Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 40 | Page 34

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

Why the channel should embrace cloud ERP

ERP offers numerous benefits , most of which come from information sharing and standardisation . Because ERP modules can share data more easily than disparate systems , they can make cross-departmental business processes easier to manage . Channel pundits look at ERP technology evolution and why solution providers should embrace cloud ERP . By Manda Banda .
Soumia Azeroual , Partner and Channel Sales Director , Middle East and South Asia , IFS

Enterprise resource planning ( ERP ), is software designed to manage and integrate the functions of core business processes like finance , HR , supply chain , CRM and inventory management in a single system . Widely used in businesses of all sizes , ERP is considered a must-have for large enterprises and is increasingly being deployed in growing small businesses too .

Mohamed Taha , Senior Director , Channels and Alliances , Middle East , Turkey , Africa , Infor , said business is booming and there is good customer attraction from businesses of all sizes . Taha said earlier , ERP implementations were considered a lengthy and complex process , but that perception is changing and this has helped raise demand from the SMB market .
Soumia Azeroual , Partner and Channel Sales Director , Middle East and South Asia , IFS , said ERP applications have been around for more than four decades and IT channel companies have been central to the reselling , implementing and supporting of businesses with ERP software that matches their needs .
Azeroual said the market while mature is still expected to grow further as more and more companies are investing in ERP solutions in order to optimise and automate their processes . “ This presents significant opportunities and also challenges for software vendors and their channel partners ,” she said .
Given that the cloud is an established model for sourcing and using mission-critical ERP , EAM and service applications , it is also an effective and powerful way to scale and leverage AI , analytics and Machine Learning . Azeroual said choosing to run in the cloud can make it easier for customers to handle the pace of change in the digital age . “ Running with a cloud service also
frees customers from finding , retaining and funding qualified IT personnel needed to operate applications ,” she said . “ While we see many customers sourcing solutions
The market while mature is still expected to grow further as more and more companies are investing in ERP solutions in order to optimise and automate their processes .
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