As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, there are few industries where the word ERP is an unknown word. Digital management systems as we know them today have evolved from complex planning systems in the automotive industry in the 1960s. But it wasn't until the 1990s that the term ERP software was coined, kicking off what would be a race to encompass the management of more of an organization's business areas.

ERP software has evolved over the past 30 years to provide real-time, orchestrated service at all operational and functional levels of a company. Now, the paradigm shift occurred when ERP solutions for transport and logistics began to be massively adopted in the SaaS model in the past decade. In this article we analyze with our IT director, Salvador Monill, the five most relevant ERP trends that mark the evolution of the logistics ERP for this year. E-commerce, industry 4.0 technologies and the new consumer have a lot to do with these trends.

ERP 2020 trends bytemaster

1. The Hyper-automation of Logistics ERP Software

Process automation is now essential for any company that wants to guarantee the efficiency of its operations. Logistics ERP software plays a very important role in this aspect: in communication with third parties, in the elaboration of routes, processes, transport offers. The trend in ERP software, with the advent of artificial intelligence, cloud services and increasingly fast technologies, is for operations in the logistics sector to become hyper-automated. By hyper-automation we mean the ability to manage large amounts of data and many processes, such as customs, accounting, transport tracking. Salvador Monill, comments on cases like Cacesa, who are capable of handling over 37,000 customs clearances a day. This is only possible through tools that allow efficient automation of processes, such as ERP Logistics _b firstsoftware.

2. The acceleration of the Cloud

Although the market has tended to migrate to the cloud over the last decade, it is its acceleration that makes the news. Until now, the most customer-oriented applications, such as CRM or Helpdesk, were the candidates to migrate to the cloud. Now, cloud computing enables a competitive software offering for freight forwarders and logistics operators in the SaaS model. As Salvador says, the infrastructure associated with ERP software no longer provides value. "The tendency of IT departments in logistics is to leave the management of infrastructure to third parties and focus on process improvement". In these lines, the publication Finances Online stands out:

  • On-premise solutions are costly to implement and maintain. For this reason, companies are looking to migrate to the cloud.
  • The modular strategy of the Logistics ERP software in SaaS model, allows a better control of the use and budgets. In this way, many more companies can opt for quality ERP systems.

3. Integration with Artificial Intelligence

Today's ERPs generate a large amount of data. For this reason, they become an essential focus for tools that can extract actionable information from the business. Data can also enable process learning and accelerate automation through artificial intelligence. While these solutions are complementary today, the trend in ERP programs for transportation and logistics is for them to be native to the system. Salvador Monill comments on the importance of preparing the ERPs for this new generation of iERPs. "The most important thing for a system to respond quickly to data mining and artificial intelligence tools is that there is a consolidated and accessible database. That's _b firstwhat we've worked out, which puts us closer to more complex systems of artificial intelligence.

Alvaro Partida, from Partida Logistics

"The most important thing is that there is a consolidated and accessible database. That's _b firstwhat we've worked out, which brings us closer to more complex systems of artificial intelligence.

SAVIOR MONILL
IT Manager at Bytemaster

4. All in Mobile Applications

Full compatibility on mobile devices is the trend for this 2020. Apart from access to information anywhere, mobile applications allow you to operate from anywhere. This is essential for business areas where speed is key to competitiveness, such as commercial in freight forwarding companies. The requirements for solutions that work in mobile environments are growing rapidly. Companies see in them an opportunity for faster decision making, better workflows and more efficiency. "In bytemaster, we will soon offer a much more agile web version of the CRM that will be accessible from mobile devices very quickly. We know that for the commercial strength of freight forwarders, being able to bid quickly is key to winning an account," says Salvador Monill.

5. The Implication of Finance

Logistics ERP software has been very oriented to provide accounting and financial tools with a high level of complexity. Likewise, the financial modules are the big consumers of reports and analysis tools. The trend for this decade, however, is for the finance department to become more involved in both the company's internal and external processes. "The tendency of finance directors is to opt for specialized software for freight forwarders and logistics operators that allows them complete visibility of operations," says Salvador. For example,

 

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