11 ERP Trends for 2024 and Beyond....

This last time, I have been questioning myself.? What is the future of SAP?. After reading many articles, I have been able to answer my question with 11 trends.

?In the past months we have seen a level of disruption that no one could have predicted: an pandemic, a war in Europe, climate disasters, inflation and in many countries, political chaos. We have been living in a "permacrisis" - a "prolonged period of instability and insecurity" so inescapable that in 2022, Collins Dictionary named "permacrisis" its word of the year. There is no return to normality. This is normal now, and tomorrow's normal will be different again.

?Here are the 11 trends that in my opinion define the future of ERP...

Trend 1: The future of the cloud doesn't stand still

?Cloud ERP adoption has exploded in recent years and shows no signs of slowing. The global market is expected to nearly double, happening from $64.7 billion in 2022 to $130 billion in 2027.

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Trend 2: Mobile ERP evolves to multi-device experiences

?Mobile ERP is nothing new: it has been around for decades. However, it is evolving from basic applications to intelligent multi-device experiences.

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Trend 3: Integration with AI and IoT

?No one goes out and buys "AI-powered ERP" - that's just technology marketing. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are much more subtle than that. They work behind the scenes to improve everything from strategic information and user experiences to automation and business processes.

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Trend 4: More powerful ERP analytics

?ERP IT systems have always collected data and provided basic reporting capabilities, but now they have evolved far beyond the "basics". AI-powered analytics, data visualisation tools - and even what-if analysis - have replaced the dashboards of days gone by.

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Trend 5: Hyper-automation

?During the pandemic, there was a surge in automation as companies tried to make everything as contact-free, secure and efficient as possible. Hyper-automation - where companies automate as many processes as they can using AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA) - is a new trend.

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Trend 6: Personalisation

?ERP solutions are becoming increasingly customised. Not to be confused with configuration, where basic things like language, currency and time zones are set, customisation is more about tailoring the software to a user's specific needs, making it work for them in the best possible way.

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Trend 7: Composable ERP

?With composable ERP, various "pieces" of the software suite are assembled as needed to address new opportunities, challenges and threats.

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Trend 8: Industry clouds are on the rise

?Industry clouds combine infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS) - which includes cloud ERP and other relevant vertical capabilities - into a cohesive, industry-focused solution. They are fully composable, offering the adaptability, functionality and innovation needed to address very specific industry requirements.?

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Trend 9: ERP drives more sustainable operations

?Governments are starting to demand more sustainable operations, customers are demanding them too, and it's only right. More than 80% of executives agree that companies need to do more to protect the environment.

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Trend 10: Two-tier ERP

?Two-tier ERP has been around for 40 years, but it is gaining in popularity, making it a trend. With two-tier ERP, companies use two different IT systems to meet their needs. A Tier 1 ERP with the functionality needed to run a large global enterprise is used at the corporate level. While subsidiaries and divisions run a more flexible Tier 2 ERP that supports their specialised needs - usually in the cloud.

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Trend 11: Collaborative ERP

?Today, most companies collaborate with ERP. For example, if someone is working on a purchase order and needs input from a colleague, they need to go out of ERP to Microsoft Teams, Slack or Zoom, and then back again. The same is true when an employee needs to get in contact with partners, suppliers or customers; they are forced to switch between different applications.

?Now, some ERP IT systems are starting to offer better collaboration. SAP and Microsoft, for example, have partnered, allowing users to share links to real-time ERP data directly in Teams. And in the future, it's not hard to imagine a Teams chat where relevant ERP data is automatically sent to the band in real time.