Upgrading ERP
When considering upgrading your ERP there are so many factors that are brushed under the carpet because of the initial daunting costs. So often people don’t take a step back to understand the bigger picture and how in the long-term it can positively affect the business. I am always interested in hearing about plans to upgrade and understand the determining factors into why companies choose to upgrade or to stick with what they currently have.
Upgrading IFS can be a double-edged sword. Organisations want to continue to improve technology, while on the other hand, they don’t want to continue to invest and have to change their operations to adapt to new standard features and functionalities. Organisations reasons for stopping upgrading can be that it isn’t as a great return on investment. However, leaving upgrades for a long period of time can mean that when it comes to upgrading it on a larger scale needing more resource, taking more time and furthermore can end up costing more.
Another factor overlooked is attracting top talent, when it comes to improving or restructuring your team one thing to be considered is what version of applications you are using. Take Football for example, two teams can offer the same salary, can be located in the same city, both have similar aspirations however one can offer Champions League Football. Players decisions are often based on the opportunity to play on the grandest stage of them all. Relating back to IFS the opportunity to work on Apps 10 for most candidates is more exciting than working on 7.5 for example.
Vendor support can also be a defining reason for an upgrade, as with all vendors there is only a certain amount of time, they will be able to provide support for old applications. Their time is better spent researching and developing new software. Whether you require support from the Vendor, the partner network or even independent contractor, the chances of them having consultants who are up to speed with old technology is rare. I was speaking to a client just the other week who has a very old ERP and they can be often waiting weeks for urgent support as the vendor has one or two consultants who can resolve these issues.
A modern ERP that is well maintained is a very powerful tool that can support business operations and often put you ahead of the competition. It is necessary when considering an upgrade to fully understand how it will positively impact your business. It can often be a bit of a battle when trying to determine whether or not to upgrade. However, taking the time to step back and evaluate your current system could go a long way. Always remember that ERP software was created to make a business run smoothly and effectively, so don’t feel you need to hold on to outdated programs because your staff are comfortable working with them. Make the jump, take the educated risk and reap the rewards of efficiency.