Technology and software are developing at lightning speed. Now that we are in the last months of 2020, it is a good time to look ahead to 2021; what trends can we expect in 2021 that will have a strong impact on how ERP is developed, implemented, but especially how it is used by organizations and people?
1. In the cloud
More and more companies are opting for cloud ERP solutions. You always have the latest version of the software, you pay for what you need, it is easy to expand and it is easy to integrate with other applications. ERP in the cloud takes away a lot of worries. And many of the objections to cloud do not stand ground nowadays. The performance of cloud solutions is excellent, data security is also well organized (even better than on-premise) and it is not necessarily more expensive than on-premise. It is therefore expected that more companies will have their ERP solution in the cloud by 2021. Especially because enterprises such as Microsoft, SAP and Oracle focus heavily on the cloud.
2. More visual
We absorb visual information much easier and faster than text and numbers. And we also remember it much better. Where old ERP systems contain extensive menus with many fields, text and figures, this is gradually changing. Modern systems have clear, user-friendly menus with dashboards, icons, graphs and overviews. This is pleasant to use and proven effective when it comes to quickly finding information that enhances decision-making.
"There is a growing demand for niche solutions; ERP systems that are only intended for a specific industry."
3. Niche
Generic ERP systems do not meet the requirements and wishes of companies in 2021. There is a growing demand for niche solutions; ERP systems that are only intended for a specific industry. This niche ERP contains the specific features and functionalities required for companies operating in this niche market, which means these solutions offer much more than generic software. In addition, the vendor also has industry-specific knowledge, which means that they can provide excellent assistance when optimizing business processes and in realizing business ambitions, now and in the future. In 2021 we can also expect more and more hyper-niche ERP; here the industries are further narrowed down in order to be able to offer an even more specialized system.
4. More than ERP
The current state of information and communication technology makes it possible to integrate ERP perfectly with other systems and tools. Where ERP has traditionally been a stand-alone application, it is now becoming the most important software system of the organization, but connected with other software. For example with Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams. Or with systems for warehouse management, CRM, track & trace or transportation. In 2021, companies looking for a new ERP system will not only focus on the system itself, but also look at how the ERP system fits within the rest of the IT infrastructure.
