An enterprise resource planning (ERP) deployment often does not result in the expected return on investment.
So says Wilter du Toit, CEO of Virtual Mobile Technology, who notes that this is because although ERP systems are excellent at putting business processes in place and structuring data well, they are not that proficient at giving the right people access to the right information in a timely and appropriate way.
He believes mobilising the workforce both inside and outside the company's facilities is one of the key components that can drive an ERP strategy.
A 2011 report 'Mobility Enterprise Resource Planning' by the Aberdeen Group notes that the second most important business driver impacting ERP strategy is mobilising the workforce both inside and outside of a company's facilities (39%).
Mobilisation of the workforce is second to reducing operating costs (44%) and ties in closely with the third most significant driver - delays in decision-making from lack of timely information (33%).
Du Toit notes that well-integrated and effective mobilisation of ERP is very effective at preventing costly ERP implementations turning into massive white elephants.
Commenting on the Aberdeen Group report, Du Toit says companies that have taken full advantage of mobility in their ERP systems and business processes spend 90% less time looking for information; make decisions seven times faster; have 19% better inventory accuracy; and turn around services to invoices five times faster.
However, he notes that while the case for the mobilisation of ERP is clear, it is unsurprising that companies are unsure about the best way to mobilise ERP.
“The mobile environment is highly fragmented with a multitude of operating systems, devices and capabilities in the market, not to mention new technology just over the horizon.
“All this debate does is further muddy the waters for companies trying to decide on the least risky and least expensive way of mobilising their ERP implementation,” he explains.
Related story:
Is the next great information age just more ERP?- Gartner
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