In 1999, when you probably last upgraded your ERP system, you were using a red stapler and were just trying to make sure that you were Y2K compliant. Y2K forced many into the position of having to upgrade their ERP systems. It was period of time that was full of questions and ERP vendors were installing a record number of systems, all because of the Y2K compliance requirements.

Do you remember the programmers in the movie Office Space?  This group of disgruntled programmers lead lives of quiet desperation, updating code for the Y2K changeover, while they bantered about loathing their jobs.  If you were a programmer or had any involvement with making sure that your company was Y2K compliant in 1999, then chances are the memories of late nights and bad work days could just about put you sitting in a corner rocking back and forth caressing your red stapler.  So, no wonder the thought of even having to embark upon another ERP implementation is quickly dismissed.

Here’s some more food for thought:

1. During 1999 and the early 2000s, we were all using flip phones and candy bar phones. Smart phones were not even a consideration at that point.
2. Nobody had a tablet of any kind.
3. Not even an ATM machine was a touch screen at that point.
4. Napster was founded in 1999, but there weren’t any portable MP3 devices. The best you could hope for was to play the file on your computer.
5. There was no HD TV, no flat screens, and basic dvds had the most amazing clarity.

With the huge technological advances that have occurred over the last 10-15 years, it is impossible to believe that you could be functioning at an optimum level if you are still operating on a Y2K system (that hasn’t been updated).  While the technology has increased and we experience the benefit of it on a personal level everyday, why aren’t we leveraging it more often in business?

The businesses that are utilizing and leveraging the latest technologies are much more capable of meeting customer demand and making quality real time decisions. These organizations are communicating faster, and running leaner. They are using mobile technology and Cloud based technology in order to communicate and make decisions.  Their ERP software is giving them a level of insight and visibility into operations that they didn’t have 10-15 years ago.

Additional visibility into the manufacturing process not only provides the ability to pinpoint and correct problems faster, it provides the ability to make changes within the process that limits disruption and increases efficiency.

ERP software gives you the ability to really check your company’s pulse.  It’s time to make sure you are using the latest technology on your terms instead of waiting for another Y2K type incident to force your hand.

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