INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
How ERP brings tang manufacturing and d ERP has been shown to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and time to value, but there are still businesses that remain hesitant in making the investment. Jaco Maritz, chief operating officer at SYSPRO explores how ERP brings tangible return-on-investment to the manufacturing and distribution CEO.
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s the world continues to shift, manufacturers and distributors have had to contend with new complexities of doing business. Driven by emerging customer preferences and immediate supplier needs, the industry has had to adapt quickly in order to thrive.
‘The 2020 SYSPRO research study showed that 37% of companies were unable to provide the remote work capabilities to employees that were required’ 12
Customers have become increasingly drawn to eCommerce platforms as global lockdowns opened up the opportunity for new digital channels. And while supply chain disruptions impacted business operations, it also opened up the door for a new competitive market underpinned by the expansion of product ranges, and the rise of techniques such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies. As a result, CEOs have had to think about new routes to market, new products and even new processes altogether. Within this zeitgeist, manufacturing and distribution leaders still have three crucial business priorities top of mind. The business has to cut costs while remaining globally competitive, organisational efficiency needs to be improved, and ongoing risks need to be reduced.
INDUSTRIAL BUYER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Many businesses have looked at the benefits of digitalisation in addressing these priorities. ERP in particular has been shown to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and time to value, but there ae still businesses that remain hesitant in making the investment. The key is to understand what sort of ROI ERP brings to the business.
USING ERP TO GAIN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE According to 2020 SYSPRO research, 29% of businesses felt their business systems did not provide them with the availability and accessibility to manage the changes that the pandemic introduced. Many businesses still relied heavily on manual processes and spreadsheets. Those who had real time access to data could connect directly with customers and suppliers and address immediate needs
