensive ERP rip-and-replace projects. The challenge is especially clear in manufacturing. Despite decades of ERP investment, many shop floors still depend on paper-based processes and siloed systems. This creates the “Hidden Factory,” where manual work, errors, and delays erode profitability. Without real-time, trustworthy metrics like OEE or downtime analysis, teams end up reacting to problems instead of addressing root causes. Vavra highlights how some organizations are solving this by unifying data across systems using semantic layers and virtualization. One steel manufacturer gained real-time reporting, consistent financials, and executive-level visibility—while avoiding months-long integrations and core ERP changes. Cultural alignment and shared ownership of data were just as critical as the technology itself. The article also points to ERP decommissioning as a key integrity strategy. By archiving historical data from legacy systems into modern, managed platforms, organizations can improve governance, reduce costs, and meet compliance requirements.
The takeaway for ERP leaders is clear: data integrity drives efficiency, trust, and ROI—and achieving it requires both disciplined governance and organizational buy-in.
