This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Special technology report ERP


Richard Turner, ERP solutions director


that entire business processes can be undertaken in real- time using such technology. This is not only relevant to logistics/delivery companies, but equally applies to companies with service engineers, travelling sales staff or remote workers.”


In terms of some of the key drivers for changes, Orme reflects that systems and solutions that have been designed and built from the ground up to take advantage of ‘Internet technologies’ have enabled this explosion of mobile working. “The demands made on modern business solutions simply weren’t possible or even conceivable when older systems were developed,” he said., adding: “Whilst it is sometimes possible to extend the life of older technology to work for a while longer, there comes a point where there is a business need for a modern system to take advantage of what is now possible and expected. It is those ERP vendors that have continually invested in R&D, and are continually developing their product, that drive forward the marketplace and allow companies that replace legacy systems to take advantage of the latest technologies.”


According to Phil Burgess, RVP, base ERP sales at Infor, Mobility is a key area of development. “People expect this capability these days due our familiarity with a range of mobile devices and the ubiquity of wi-fi and broadband,” he said. “Simply put, the expectation is that it should be as easy to access any enterprise app as easily as anything at home, on the move.” Another development, says Burgess, is to be found in the area of reporting – KPIs, balanced


“ 12


scorecard, BI etc. “Reporting still rules a lot of reasoning,” he remarked. “You must be able to make informed decisions based on the intelligence in the business. This is now ‘uber- critical’ as every decision (especially in the current finance climate) must be rock solid. The better your handle on information (especially cash flow and projections), the better access to funds you’ll be likely to have.” In terms of drivers for these changes, Burgess comments that user expectations have really shifted the ground on which enterprise apps such as ERP stand. For example, he points out that search has meant that businesses now demand the data they need not just access to the data. “Indeed, many now want the system to deliver the information to them instead of them having to look for it,” he said. “These expectations will only increase.”


“ Globalisation is pushing organisations towards centralisation and


standardisation, resulting in simplification in order to compete and react swiftly to changes in business, markets and regulatory and security needs or to locate goods and services in lower cost markets.”


– Richard Turner, CSC.


Andy Latham, managing director K3 Business Technology Group, concurs with Burgess on the mobility front. “With the increasing use and availability of mobile phones, ipads and iphones, users are expecting to have company information at their fingertips when out and about with customers and suppliers alike,” said Lathan. He also reflected that handheld factory devices are now popular for increased real-time transaction processing for capturing crucial business information. “The days of a factory being a shift behind with their data are long gone,” he remarked.


Bridging disparate systems


And with regard to dashboarding, KPIs and


More and more companies now demand browser-based ERP solutions from their system providers. These businesses are looking to continually increase productivity by allowing users remote connectivity to their operations, and this requires data to be available at all times to all users, anywhere.” – Jonathan Orme, Exel Computer Systems.


MANUFACTURING &LOGISTICS


IT March 2011


graphical representation of data, this, believes Latham, is seen as a bridge between disparate systems and standardising business rules into graphical reporting – in other words, a single version of the truth. “Decision making needs to be quicker than ever in the current climate,” he said, “and you need to have your data in a good readable format.” Also, Latham comments that making good use of a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) means an organisation knows more about its customers and supply chain and can make cost savings with meaningful


campaigns in selling to customers and prospects. Likewise, warehouse management systems are coming to the forefront as manufacturing is becoming more distribution


Jonathan Orme, sales operations manager


www.logisticsit.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56