TECH & AI
He says : “ For example , paying a supplier invoice when it is due is a pattern . Once you have identified all your business patterns , you then add human roles where it makes sense , and you let automation take care of the rest .”
ERP ‘ has earned a bad rap as an expensive and drawn-out exercise ’ Pretorius believes ERP has earned a bad rap as an expensive and drawn-out exercise that often does not live up to expectations “ because software selection gets more attention than business strategy formulation .”
In agreement is Maureen O ’ Shea , partner and Head of Supply Chain at KPMG . She says that when it comes to technology , businesses must keep sight of the bigger strategic picture that has been framed by its IBP , and not get lost “ in bells and whistles
In a KMPG paper on the future of integrated business planning , she says that with technology , businesses should keep it simple .
“ There ’ s been a tendency in the past for too many bolt-ons and bells and whistles ,” she says . “ Organisations need to understand what the essence of planning is , and use technology as an enabler .”
She adds : “ IBP can bring the business strands together . It ’ s about alignment , about arriving at a single version of the truth that is accepted and agreed on across the functions of a business .
“ By harnessing the power of today ’ s technology , and building on the ‘ can-do ’ mindset developed through the pandemic - and taking a committed and determined one team approach - there is little doubt that IBP holds huge potential for organisations to better manage their businesses . The signs are that many are making significant progress on the journey .” supplychaindigital . com 117