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Top 10ERP Initiativeswww.salesquest.comSalesQuest
ERP InitiativesIntegrated Enterprise Resource Planning systems have become
increasingly key to IT functionality at businesses over the last several
years. Here are ten of the most common trends in the area for
2011.
1. ROI Analysis
Financial belt-tightening continues at many companies, and ERP installations and upgrades are falling victim to that as executives demand and get more in-depth studies before approving implementation projects.
2. Managing Risk
Installing or upgrading any large database software is an expensive and often disruptive step for any business. Executives facing an implementation are increasingly turning to outside experts to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
3. Delaying Implementation
Many companies, not convinced these projects can be implemented safely and on time, are opting to put the installation off for months or even years.
4. Breaking Up Projects
Even companies that move ahead on ERP systems may opt to act in budget-friendly stages, rather than making sweeping changes all at once.
5. Focusing on Areas Key to the Business When an enterprise resource planning
project is broken up or delayed, it’s often implemented first in areas key to the specific business. One company may opt to roll out all financial functionality first, while another may begin with customer support.
6. Accepting Packaged Systems Enterprise systems provide out-
of-the-box functionality for such areas as account management and other financial uses. If that isn’t a key competitive area for a company, the company can streamline implementation by using the software as installed.
7. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is everywhere these days, including in these projects. The most common approach for a cloud enterprise resource planning system is a public cloud, in which a single vendor owns and supports the cloud space used by the organization.
8. Software as a Service (SaaS)
In this cloud variant, an organization’s data is stored centrally and accessed through the Internet, often over a web browser. This technology is still fairly new, but projections show 2011 revenues 20 percent over 2010 figures.
9. Digital Certificate Security In Internet-accessed cloud and SaaS ERP
systems, a key concern is protecting the data from unauthorized access. Digital certificates at sign-on are increasingly being used for this purpose.
10. Integrating More Functions Enterprise systems have made strides
from the back office to customer support functionality; now they're moving into e-commerce, sales and CRM.
