Keeping up with digital transformation: Is your ERP software holding you back?
Digital transformation should not be a scary term. It is also not something that should sit with the IT department at your company. We are all involved in the digital revolution. Put into context, by 2020, forecasts suggest that there will be around 6.58 network connected devices per person around the globe (Source: Statista). You probably won’t even realise how much you connect to the cloud in your home, see some examples below:
Do you know what I mean now? It’s not that we are ignorant in any way. You often hear something along the lines of, “oh no, that is too technical for me”, but, is it is really? Digital transformation at home or in the workplace does not need to have a primary focus on implementing new IT solutions. Instead, transforming your business requires an acceptance and acknowledgement of cultural change. Failure to invest time and money into innovations and upgrades will inevitably hold back the growth of your company.
“Digital transformation refers to the adoption of digital processes and tools to achieve strategic business goals. It’s a complex, multifaceted process that represents a massive cultural shift in the workplace and changes that affect every part of an organisation.”
Some scenarios may ring a bell with you. If you can relate to any of the below, then we would suggest evaluating your digital transformation strategy. Furthermore, deciding to upgrade or implement an ERP solution.
To be the front runner or at least stay on par with your competition, you should have an edge. Reacting to changes in market conditions is an essential function of modern day businesses. You want to act upon a vital piece of information that has come to your attention. First, you need to gather the data, then analyse and report on the data collected. Now you need to get it past the board before being able to do anything else. All the while the ship has sailed, the opportunity was missed.
We argue that a driver of digital transformation is ERP. You need to invest in software that is capable of giving you an up to date, real-time view of your company’s operations. The information should tell you what is working and what is not. It is essential to have almost-instant access to information such as this to aid critical decision making and problem-solving competencies. Don’t miss the boat!
Whether you choose an on-premise or cloud-based ERP solution will be dependent on your company and the factors associated with each. Cloud-based options usually have a lower upfront cost. However, the success of a deployment relies on both the capability of the data centre’s offering and your availability to a suitably fast and consistent internet connection. On the other hand, on-premise solutions are arguably more secure because the hardware is installed locally and can be more closely monitored. There are many other comparisons between the two which you will consider when drawing up your requirements.
Business transformation will only pay off with the right tools to do the job. We understand that business is continually changing and it can be hard to keep up.
