Companies are frequently preoccupied with increasing profits, as a result lose sight of what is involved in generating the gain. They underestimate the value of fully comprehensive enterprise resource planning systems and rarely consider upgrading the system with updated capabilities.

Companies typically purchase new ERP systems every 10-20 years and improve them every 3-5 years. Manufacturers are frequently held back by antiquated business models and technology. This prevents them from reaping the benefits of contemporary technology that the digital transformation is promoting. As current technologies become more available and inexpensive, you will be unable to benefit from them. Unless you have a modern infrastructure into which they can be integrated.

When and Why ERP systems should be upgraded

Lack of standard features necessary to stay up with client demand, the changing market landscape, or both – If you are still using a legacy ERP system, you may be missing out on some of the advanced features that modern ERPs now offer, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as seamless integration with third-party systems, cloud options, advanced analytics, AI, machine learning, IoT, and so on that your competitors may already be utilizing.

ERP upgrades can be determined by searching for ‘red flags’ or signals that indicate how well your ERP still functions and fulfills the goal for which it was created, as well as whether it is consuming your time and resources. You may have become accustomed to the way your ERP software operates over time, even if it has become slightly obsolete. However, you must use caution if it stops your organisation from reaching business objectives or satisfying client demands. Another scenario is when your company is growing geographically or into new service offerings. That is when you should consider an ERP upgrade, since it may significantly improve your efficiency.

7 Reasons to modernize your ERP system

Business Expansion

One of the most popular and compelling factors for deciding on an ERP update is business development. As your company grows, you should examine all of your software systems to ensure they can meet your future needs. Some growth indicators to watch for are:

• More Commercial Transactions
• New Goods or Services
• Market Developments
• New Business Opportunity

System of higher quality

Information technology is rapidly changing. The more advanced the system’s features, such as intuitive dashboards, detailed reports, and so on, the newer it is. When you upgrade your ERP system, you gain a more advanced set of functions. It enables improved analysis and overall corporate decision-making by enhancing accuracy and dependability.

Improved User Productivity

The most fundamental factors driving businesses to improve their ERP systems is the need to enable employees to accomplish more in less time. Less time spent on administrative tasks, faster insight into critical data, or just a more enjoyable job with the new software. All of this leads to happier and more productive staff, which drives your company’s success.

Mergers and Acquisitions 

Many changes occur as a result of mergers and acquisitions. If investor groups are evaluating your company, you may require an ERP upgrade to meet their wants and preferences. If you join with another company, modernize your ERP system to be ready to manage all that comes with it.
While assessing your business and operations for a new investor, you may need to modify your ERP system to meet their demands and preferences.  It is critical to verify that your operating system can manage all business operations both today and in the future.

Cloud upgrade

Modernizing your ERP system on the cloud is changing the way organizations operate today. Due to cost savings and increased operational efficiency, the number of firms using cloud-based ERP systems has increased significantly in recent years. If your present ERP solution is not cloud compatible, and even if you are not currently interested in cloud compatibility, it is something to check at when considering to modernize your ERP system. A better integration of ERP and other software’s might yield significant benefits. Consider integrating your system with a field service solution, a CRM software, a web portal, or the systems of your suppliers, customers, and partners. It will greatly simplify everyday activities.

Enhanced operational effectiveness

When an ERP suite is installed across a business, it means you have a unified platform for managing all processes and a single source of truth for reporting.

You require to modernize your ERP system since the most recent systems have more sophisticated capabilities for gaining a deeper analytical insight into your business operations. This would provide you a critical look at your company processes, assisting you in identifying problem areas and implementing modifications to improve their efficiency.

Affordability

Over time, when you modernize your ERP system, it will save your money. When you replace obsolete technology that no longer provides the necessary output with new technology, your company processes improve and your productivity rises.

Modernize your ERP system and it would allow you to enter information once and save it in a centralised database, making it available to all departments in real-time instead of manually entering data. It also allows you to automate redundant processes, allowing you to invest in the workforce for higher-priority jobs.

Conclusion

Regardless of the cost, modernizing your ERP system may be a useful asset that assures you save a significant amount of money in the medium to long run. Once you’ve determined that your ERP system requires an upgrade, the next step is to determine how to proceed.

You may benefit from a version upgrade at times. However, modernizing your ERP system via version upgrade is not always the best option. Depending on how old your ERP version is and how your business requirements have changed since the ERP was deployed, you may be better off considering other choices such as ERP re-implementation or switching to a different provider entirely. Contact your nearest provider today to know more about your system requirements for your business to modernize your ERP system.