As many as 36 percent of industrial companies use outdated ERP software. That's according to a Skopos survey of financial managers in the industrial sector.

Of the 370 finance executives surveyed, 133 say that the ERP package used in their company is actually due for replacement. Although they are generally satisfied with the functionalities, the cause of dissatisfaction is often that the ERP package being used does not grow with the organization.

New information needs

"Companies are constantly evolving," says Ruud Haring, board member at Skopos Efficiency Builders, "unfortunately that does not always apply to the ERP package being used. Many companies innovate faster than their ERP package can keep up. When optimizing processes, new information needs arise."

Many companies are innovating faster than their ERP package can keep up.

An example is the increasing focus on after-sales service. If systems cannot grow with the business, these new information needs cannot be properly supported.

Sigh of relief

Dianne Wagtho of Logres recognizes the saying. "Our consultants often hear a sigh of relief when they come to give a demo of the latest version of SAP Business One. In it, really everything has been thought of. It's nice to purchase an ERP package that is ahead of your business situation, rather than behind."

The knowledge that SAP - the most widely used ERP system worldwide - is constantly being developed is also pleasant. Dianne Wagtho: "SAP is a system that does not stand still. Thousands of developers around the world are building add-ons compatible with SAP Business One every day. As a result, there is an application for every need. Apart from that, customization is also an option."

Cloud-ERP

Three-quarters of those surveyed say they do have a clear strategy for the software they want to use in the coming years. Three-quarters also say they are open to an ERP package in the cloud.

Herring: "We are all used to using social media, apps and different devices at home. That ensures that we also require enterprise software to be accessible and functional on the same level."

Dianne Wagtho: "Especially when it comes to an online cloud solution, speed is one of the factors that is going to count. Thanks to the SAP HANA database, SAP works anywhere, anytime as fast as you are used to at home from the apps and social media you use every day. That saves time, but perhaps even more annoyance."

Source: enterprise software white paper - Skopos Efficiency Builders

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