In the digital age, the pace of innovation is faster than ever. Software or processes that were cutting-edge five years ago may have long since become irrelevant, replaced by newer and faster technology. This is wonderful in many ways, as new technology allows us to operate more quickly, reach more people, and solve problems more efficiently.
There’s just one problem: No agency can afford to replace the entire IT department every two years. At best, you can replace parts of the department each year, sometimes a new system, sometimes some new hardware—but rarely something as major as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. There will come a point, however, where a more fundamental overhaul will have to take place, or you risk costing your organization a significant amount of money in the long run.
Here are a few ways your outdated ERP software could be costing you money:
Impeding Efficiency
Your ERP is a management tool that handles nearly every aspect of your agency or business, from inventory to accounting to client relations. As such, if this element of your operation is struggling, every other aspect of your organization will suffer as well. You could lose thousands of dollars in time and resources that could be better spend elsewhere as you and your staff deal with a system that isn’t equipped to handle what you’re asking of it.
Hiding Information
One big marker of a system that needs to be replaced is one that makes information impossible to find. If you’re struggling to access the records of new or old clients or are unable to find information when you need it, again, that’s time wasted that could be better spent elsewhere. And no matter what type of operation you’re managing, time is money.
Increasing Risk For Cyberattack
Here’s one you may not have considered: an older system is actually more vulnerable to cyberattacks than a newer system. Since protecting your data is a major concern, it’s essential to update your processes regularly to keep them safe from external threats. The cost of a data breach can be catastrophic, so preemptively updating your ERP and any other major operating systems can save you a lot of cash in the long run.
System Failures
Why wait until your system fails to replace it? If you wait until failure, when one update pushes your old system over the edge and it no longer functions, you’re playing with fire. By waiting, you risk long hours of lost production, stalled production, potential data loss, and the cost of a rush replacement. That’s a lot of dollars on the line. Don’t risk it—replace your old ERP long before you think it might be the root of a fundamental system failure.
Technology modernization is a huge priority for organizations nationwide right now, and it may seem like the race to keep up with the latest innovations never ends. Don’t give up! When you upgrade your ERP, you give your organization room to grow and evolve at the same pace as the rest of the world, instead of staying stuck behind a management system that no longer functions the way you need it to. And, if you’re worried that you’ll have to change systems against in the near future, we have good news: The newer ERP systems are specially designed to be customizable to your needs for years to come.
Ready to take the next step with your management systems? ISF is prepared to assist your organization with your unique needs. Contact us today to discover how we can solve the future together.