The sad reality of digital transformation in the business environment
Much is said about digital transformation.
The use of technology is increasingly present. It is impossible for a company to operate sustainably without the proper use of integrated systems.
But, unfortunately, no matter the size – small, medium or large – what is identified in most corporations is that true fortunes, time and efforts were invested in the purchase and implementation of integrated systems (ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning), but they still suffer from relevant flaws, which impose limitations and result in high costs.
In order not to make a list that would consume several pages, let’s limit ourselves to a few examples:
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lack of systems integration, which results in the need for rework, unnecessary costs, manual interventions, errors and delays;
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important modules that were not implemented;
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modules that have been implemented and are not used;
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widespread use of electronic spreadsheets that, in most cases, are fed based on data obtained from the ERP;
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total lack of systemic control of shop floor information, as most ERPs on the market do not communicate with the machines;
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lack of rationality in processes, which holds organizations back; and
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existence of different systems and technological platforms.
Do you think the list above is an exaggeration? Here’s a small challenge: make an inventory of the number of processes and information in your organization that are supported by spreadsheets. We believe that the result will surprise you.
The benefits offered by the integrated systems and the maximized use of their functionalities and processes cannot be overlooked. Stocks, production, sales, purchases, accounts payable, receivable, treasury, accounting, (among other areas within a company) are factors of competitiveness when properly explored through technology.
Competitiveness, yes: a single record must quickly feed all the subsequent phases involved in the process, free of errors, manual interventions, spreadsheets and fraud risks.
In addition to the great solutions, with technological advances, there are a multitude of platforms available for small and medium-sized companies, some hosted in the Cloud, with low cost of acquisition, support and maintenance.
Evolution brought possibilities to enhance the use of ERP with the inclusion of new resources with high potential to connect organizations to an advanced world, and now digital, capable of bringing highly advantageous solutions to the business environment with the use of RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Data Analytics, Big Data, AI, IoT, Machine Learning and mobility.
Article written by Fabricio Liani, Senior Manager of IT Advisory Services specializing in Information Technology at PP&C Auditores Independentes.