A modern ERP system can significantly increase margins

Rationalization has already been pushed to its limits in manufacturing. Now it's time to streamline administrative processes and handle projects in an agile manner. Conventional MIS systems are not designed for this.

MIS and ERP, aren't they the same thing?

They are two completely different worlds. Management information systems often originated from older order- and calculation-heavy industry solutions. Accordingly, they are geared toward administration.

And ERP is more than just a new word for the same thing?

When it comes to enterprise resource planning, you still have to distinguish between traditional and modern solutions. Both cover the planning of all resources, i.e., personnel, materials and inventory, procurement, production facilities, logistics, and budgets. The broad scope of the subject matter alone shows that, unlike MIS, it is not primarily concerned with administration. ERPs are always holistic solutions. They cover analog and digital production as well as other business areas.

How do modern ERPs differ from traditional ones?

Modern ERPs also cover the basic requirement of comprehensive planning, but they do not work with fixed sizes, but with agile methods such as Scrum or Kanban. In addition, such solutions have greatly streamlined processes in administration and manufacturing.

Can costs still be saved in production?

In fact, production rationalization has already been exhausted in most companies, and smaller production advantages can only be realized at a disproportionately high cost. With modern ERP, the focus is therefore on streamlining administrative tasks and agile project management, where the employee is at the center.

Why is the focus on employees in the digital world?

Because employees, especially in digital production, are the most important value-adding component today. If you help them with intelligent software to automate processes using AI, they gain space for creative activities and for the increasingly important dialogue with customers.

How do companies benefit from this?

With modern ERP, they can streamline administrative tasks and project management—there is still a lot of room for improvement here. In times of thin margins, this enables real cost savings.

Can every company make the switch?

What is needed is a willingness to rethink processes, i.e., to change the mindset. If this is successful, modern ERP delivers a fast ROI.