Just as companies must transform to meet today’s challenges, the software vendors they rely on must also mutate their products to become a better fit for the next generation of organizations. And that’s happening with ERP. From my perspective, here are the seven ways ERP is evolving, along with my tips for selecting an ERP vendor.

The role of the CFO has changed dramatically over recent times and will continue to do so. The modern CFO is now emerging as a key enabler in creating a more ‘dynamic’ finance function that can react to ever changing demands from both internal stakeholders and external customer, suppliers and partners. In addition to the traditional responsibility of ‘managing the finances’ of the organisation, the CFO is now increasingly engaged with activities such as strategy formulation and business transformation projects. 

Business transformation projects are increasingly being undertaken to facilitate growth, reduce costs and increase competitiveness in a harsh global marketplace where only the organisations who continually evolve and innovate prosper. The finance function is not immune to this transformation process and can play a key role in its development and adoption.

Chief Financial Officers need to play a leading role to ensure data security within an organisation. Potential threats are proliferating and the financial impact of a breach of data security can be substantial. Consider how your turnover and profitability would be impacted due to a data security breach which could potentially hold your organisation to ransom or prevent users from performing their day to day activities.

The Internet of Things will allow manufacturers to provide B2B customers with a controlled level of involvement in manufacturing oriented business processes. This benefits both parties because both have the same objectives. 

To date, more than 400 global manufacturing leaders have responded to the LNS Research Manufacturing Operations Management survey, which focuses on identifying the top objectives, challenges, and trends across manufacturing verticals.