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The most important ERP-Trends 2025:
what to expect.
New year, new developments: Our article summarizes the most important ERP trends for 2025 and prepares you for them in the best possible way.
6. December 2024
The most important ERP trends for 2025: what to expect.
If we take a look at the past twelve months, it quickly becomes clear that the world of technology is moving at breakneck speed. The best example is artificial intelligence, which was still excitingly new at the beginning of the year and has now gained a foothold. 2025 also promises to be a year full of rapid developments: In addition to the new perennial favorite AI, cloud solutions, the use of real-time data and sustainable systems will play a major role. Companies that embrace this can simplify processes and free up time. In order to prepare for the changes in the coming year and derive the greatest possible benefit from them, you should definitely keep an eye on the following software and ERP trends for 2025.
Flexible, secure and future-oriented working: Cloud solutions are the new standard
They have been conquering the market for several years and now dominate the software world: cloud solutions. Most companies are already using a cloud ERP or are in the middle of introducing one. Those who have not yet done so will increasingly feel the need to catch up. After all, the cloud is no longer a trend, it is standard - and the advantages are convincing: cloud solutions are flexibly scalable, and you can increase or reduce the number of users as required.
In order to fully meet strict security requirements, cloud providers such as Microsoft also invest large sums in IT security every year and fulfill compliance and security requirements.Automatic back-ups reliably secure data and regular updates keep the solution up-to-date at all times. All of this relieves the burden on in-house IT ā an important factor, especially in times of skills shortages.
Entry-level solutions that enable companies with few resources to benefit from the advantages of the ERP world are quite new. Ready-made packages are particularly practical. This is because a defined scope of functions and services ensures that the ERP is standardized and can therefore be used very quickly. As it can be flexibly expanded, it supports companies in the development and growth process over the long term. A good ERP package has the potential to cover the processes of today's small businesses digitally for many years to come.
Of course, the offerings on the ERP market will continue to change and adapt to new circumstances in 2025. The cloud will remain the basis and present companies from the process industry with a new challenge: Computer system validation in the public cloud.
Validating computer systems in the public cloud is becoming standard thanks to a suitable approach.
Computer system validation has always been a challenge, especially for companies in the process industry. Since solutions have been operated as Software as a Service (SaaS), the hurdle has grown even more. The path to successfully and securely validating cloud solutions has long since been taken: a suitable approach enables computer system validation in the public cloud. By means of a comprehensive cloud strategy, companies first establish the project and choose an experienced validation expert as an accompanying consultant in order to successfully meet the requirements of EU GMP Annex 11 in the long term. Combined with a suitable system that complies with regulations and specifications, comprehensive documentation and well thought-out, smooth update management for secure, validation-compliant updates, software solutions are validated efficiently and securely in the public cloud. 2025 is taking the next step towards the SaaS world and thus also increasing the need to validate in the public cloud.
Integrated software solutions make work easier, save time and create an overview
Speed, suitability for everyday use and efficiency: there is a great desire to be able to work easily and without wasting time. After all, there is a lot to do. This development is reflected in the trend towards seamless software integration. This allows different systems to exchange data automatically. Manual input is reduced and the risk of making mistakes decreases. Instead of having many different storage locations that have to be selected individually, control is possible centrally on one interface. Such seamless connections are particularly practical when ERP and document management systems are merged.
Files no longer have to be stored twice or versioned laboriously. The DMS takes care of this and accesses the ERP data. This means that you not only work on an up-to-date, but above all complete, central database. Practical and sure to become increasingly popular in the future!
Artificial intelligence for more speed and automation
o you remember the first reports that artificial intelligence was accessible to companies and private individuals? It started slowly at the end of 2022, the big kick-off was in March 2023. Since then, AI has become more and more integrated into our lives, many companies are using the possibilities in their day-to-day work and self-learning systems are also being integrated into software. Microsoft is also integrating AI tools into its solutions, working with so-called agents. These are background processes that take over repeatable tasks. Once everything has been completed, the user receives information and can check and approve the results. AI is a trend that is not only here to stay, but is set to grow. There are two reasons for this: Firstly, more and more people are discovering the benefits of AI and acceptance is increasing.
Secondly, the possible applications are increasing and AI is becoming an integral part of solutions such as ERP systems. Sooner or later, none of us will be able to avoid the technology. If you haven't started yet, you should use 2025 to familiarize yourself with the topic.
Optimum user experience thanks to personalized user interfaces
People want solutions that suit them. This is why user-defined design is also increasingly taking center stage in the IT sector. Intuitive, customizable interfaces offer the opportunity to integrate personal preferences into everyday working life. This is both practical and motivating. After all, users who work on a pleasant interface enjoy their tasks more and generally complete them faster. Popular tools for customized interfaces are Business Intelligence solutions. Here, both the design and the type of data evaluation can be flexibly adapted. But you can also make settings to suit your taste in the ERP and document management system. The scope for putting your own preferences more at the center of your own work increases.
Using resources respectfully and doing the environment a favor: Sustainability is a perennial issue
The issue of sustainability will remain with us in the future. It is too important to use available resources wisely. Many companies use environmental, social and governance (ESG) as a framework for evaluating sustainability
and ethical responsibility in their own processes. If you want, you can easily pull the necessary key figures
from your ERP system and use them to further optimize your own processes. However, the
sustainability factor is also becoming more present in the development of software: More and more
software solutions are helping to improve energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and achieve
sustainability goals. Software for well thought-out resource management, supply chain transparency
and environmental monitoring will become more prominent as the pressure on companies to
achieve their ESG goals grows.
Real-time data enables ever better analyses and decisions
Analyses form the basis for evaluations and trend-setting decisions. The flood of data from companies is constantly increasing. So how do you keep all the relevant information to hand? The trick is to be able to access it in real time. ERP systems serve optimally as a central collection point and offer up-to-date insights at all times.
BI solutions are increasingly being used to supplement this. Such business intelligence tools efficiently evaluate even very large volumes of data and provide insights in a matter of seconds. Combined with a complete, up-to-date database, companies can rely on an optimal basis for decision-making.
Employee satisfaction and flexibility: New Work and working from home
Hybrid working models and remote work make it easier to balance work and private life. The concept of work has changed and the trend continues to point towards New Work, i.e. an employee-oriented working environment. To ensure this, employers must provide the necessary infrastructure. ERP also offers suitable solutions here. Combined with a document management system, working conditions remain secure and flexible. On the other hand, those who work exclusively with files in the office cupboard will fail in the long run. The risk of losing existing employees increases. The chance of convincing junior staff to join the company decreases. Even if some companies want to return to the classic 5-day office week, the trend towards working from home and workation is here to stay. This is because for many employees, the freedom they have gained has become an integral part of their lives that they do not want to do without.
Exciting, flexible, precise: 2025 will be varied
It is clear that flexibility, long-term thinking and new technologies are shaping the ERP market like never before. Whether as a private individual or in professional life, the desire for self-determination and flexible action is increasing. Complex, time-consuming tasks are slowing people down and need to be reduced to a minimum. At the same time, the focus is on security and long-term paths. An exciting mix to which both software and users are reacting. 2025 will be the continuation of a development-rich 2024 and will bring exciting developments that will accompany us all in the long term.
