How ERP systems are closing the UK's manufacturing skills gap

** 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐑𝐏 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌? 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃! ** When you switch to a new ERP system it is both dangerous and expensive to take your customisation with you in the new implementation. Here’s a few practical steps to consider if you want to leave your customisation behind. ✅ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬 Over the years, the standard functionality has grown significantly. Many functions that were missing at that time are now part of the standard solution. ✅ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 Part of your current customisation was implemented back then because of best practices, certain rules and specific legislation. Are they still relevant today? ✅ 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 Not rarely, customisation was chosen because it was possible. Or because colleagues were used to work in a certain way. But are they still working in your organisation? ✅ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐨𝐧'𝐬  Today, there are add on solutions available that solve specific industry challenges. You can exchange customisation for these standard solutions that are tested, stable, well documented and actively supported.   𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰!

Growth brings new challenges. Spreadsheets multiply, data gets siloed, and decision-making slows down. But how do you know when it’s time to take the next step?    This guide walks you through key indicators that your business may have outgrown its current systems, and how to prepare to move to modern ERP when the time is right.    At Aktion, we help growing companies assess readiness and build a roadmap for modernization that fits their goals.    Read the guide: https://lnkd.in/eVPqB27u  

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿. 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆. Leading enterprises are already planning for what’s next. 2026 will bring another wave of evolving regulations from CSRD and CBAM to EUDR raising expectations for transparency, data quality, and audit readiness. The question isn’t whether you’ll need to adapt. It’s how prepared your organization will be ahead of time. Having the right software partner makes all the difference. The right partner connects your ERP, procurement, and supplier data into a holistic platform that boosts the business bottom line. 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴: 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨? Download the CO₂ Software Partner Checklist to evaluate your readiness or get in touch for a personalized consultation to explore how Carbmee can help you prepare for 2026 already.

Modernising your core systems is not just an IT project, it is a business decision. When you renew a business-critical system, whether it is your ERP, PIM or customer portal, you are deciding what kind of business you will be able to run for years to come. If the new system only mirrors old processes in a new shell, nothing really changes. A true modernisation starts from the business, not simply from paying off technical debt. In our latest blog post, our Technology Director Mikko Harju lists six questions to guide a smart modernisation decision. 👉 Read the blog post to see how system modernisation can become a real investment in competitiveness: https://lnkd.in/dDDFjRc5

The right ERP system only delivers value when it solves the right problems. That’s why Terri Marello starts every engagement with curiosity, not configuration. In her latest article, Terri explains how asking the right questions uncovers the true causes of challenges like engineering handoff gaps and phantom margins. In project-based manufacturing, success isn’t just about technology; it’s about understanding the process behind it. As Terri puts it: Technology is the map. Questions are the compass. You need both to reach the right destination. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gRn3yai6

The manufacturing sector is navigating an increasingly complex and challenging landscape. Rising costs, volatile supply chains, intensifying global competition, and ever-changing regulations have become the new normal. In this environment, technology has emerged as a game-changer. Portia Singo CA(SA) As someone who works with clients in the manufacturing sector, I have seen firsthand how challenging the landscape has become. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, once considered a “nice-to-have,” are now mission-critical for manufacturers striving to stay competitive, efficient, and future-ready. For South African manufacturers, ERP is more than a software upgrade; it is a mindset shift. It is about being ready for whatever comes next, whether that is a new regulation, a supply chain hiccup, or a growth opportunity. https://bit.ly/4nw4fl3

"Just start processing the material. Don’t wait for the job card or the spec sheet. The team knows what to do." How does this connect to cash flows? This is a common scenario where information flow is scattered, verbal, and inconsistent. Imagine doing a task where you need to gather information from two people over the phone, another in person, and then from an ERP terminal that’s 15 feet away and currently occupied. How can we expect this person to be productive? Product specifications, machine settings, past feedback, and quality parameters are all scattered. We expect the person on the Gemba to sort out the information flow and still deliver on productivity KPIs. It is like asking for directions five times on the way and still expecting to reach the destination faster by driving harder. We often fail to realize that information flow directly impacts material flow and ultimately cash flow. The faster the information flows, the faster the material moves, and so does the cash flow. That is why one of the most sought-after implementations today is a robust ERP system that enables faster and better information flow and decision-making throughout the value chain. So, the next time you see question marks on people’s faces, first check the information flow. #InformationFlow #Lean #CashFlows #ERP #ContinuousImprovement #SystemsThinking

So often, manufacturing flow is held hostage to the rigidity of legacy ERP systems. Posting not done. Work order release delay, route card not generated....and many more reasons. Muda of waiting is a result of such information systems and flow. Information systems need to be dynamic, adaptable and support flow of value addition..not create walls. #erp #flow #value

It still amazes me how often companies treat ERP go-live as the victory lap rather than the starting line. The system works but the behaviors, processes, and decision-making patterns often don’t change with it. That’s how you end up with shadow spreadsheets quietly calling the shots. Vision, not software, is what determines whether an ERP becomes an accelerant or an expensive detour. Read our latest post - Link in the comments!

Read this Acumatica article to see why fewer, well-chosen metrics outperform an overloaded dashboard and how selecting KPIs aligned with your business goals (like reducing costs, growing market share, or improving service) leads to meaningful improvements. 🔗Read here: https://lnkd.in/gQFAuFk7 Article highlights: - Key measures such as inventory turnover, on-time delivery, customer lifetime value and cash conversion cycle. - How a modern ERP centralizes data and makes KPI monitoring actionable