Enterprise Resource Meets Producers Where

Increased interconnectivity and cloud-based systems bring sophisticated ERP software capabilities to small and medium-sized companies as well as the big players.

IT WAS NOT LONG AGO that using sophisticated software meant you had to be a large company with deep pockets. That’s not true today as software has become both more powerful and less expensive, putting it within reach of small and medium-sized companies as well.

Vendors are introducing new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software designed to enable food and beverage processors even in narrow market segments to quickly access the data they need to improve the e ciency of their operations.

“ERP software is constantly evolving, in no small part because the food and beverage industry is always evolving,” says Jack Payne, Aptean’s director of solution consulting for food and beverage. “Today, some developments are driven by new technologies, and on that front, there’s no topic that’s hotter than artificial intelligence (AI). We’re already seeing AI applications to help with optimized software setup and customized suggestions that could be incorporated into ERP solutions.”

Other developments are more trend-driven, according to Payne. “For example, ERP tools for reducing food waste and spoilage to drive greater sustainability are very popular right now, as are features that help businesses manage cost fl uctuations and infl ation,” he says. “Mobile accessibility has also become widespread among ERP systems, but now many are moving toward mobile optimization to improve that functionality.”

Connecting work ows

There’s also a general push toward greater interconnectivity between ERP software and other types of software, including business intelligence (BI) for indepth reporting and analytics, plus electronic data interchange (EDI) for transacting with larger clients. “And there are still more supplementary systems that can be integrated, including transportation management systems (TMS) for companies that distribute their own products,” Payne adds.

Other new developments crucial to the food and beverage industry include enabling real-time inventory tracking, in-depth analytics, and ERP to warehouse management system (WMS) integration, notes Jacob Olson, director of manufacturing solutions for Cleo. “These advancements are driven by ecosystem integration technology and the utilization of APIs to connect business systems and improve order management and fulfillment processes,” he says. “The ERP handles order management while the WMS takes care of fulfillment, creating a more e cient and streamlined workflow.”

Directly integrating both ERP and WMS into business processes such as inbound customer orders helps manufacturers better monitor and predict future inventory levels in real time, Olsen adds. “This integration enables companies to maximize the value of in-depth analytics and leverage business intelligence, Big Data analysis, data archiving, machine learning, and data science to optimize processes, develop e ective strategies, and plan for the future.”