HOW THE INTERNET OF THINGS IMPACTS ERP, CRM, AND MANUFACTURING

The world is about to get much more connected with the flow of the Internet of Things (IoT). As discussed earlier, the IoT is a network of physical objects that are embedded with software, sensors, and other network-connected technologies that allow these “things” to collect and communicate data.

You may have interacted with an IoT-enabled device. Here are some examples:

• Phone apps that allow you to print photos via Social Networks
• Smartphone-based check-ins in hotel rooms
• Microchips in pets, in case they run away or get lost
• Wi-Fi and internet-enabled vehicles

In other words: it’s kind of a big deal. Basically, everything can be connected to the internet.

With the use of the Internet of Things steadily increasing, the world is slowly becoming more and more connected, with different, newer and greater amounts of data being collected than ever before. So how does this affect the world of ERP, CRM and manufacturing? Well, very drastically.

Impactos no ERP, CRM e Manufatura

While most ERP systems are in the process of adapting to new technologies such as mobility, wearable technology and the cloud, the Internet of Things is expected to be the next big thing in technology. IoT brings a lot of potential to erp, CRM and the manufacturing industry, specifically:

• Re-orders, replenishment, Kanbans, through the use of sensors and devices connected to the internet, could be immediately communicated to a company’s ERP, without the need for human intervention (apart from the occasional moderation of processes).
• Lean manufacturing would be a little leaner, cutting off much of the need for human interaction with machines and data. IoT allows manufacturers to receive notices and notifications when products need attention or repair; however, companies will need to be able to successfully adapt their processes to this new model, as well as respond accordingly.
• Understanding customer behavior within your company’s CRM can get a little more sophisticated. By being able to communicate directly with products, manufacturers are better able to assess how and when products are being used, as well as if and when they malfunction.
• The IoT brings a ton of new data to the table, and that data will need to be collected, processed, analyzed and used efficiently by ERP software. As such, ERP systems will need a lot of energy to handle the flow of new information coming from various devices and products. For manufacturing companies that are intrigued by the IoT prospect, they will need to do a lot of preparatory work and consider many factors, including the size of their current ERP and CRM, how these software tools will connect with the IoT, if at all. in the enterprise are on board the IoT, how it will affect current manufacturing and sales/customer service processes, and much more.
• As mentioned above, flexibility within the workplace is an absolute must when bringing IoT into the mix. The Internet of Things is still relatively new, so there is likely to be a learning curve, no matter how prepared a business may be; regardless, it’s important in implementing any new software or technology to be able to adapt as efficiently as possible and create an action plan for the entire company to follow. Rushing into something as important as IoT can be devastating for any size manufacturer.

Potential IoT Challenges

The Internet of Things brings great potential to erp, CRM and the manufacturing industry; however, it also brings many challenges. Below are some potential problems that IoT can bring:

• Data security is likely to be the biggest pressure point when it comes to IoT. While the IoT gets more data for manufacturers to use, it also opens the door for more data to be breached, specifically with mobile devices or wearable technology. As a newer technology solution, IoT users will need to be able to find a way to secure large amounts of data from sources like mobile;
• The cost of adding IoT is likely to be a large upfront investment, something that many small and medium manufacturers simply won’t be able to do.
• Analysis of IoT data is still relatively weak, which means manufacturers still have to manually parse through massive amounts of information.

While there’s a lot at stake with the Internet of Things, it’s clearly not going away anytime soon. New advances in technology are common in the manufacturing industry, and you can expect software companies to start considering how to tap into the potential of IoT and start creating new ways of processing and understanding technology and communication from all kinds of sources.