Summary
The article will be very useful in understanding how ERP modernization is shaping the entire business world, not only through solutions but also from the development perspective.
Introduction
Platforms for low-code and no-code development are useful resources for several reasons. Its visual, drag-and-drop workspaces reduce, or in some cases completely do away with, code and enable more people (regardless of background or expertise) to participate in the application development process. By leveraging these platforms, businesses and organizations may raise their ROI through cost and time savings, accelerated time to market for mission-critical apps, improved operational efficiency, and higher competitiveness. It is undeniable that low-code platforms have benefits, but maybe the biggest benefit is for businesses that are updating their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to cloud based ERP software.
What is ERP Modernization?
A basic fact is that technology develops. ERP systems are evolving with the evolution in technology. The transition from on-premises systems to cloud ERP software is one example that almost all ERP users are familiar with. Users must find a means to go to the cloud, as it offers more agility, scalability, access to cutting-edge technology, and prospects for creativity.
Companies that use cloud-based ERP software with a clear core can switch quite quickly. Yet those companies are uncommon. Despite the extensive lists of features and capabilities offered by ERP systems, each business is distinct.
Businesses have discovered that by using bespoke apps that streamline their unique, mission-critical operations, they can enhance productivity—and the bottom line.
- Long-time ERP customers frequently have bespoke code that dates back decades and has been carried from on-premise systems update to update; however, moving this code to the cloud ERP system would be challenging.
- It is becoming increasingly difficult to find fresh developers willing to work in proprietary language (e.g. SAP ABAP) to handle legacy systems since the developers who designed the bespoke programs are long gone, has moved on to other professions, or have retired.
As a result, companies considering a move to the cloud are searching for the best solution to handle custom code. According to SAP Insider’s Application Strategy and Development for SAP S/4HANA and Cloud research report, 18% of businesses are refactoring code for the cloud, 21% are retiring customized applications and settling for generic functionality, 28% are not moving customized code to the cloud, and 28% are still weighing their options.
The Introduction of Visual Coding
The whole ERP dynamic has undergone a rapid-fire transformation. Nonetheless, conventional systems have not necessarily evolved into cloud ERP software technology. Technology has evolved simultaneously in other facets of organizational administration, and the low-code and no-code industries are flourishing. Many procedures now take place in the cloud. This indicates that visual porn coding environments are being used to develop high-performance apps while conventional coding is gradually becoming less appealing. Organizations can create solutions that are highly customized thanks to no-code and low-code apps, but what does this possible surge in shadow IT means for the ERP systems that are currently in place? How will cloud computing work with ERP?
The Next Generation ERP with No-code/Low-code
The extreme customizability of the apps that no-code and low-code can generate is what gives them their strength. This results from the fact that they are adaptable to a micro industry and may be customized by every individual. As a result, citizen developers may now accomplish what software companies have been working on for years, and no-code ERP systems or even Cloud-based ERP software platforms will soon replace existing ones. It marks the beginning of the transition from solutions designed for a whole industry to solutions tailored to the specific person who needs them. The new applications are designed to interface with and build upon the data and functionality of the old ones, even though this does raise concerns about the current data and infrastructure.
Hence, to tackle this unfriendly situation, the user needs to consider certain aspects while transferring operations to the new software:
- Prepare to implement both those basic modifications and new low-code and no-code next-generation cloud ERP software setups that are intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing systems.
- Organizations will require all hands on deck to enable such integration. Although IT will be in charge of overseeing the move, staff members need to be ready to personalize the system to its fullest.
- Even if it sounds simple enough, the initial business resource planning software solutions required a long time to develop, and the same is true for this.
The Low-Code Solution
Low-code platforms designed with ERP modernization in mind allow developers to upload legacy code to a workspace and modify ancient code, which is similar to importing data from a spreadsheet into a database. The platform can assist developers in determining which old code is essential and which should be removed to reduce technical debt. The old application is then transformed by these sophisticated low-code platforms to produce new apps on the low-code platform that developers may expand with new features.
It's like leveraging the legacy application to jump-start the creation of a new application while also paying off the technical debt of old apps. Also, the platform offers flexibility for future technological advancements. Hence, practically speaking, businesses might continue to utilize their present ERP system while modernizing outdated custom codes. They may then utilize the low-code platform to be ready for a later, less difficult migration to cloud ERP software or other prospective change.
The Impact of Low Code Solutions on ERP Modernization
It may benefit from low-code development in more practical ways than just on paper. That has been demonstrated.
- Dole Packaged Foods is one success story. The organization simplified the transition from SAP ECC 6.0 to SAP S/4HANA while saving 30% on expenses by utilizing low-code development to build mobile applications for its operations.
- The modernization, digitization, and mobilization of hundreds of applications by a major oil and gas drilling contractor also opted for low-code development, particularly in no-connectivity conditions, which are frequent in oil and gas operations. Also, the business shortened the development period from months to weeks while using substantially fewer resources.
- Consider Brown-Forman as well, who opted for low-code development to modernize manual procedures and create applications that are adaptable to new systems or devices their staff may in the future use while keeping the core of their cloud ERP software
Benefits of the Low-Code Platform to ERP System
- No restrictions on customization: If you save modifications in a low-code platform, the cloud ERP software‘s restrictions on customization are no longer an issue. Everything is possible.
- No ERP changes: A “zero ERP changes approach” may be put into practice using a low-code platform that allows deep cloud-based ERP software integration. This implies that any essential adjustments, which are often made by changing ERP systems directly, are made on the low-code platform independently of ERP. In this manner, all low-code modification-equivalents (low-code applications) are correctly recognized, preserved in a single location, and do not derange the ERP architecture. This is crucial while updating your ERP system. Low-code platform apps are reconnected to the new ERP version rather than having to rewrite past adjustments in the new ERP version.
- Mobility – This feature is close to what cloud-based ERP software provides to its users. Today's low-code platforms include a mobile interface, allowing users of smartphones and tablets to access all the programs and data that were generated on the platform. More sophisticated low-code systems (like Novacura Flow) provide consumers with the option to install specific mobile applications on their devices. This method enables low-code apps to utilize all mobile device features, including cameras, mobile printing, Bluetooth BLE connectivity to other IoT devices, and access all stored files in the device. Also, these programs may be used in offline mode, which is crucial for personnel operating outside (like technicians).
- Simple user interface – You may design specialized and optimized apps that will lead to frequent users that require great efficiency in extensive everyday activities (like warehousemen or work center operators on the shop floor) step-by-step. It implies that activities will be precisely changed to the best working route and will aid in boosting productivity. Furthermore, any new hires will immediately use the same method of working since they will be unable to follow a different course without instruction.
- Process Layer: You may implement a business process management (BPM) layer for your cloud ERP software using several low-code platforms. Because of this, customized applications and customizations may be created for specific users in place of conventional forms. Users from different departments can be connected to facilitate cooperation. Several users participating in the acceptance of data updates may also be used to alter master data.
- Multiple Integrations: Integrating your cloud ERP software system with data from your other business systems can be done using low-code platforms. Low-code platform providers frequently offer pre-built connections to simplify technical interfaces and tidy up IT infrastructure.
- Connecting the latest technologies: Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of things (IoT), and augmented reality (AR) are just a few of the newest technologies that may be accessed using sophisticated low-code platforms (like Novacura FLOW) (AR). These add-ons may significantly increase the value of your cloud-based ERP software and increase productivity.
- Deployment of citizen development: Low-code platforms make it possible for businesses to deploy citizen development, one of the newest IT techniques. Using this approach, regular people may learn to create applications without any programming knowledge or experience. Business users may thus participate more actively in the development of apps.
Conclusion
It is a fact that procrastinating in modernizing the ERP environment is allowing your competitors to move steps ahead of you. An enhanced ERP system for business functions enriches the users in connecting and automating tasks, collecting data for faster and more productive decision-making, improving customer service, and checking on the cost that results in profitability. If businesses could able to find a way out from legacy code complexities during cloud migration, they should get on executing it immediately to stay firm on the competition.
Author’s Note
With the rapid shift of technology from traditional processes to the execution of the latest innovations, the author here explained how Low Code/No Code has been leading the transitional change in ERP modernization. With the development of cloud ERP software, the newest addition, Low Code development, has been changing the way the entire system used to work. However, these latest arrivals are only making technology easier to accept for users.
