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But this zest for action usually only lasts until the end of the ERP implementation. After the go-live, the enthusiasm quickly subsides. Many companies expect the ERP solution to run quietly in the background from now on. With the assumption that care and maintenance is also done on its own.
Do not give away valuable potential with this setting, but use an always up-to-date ERP system and the associated advantages for your company. Here’s how:
- Keep up with technological advances
ERP providers are constantly developing their software, eliminating errors and adding new features. This means that an ERP system is continuously improving. Every minor release brings with it optimizations that increasingly support business processes.
In addition, most ERP providers regularly publish a major release version update, which expands the area of application with new functions. This is an important point as the market environment of every company is constantly evolving. This further development is often expressed in new or changed customer requirements. The ERP system has to keep pace with this development if it is to continue to generate added value.
In addition, major releases usually also contain improvements to the user interface. This increases the usability of the system and makes the work of the end user easier.
- You are better prepared for unplanned events
No company exists in a vacuum. Events can always occur that force decision-makers to act at short notice. This includes, for example, legal, political, technical or social factors.
Companies that have neglected their ERP system for a long time are faced with a problem in the event of an unplanned event. Your ERP solution is often not up to the new requirements and the latest software version is missing for a necessary patch
As a result, IT has to install several updates in a short time, check technical adjustments and test accordingly. Of course, this requires free capacities for such an ad-hoc IT project.
Example of legal factors: The GDPR surprised many companies in May 2018 (despite the transition period). According to the regulation, a data subject has the right to request the complete deletion of their personal data. If the database is not properly maintained, the organization will find it difficult to comply with such a request.
If you always keep your ERP system up-to-date, you distribute the maintenance effort over time. This avoids further ad-hoc actions and no longer has to react to unplanned events with high resources.
- Your ERP solution remains compatible with complementary IT systems
An ERP system is almost always part of a network of different software solutions. Most companies have additional IT systems connected to their ERP via an interface.
All of these systems also have patches, updates and version changes. If the ERP system lags behind, this can lead to compatibility problems – especially if there are changes to the databases or the operating system. For example, the connection of a third-party system could no longer work because this requires a certain standard that was only added in a new ERP version.
For this reason, ERP updates often include interface adjustments so that compatibility with third-party systems is maintained.
