Don’t Let Legacy Systems Slow Your Business!
“ERP software upgrade? Ugh, no!” is likely what you thought when you read this headline. And if that is the first thing you thought, you’re definitely not alone. However, as annoying as upgrades might seem, they’re necessary to the success of your software!
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, like almost all technology, has a limited life span. If you refuse to upgrade your software for too long, you’re guaranteed to begin experiencing slower system performance and bugs. And as you continue to utilize older functions, your competition will take advantage of newer versions, causing your business to fall behind. It would be awesome if the software project was a one-and-done deal, but regular updates and upgrades are necessary to fix errors and improve performance.
That being said, your business doesn’t need to take advantage of every possible upgrade. That’s why we outlined below 4 signs it’s time to upgrade your ERP software!
1. Poor Integration
Creating a connected enterprise through robust system integration is the key to thriving in the manufacturing and distribution industries. Your ERP should be able to seamlessly connect to your CRM and eCommerce software solutions to offer functionality that streamlines processes and provides visibility.
Depending on an ERP solution that isn’t integration-friendly makes it difficult to create a connected enterprise, leading to data silos, errors, and customer and employee dissatisfaction.
If you’re experiencing poor integration, you may want to investigate an ERP upgrade that will allow you to connect your systems into a single source of truth.
2. Lack of Mobility
Even when your business is based in an office, your employees may frequently find themselves working elsewhere. Today especially, employees are consistently working from home and off-site. Your ERP system should support your business on your employees’ mobile devices from any location.
Mobile technology can make a huge difference in your ERP effectiveness. By allowing your team members to work on the go, you can increase productivity from anywhere!
3. Unsupported Software
Software vendors will only support outdated versions of their software for so long. Staying on unsupported software is a huge red flag and is extremely risky. Even though your ERP isn’t supported, it may still work well enough for you and your employees to use, so you likely believe you’re saving money by using legacy software instead of upgrading.
However, if your system stops working, suddenly, or you receive an error message, you won’t have anyone to help fix the issue, consequently resulting in serious, damaging downtime. Downtime can be exceptionally detrimental to a business. More than 90% of enterprises that experienced 10 or more days of downtime went out of business by the end of the year.
4. Employee Dissatisfaction
If your employees are complaining that your software makes it harder to complete work and is difficult to use, it’s probably time to consider upgrading your ERP system. Your software should be functional and make processes easier for your team–not harder.
If processes are made more difficult for your employees, they may start working outside the software which can result in errors, making reporting and visibility extremely challenging. Thus, the value of your software will diminish, and you’ll fail to see the ROI you want.
Wrap Up
We know that upgrades can be a headache and a hassle, but it’s absolutely worth it! To improve productivity and continue seeing ROI, keeping your software up to date is essential. Plus, if you need help with your upgrades, Datix is here for you!
As an Epicor® expert and an Infor partner, we are well versed in ERP software and upgrades. We will take the time to get to know your business process, so we can provide you with the best solution. Further, we pride ourselves on creating a strategic partnership with our clients, so we will always be forthcoming about when it’s not appropriate to upgrade your ERP system (bugs, lack of significant improvements, etc.). Not to mention, we are dedicated to providing you with comprehensive support from the birth of your upgrade to after your go-live date!
To learn more about whether it’s time to update your software, contact Datix today!
