ERP Manufacturing

Manufacturing ERP Predictions for 2011

I don’t know if you feel like I do, but I’m quite happy to say adios to 2010.  The year 2010 was a tough one.  The economy attempted to recover making little gains.  The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) industry saw small vendors go under or get gobbled up by large ERP vendors.  The manufacturing industry as a whole took a hard hit in 2010.  However, 2011 is going to be a more promising year for Enterprise Resource Planning vendors who offer manufacturing solutions.  Manufacturing is always on the rise in good economic times.  As we recover from our recent recession, so will manufacturers.  It is likely that we’ll see manufacturers upgrading their Enterprise Resource Planning solutions.  It is also likely that we’ll see Manufacturing ERP solutions being bought by manufacturers.  We may witness more and more manufacturers opting for a SaaS (Software as a Service) manufacturing ERP.  SaaS Enterprise Resource Planning solutions are quicker to implement and more inexpensive when compared to onsite proprietary manufacturing ERP solutions.

Mobile Enterprise Resource Planning is expected to shoot through the roof in 2011.  Enterprise Resource Planning vendors are already working on mobile apps for manufacturing.  Not only are mobile ERP solutions in the works, but more globalized manufacturing ERP solutions are as well.  Manufacturing ERP solutions capable of interacting with Radio frequency identification (RFID) are becoming more and more coveted.  In fact, some manufacturers sell to companies that require RFID.  For example, all manufacturers selling to Walmart must use RFID.  Many manufacturers are resorting to third-party logistics (3PL) suppliers to save on shipping costs.  These 3PL suppliers enable manufacturers to save money due to high fuel costs.  Another trend that is expected to continue into 2011 and beyond is Green IT (information technology).  Green IT consists of carbon management software, which helps manufacturers reduce harmful byproducts created during the manufacturing process.  And, as I’m sure you’ve heard “reducing your carbon footprint makes the planet a better place”.  Green IT can be integrated with a manufacturing Enterprise Resource Planning solution. 

Well, those are my predictions for 2011.  There is no doubt that even more manufacturing ERP trends will develop during the year 2011.  It is certain that as we humans evolve so does our technology.  As technology evolves countries join hands, communication improves, education flourishes, and the world becomes one global economy.

Written by :

kristine H