The collaboration brings Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat OpenShift support to a wider array of deployment options on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), encompassing government, sovereign, and distributed cloud services. This expansion is particularly pertinent as organizations increasingly seek flexible and secure cloud solutions to meet diverse operational requirements.

Red Hat OpenShift is now certified to run on OCI Roving Edge Infrastructure, Oracle Compute Cloud@Customer, and Oracle Private Cloud Appliance. This certification enables customers to deploy workloads on Red Hat OpenShift across various OCI environments with confidence, knowing they are tested, certified, and supported by both Oracle and Red Hat.

Recognizing the growing importance of AI in enterprise operations, the collaboration extends support for Red Hat OpenShift AI on OCI. This includes validation on OCI’s NVIDIA A100 and H100 GPU shapes, facilitating high-performance model training and inference for demanding AI and machine learning workloads.

Oracle is actively validating key applications and software, such as Oracle WebLogic Server, to run seamlessly on Red Hat OpenShift containers. This initiative delivers a jointly supported, premium customer experience, empowering users to leverage the full potential of Oracle software on the flexibility and scalability of Red Hat OpenShift, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

Furthermore, the Oracle Cloud Scale Monetization portfolio has been validated on Red Hat OpenShift, offering communications service providers enhanced infrastructure flexibility for comprehensive, unified business support systems.

The collaboration maintains the certification of Oracle Database, including Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC), on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Additionally, Red Hat has initiated a validation effort for Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization to better support Oracle Database customers on this evolving platform.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Strategic hybrid cloud adoption. For tech leaders, this collaboration underscores the importance of adopting a strategic hybrid cloud approach. By leveraging the combined strengths of Red Hat and Oracle, organizations can achieve greater flexibility and scalability in their IT operations. The certification of Red Hat OpenShift on various OCI environments ensures that enterprises can deploy applications across different infrastructures with consistent performance and support.

Accelerated AI integration. The enhanced support for AI workloads, including validation on NVIDIA GPU shapes, provides enterprises with the necessary tools to accelerate AI integration into their operations. This development is crucial for organizations aiming to harness AI for improved decision-making and operational efficiency. By utilizing Red Hat OpenShift AI on OCI, businesses can streamline the development and deployment of AI models, leading to faster time-to-value.

Optimized enterprise applications. The validation of Oracle applications on Red Hat OpenShift offers tech leaders the opportunity to optimize their enterprise applications for cloud-native environments. This move facilitates the modernization of legacy systems, enabling smoother transitions to the cloud and improved application performance. By adopting this integrated approach, organizations can enhance their agility and responsiveness to market changes.

The post Red Hat and Oracle Expand Collaboration to Accelerate Hybrid Cloud Transformation appeared first on ERP Today.

Leading this evolution is Sharat Prakash, Senior Manager of ERP and Analytics, whose vision for operational excellence in a low-margin, high-volume industry like horticulture blends technology, education, and empathy. “This industry never makes the tech headlines,” Prakash said. “But precision farming needs precision systems.”

Metrolina had been running Sage MAS 500 for over two decades—but without fully using it as the source of truth. Production data was fragmented. Financials were isolated. Most decision-making happened in spreadsheets. So when Metrolina decided to adopt Sage X3 and Practical Software’s grower vertical, it wasn’t just about software. It was about shifting mindsets.

“In most ERP projects, you turn one system off and another on. But here, the goal was to embed a new way of thinking into a workforce that spans over 1,000 seasonal and full-time employees,” Prakash explained.

Instead of starting with finance, Metrolina went live first with production, inventory, and purchasing to match the seasonality of the business. But implementing ERP in a greenhouse isn’t like a factory. It requires intuitive workflows, mobile-first access, and deep integrations. “We had to build custom apps on top of Sage X3 to make it usable for our floor teams. You can’t expect someone on a production line to use a desktop interface designed for back-office finance.”

The result: an ERP core that supports everything from raw material purchasing to finished plant inventory, with real-time visibility across the greenhouse and dock. “We ship over 200 trucks a day in peak season,” said Prakash. “You can’t run that on spreadsheets.”

The real challenge wasn’t just technology. It was adoption. In an industry where many workers are seasonal, part-time, and bilingual, ERP usability matters. “You can’t force systems on people who don’t see the value. You have to prove that entering data isn’t an extra step—it’s the work itself,” Prakash said.

To solve this, Metrolina partnered with Practical Software and internal developers to create tablet-friendly UIs, lightweight mobile apps, and simplified transactions tailored to end users. They also rolled out SOPs and embedded training into the seasonal onboarding process.

“We’re not just implementing ERP. We’re creating a digital workforce from the ground up,” Prakash noted. And while finance and sales modules are still rolling out, production adoption is already yielding better forecasting and inventory accuracy.

Looking ahead, Metrolina sees massive opportunity to bring AI, machine learning, and computer vision into the greenhouse. “Precision farming means knowing the health of your crops in real time. Cameras and image recognition can spot disease, count inventory, and guide irrigation—but only if the data backbone is there,” said Prakash.

The global precision farming market is projected to grow from $10.5 billion in 2023 to over $21.9 billion by 2028, driven by increasing demand for crop yield optimization, sustainability mandates, and operational cost control. Specific technologies such as AI-powered vision systems, smart irrigation sensors, and GPS-guided equipment are becoming increasingly accessible to mid-sized growers.

Yet, challenges persist. A 2024 report from McKinsey highlights that fewer than 30% of agriculture businesses currently leverage end-to-end digital operations platforms. For precision technologies to scale, farms and growers must first modernize their ERP and data foundations—a process Metrolina has already begun.

While cost remains a barrier, especially in an industry with razor-thin margins, Prakash is optimistic: “We’ve seen quotes for $10M imaging systems. That’s not realistic for most growers. But as adoption grows, costs will fall.”

Sage X3, with its modularity and deep partner ecosystem, gives Metrolina a path forward. While the AI wave is still on the horizon, the foundation for intelligent automation is now in place.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Verticalization drives relevance and adoption. Generic ERP doesn’t work in specialized industries. Sage X3, combined with Practical Software’s grower vertical, shows how sector-specific extensions drive faster value realization and user buy-in. ERP leaders must prioritize industry depth over breadth to win adoption in complex verticals like agriculture.

Success requires a human-centered approach to tech. For Metrolina, the challenge wasn’t just data—it was behavior. Embedding ERP into a multilingual, transient workforce required rethinking interfaces, training, and even the definition of work. Tech leaders should apply the same user empathy in any low-tech legacy environment.

Build now for the AI future of agriculture. Precision farming will be AI-powered—but only if the ERP layer is digitized, integrated, and extensible. With Sage X3 and Practical Software’s vertical, Metrolina is building the right foundation. CIOs in agriculture and manufacturing should follow suit to enable scalable innovation down the line.

The post From Greenhouse to Datahouse: How Metrolina Is Cultivating a Modern ERP Mindset with Sage X3 appeared first on ERP Today.

Facing mounting pressure to do more with less, public institutions like CPS are increasingly turning to enterprise-grade technology solutions to streamline operations, improve resource allocation, and boost transparency. In CPS’s case, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With over 600 schools and 300,000 students, every dollar saved through operational efficiency becomes a dollar that can be redirected to student-facing programs.

CPS’s decision to move to Oracle Fusion Applications came after a thorough evaluation of its outdated systems and the growing demands placed on public education. The goal? To create an agile back-office foundation capable of responding to budget pressures, workforce complexities, and supply chain volatility—all without compromising service to students and staff.

“With Oracle Fusion Applications, we can utilize advanced AI and automation features to enhance the speed and accuracy of our business processes,” said Charles Mayfield, CPS’s chief operating officer. “This will help us boost productivity and allocate resources more effectively to ensure more resources are available for our students.”

By standardizing on a unified platform, CPS is joining a growing number of public sector organizations seeking to modernize their ERP environment in one coordinated move. According to recent research, public sector cloud ERP adoption is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12% through 2028, driven by the need for real-time insights and digital agility.

CPS will implement Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP to streamline financial operations, increase budget accuracy, and enhance compliance. Oracle’s embedded AI capabilities will help automate routine tasks—such as invoice matching, budget forecasting, and risk detection—freeing up staff to focus on strategic initiatives.

On the HR front, Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) will centralize workforce operations. From recruitment and onboarding to benefits administration and performance tracking, CPS will gain a single source of truth for employee data—key to engaging and retaining talent in a competitive education labor market.

The supply chain functionality, also part of the Fusion suite, will allow CPS to better manage procurement, vendor relationships, and inventory—critical for supporting operations across a sprawling urban district with complex logistics needs.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Unified cloud platforms drive sustainable efficiency. CPS’s transition illustrates how large institutions can standardize on a single platform to simplify operations and unlock long-term gains. For tech leaders managing legacy sprawl, this is a call to consolidate. Oracle Fusion enables organizations to unify ERP, HCM, and SCM under one roof—reducing integration overhead and improving data fidelity. Market data suggests that organizations using Oracle Cloud Applications see an average 3.2x return on investment within three years.

AI is the catalyst, not the add-on. Oracle Fusion doesn’t just offer automation—it embeds AI at the core. Predictive analytics, digital assistants, and agentic AI help organizations move from reactive to proactive operations. CPS expects automation to speed up processing times and improve accuracy across finance and HR. This is critical for ERP buyers evaluating platforms not just on features, but on their ability to deliver measurable productivity improvements via AI.

Modern ERP is a strategic education enabler. ERP transformation is no longer just about cost control. CPS’s move highlights how ERP can become an enabler of educational outcomes—by freeing up resources, improving workforce management, and accelerating procurement for school needs. For public sector and mission-driven enterprises, Oracle Fusion demonstrates how modern ERP aligns technology with impact, not just operations.

The post Unlocking Efficiency for Public Education: Chicago Public Schools Goes All-In on Oracle Fusion appeared first on ERP Today.

According to Inetum, this restructuring will bring the company closer to its clients, better respond to regional nuances, and turbocharge the execution of its two core business lines: Inetum Solutions, led by Hemant Lamba, and Inetum Consulting, led by Emmanuelle Payan.

François Fleutiaux Appointed to Head EUROMED

The newly formed EUROMED hub significantly consolidates Inetum’s regional presence, bringing together France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Morocco, and Tunisia.

The region will be helmed by François Fleutiaux, who has joined Inetum and has experience in leadership roles at Orange Business France, T-Systems International, IBM, Unisys, and Fujitsu. Inetum indicated that his track record in driving growth and leading major transformations with a customer-centric approach signals a clear intent to energize this key region, which is home to many businesses reliant on robust SAP landscapes.

Inetum Expands Kathy Quashie’s Role

The “Growing Markets” hub, encompassing the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe, will be led by Kathy Quashie.

This expands Quashie’s role as CEO of Growing Markets for the Inetum Group. She was previously at the helm of Inetum’s UK and Ireland markets, and her expanded role underscores the company’s ambition in these territories that represent significant markets for SAP adoption and transformation.

Manuel Garcia Del Valle Carlos Roca to Continue Leading LATAM Ops

According to Inetum, the established Iberia-LATAM zone, already a model of regional synergy, will continue under the region’s current CEO, Manuel Garcia Del Valle Carlos Roca. This continuity highlights the success of the company’s integrated approach across Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.

All three regional leaders will report directly to Jacques Pommeraud, Chairman and CEO of the Inetum group, and will be integral members of the Group Executive Committee.

Building on a Successful Model

Commenting on the changes, Jacques Pommeraud, Chairman and CEO of Inetum, stated, “This simplification of our organization builds on the proven success of our Iberia-LATAM model, which has demonstrated how markets sharing cultural and economic ties can generate significant synergies.”

He added that grouping operations into these three strategic areas will create more powerful entities capable of accelerating innovation and optimizing Inetum’s presence across its markets.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

With this new structure, Inetum is seeking to enhance service delivery. ERP users should note that this structural change from a partner like Inetum aims to maximize its local footprint and promote the cross-pollination of best practices. These are vital elements when undertaking complex ERP projects or seeking ongoing support and innovation from partners like SAP, which already has a strong presence in these regions.

A renewed regional focus signals more substantial synergies. For ERP professionals, these changes at Inetum highlight a strategic intent to become more synergistic across all its locations, which can directly impact the quality and relevance of the services you receive. Expect tailored approaches that better understand the specific challenges and opportunities within each geographic market where your ERP system operates.

Greater potential for leveraging shared expertise. Inetum’s emphasis on strengthening regional synergies also suggests potentially strengthened shared resources across borders, which could translate into more efficient project delivery and innovative solutions. For example, the move could result in even more competitive service models for clients navigating the complexities of digital transformation with SAP S/4HANA, cloud migrations, or other ERP initiatives.

The post Inetum Sharpens Regional Focus with Simplified Structure appeared first on ERP Today.

Leveraging Platform-Based Strategy

With an ambitious yet focused approach, Inetum is leveraging its platform-based strategy, deep client intimacy, and differentiated delivery model to create meaningful business outcomes across Europe and growing markets. Quashie emphasizes, “From public sector modernization to AI-enabled service innovation, Inetum is positioning itself as a scalable and trusted partner.

“Digital” is a term that’s lost much of its punch through overuse. For Inetum, however, digital transformation isn’t a nebulous aspiration — it’s a defined, data-driven strategy anchored in three principles: cloud-first, data-first, and AI-first.

“When we speak of transformation, it’s about harmonizing technology with business—not just implementing software,” explains Lamba. “We take a platform-centric view, integrating best-in-class solutions like ServiceNow, SAP, Salesforce and Microsoft, and across the value chain. That’s where real impact begins.”

This strategy emphasizes seamless integration—from customer acquisition and internal employee experience to backend supply chain and compliance. What sets Inetum apart is its dedication not only to the mid-market and public sector but also to verticalization. We develop industry-specific use cases in areas such as e-health, Industry 4.0, utilities, smart cities, retail, and telecom. This approach ensures that transformation initiatives are not only technical but intimately aligned with industry needs.

Embedding GenAI and Agentic AI

With GenAI and Agentic AI reshaping enterprise value propositions, Inetum has taken a decisive step toward embedding these technologies into its core offerings.

“Innovation is in our DNA,” says Lamba, who also oversees the group’s innovation labs. “We don’t just experiment with GenAI — we’ve built an internal GenAI Hub that is LLM-agnostic and designed to scale. From training to deployment, we help our clients be AI-ready, not just AI-curious.”

The company’s “AI readiness” model begins with robust data foundations, followed by cloud optimization and platform alignment. It’s a pragmatic model that rejects “proof-of-concept fatigue” — a trap many organizations fall into when AI projects stall after initial tests.

“When we speak of transformation, it’s about harmonizing technology with business—not just implementing software. We take a platform-centric view, integrating best-in-class solutions across the value chain.” – Hemant Lamba, CEO of Inetum Solutions

Inetum’s enterprise AI solutions range from predictive analytics and workflow automation to Agentic AI that enables autonomous decision-making within defined business constraints. Its early selection by ServiceNow as one of the top 10 partners to pilot its Agentic AI use cases further underscores Inetum’s credentials.

Focused Market Strategy

Inetum focuses squarely on markets where it can build depth, not just breadth. Nearly 100% of its business is concentrated in Europe, particularly in mid-market enterprises and the public sector.

“We’ve worked closely with regional governments and public institutions,” Quashie notes. “We speak the languages, understand the regulations, and build intimacy at a regional level.”

This intimacy fuels trust—an asset Inetum cultivates deliberately. Its best-shore strategy, a hybrid of nearshore, offshore, and on-site delivery, reflects this client-centric ethos. Whether it’s leveraging SAP expertise from Portugal or deploying ServiceNow talent from Bulgaria and India, the company offers flexibility without compromising cultural relevance or quality.

Culture as a Competitive Differentiator

To Quashie and Lamba, culture is more than a corporate cliché—it’s a competitive differentiator. Both have gathered leadership across geographies to co-create trust-focused team norms, emphasizing trust, accountability, and excellence.

“In a high-trust environment, people are empowered to innovate and take responsibility,” Lamba explains. “Culture isn’t taught—it’s experienced.”

Quashie echoes this sentiment, pointing to Inetum’s strategic bet on the UK and Ireland (UKI) as a proving ground for cultural and operational cohesion. With Inetum’s acquisition of ServiceNow specialist Unifii, the UKI market has become a launchpad for its broader strategy of organic growth in the growing markets.

Disciplined Expansion

Despite operating in a competitive landscape, Inetum’s growth strategy avoids the pitfalls of undisciplined expansion. Instead, it targets high-potential regions like the UK and Ireland, combining local acquisitions with innovation labs and deep partner ecosystems.

Their success in public sector IT has been bolstered by the UK government’s BOS2 framework (RM6285), G-Cloud 14 and DOS 6, giving Inetum direct access to public sector procurement for cloud and hybrid SaaS solutions. These strategic footholds are part of a deliberate plan to replicate their proven European model in newer markets.

“Focus is our superpower,” Quashie notes. “We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re solving real problems in sectors we understand deeply.”

With over 7,000 experts in its Solutions unit and a goal to double its team size in the coming years, Inetum places massive emphasis on capability building. Its 2025 certification strategy aims to ensure 100% of consultants are certified across its four core platforms— ServiceNow, SAP, Salesforce and Microsoft.

Centers of Excellence

Regional hubs such as Bulgaria (ServiceNow), Portugal (SAP), and Belgium (Microsoft) are not only delivery centers but also Centers of Excellence. These hubs enable Inetum to execute at scale while retaining regional specificity, a balance few competitors manage well.

“Focus is our superpower. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re solving real problems in sectors we understand deeply.” – Kathy Quashie, EVP and CEO of Inetum Growing Markets

Moreover, each hub operates with internal academies and innovation labs. We have seven GenAI Hubs across Europe to accelerate learning and product development in tandem.

Overcoming AI Fatigue

Lamba acknowledges the industry-wide fatigue around AI. “There’s too much ‘death by POC,’” he quips. “Everyone is experimenting, but few are scaling. Our approach is grounded—we ask: What is the business case? Are you AI-ready? If not, we get you there.”

Inetum’s GenAI Factory is a cornerstone of this effort, offering enterprises a structured way to develop, deploy, and scale generative and agentic AI solutions across their platforms. This includes industry-specific applications already live in ServiceNow’s marketplace.

Enterprise-First AI Approach

Lamba stresses, “Crucially, Inetum’s AI approach is enterprise-first. Inetum helps clients bridge structured and unstructured data environments, a key hurdle in most GenAI implementations. Whether dealing with legacy databases or real-time cloud services, the goal is to unify and extract value seamlessly”. Security is also paramount. As AI expands, so do the risks. Inetum’s AI roadmap includes a strong focus on zero-trust frameworks and cybersecurity, integrating safety protocols from day one.

Bold Ambitions and Repeatable Playbook

Inetum’s ambitions are bold: to be the uncontested leader in digital transformation for Europe’s upper mid-market and public sector. Yet, it’s the clarity of execution that’s winning clients. Its playbook is repeatable: start with client intimacy, build on trusted platforms, layer in AI and data, and deliver through a blended nearshore/onshore model. It’s a strategy grounded in execution, not hype.

As Lamba puts it, “We’re not interested in being the loudest voice—we want to be the most dependable one.”

Inetum’s story is not one of radical reinvention but one of focused excellence. For C-level leaders navigating a complex landscape of AI promises, hybrid cloud realities, and digital fatigue, Inetum offers a model worth emulating: pragmatic innovation, deeply local engagement, and an uncompromising focus on results. At a time when many digital transformation narratives are fraying under scrutiny, Inetum’s is just beginning to unfold—with clarity, credibility, and a roadmap built not just for growth, but for trust.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

Focus on industry-specific solutions and deep platform integration. Inetum’s competitive advantage lies in its verticalization strategy (developing industry-specific use cases) and its platform-centric approach, integrating best-in-class solutions like ServiceNow, SAP, Salesforce and Microsoft. The company focuses on understanding the unique needs of specific industries like smart cities, e-health or utilities, for example, and ensuring seamless integration of ERP systems within a broader digital ecosystem. As Quashie aptly summarized, “Thus, seeking partners, like Inetum, who not only implement ERP but also possess deep industry knowledge and a proven track record for delivering tangible business outcomes.”

Emphasize client intimacy and a trust-focused culture for true success. Deep client intimacy, particularly within the European mid-market and public sector, leveraging regional understanding and a blended delivery model are some of the hallmarks that have made Inetum successful. As Quashie and Lamba point out, their internal culture emphasizes trust, accountability, and excellence. This underscores the value of prioritizing strong, long-term relationships, understanding regional context and regulations, and fostering a collaborative and trustworthy engagement. All these factors can result in more tailored ERP implementations and ongoing support that aligns with an organization’s specific needs and cultural nuances.

Focus on AI readiness and scalability for pragmatic innovation. Inetum’s approach to innovation, particularly with AI, emphasizes practical application and scalability rather than just experimentation. Their “AI readiness” model, starting with data foundations and cloud optimization, aims to avoid “proof-of-concept fatigue.” This highlights the fact that when organizations seek implementation partners, they must look for one that can guide them through a structured AI adoption journey, ensuring their data and infrastructure are prepared for AI integration. The partner should help the organization focus on solutions that can be scaled for real business impact within their ERP landscape and beyond. This is what Inetum’s mission is all about – to help our customers transform potential into performance.

The post Unlocking Digital Impact: Inetum Redefines Transformation Through Platform Ecosystems and AI Innovation appeared first on ERP Today.

Acumatica, which specializes in providing cloud-based ERP solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has gained traction across industries due to its flexibility, customization, and user-focused design. But how does it perform in real-world scenarios? ERP Today caught up with Acumatica users from different industries to get their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of using ERP systems and to explore their valuable lessons for businesses navigating their own ERP journeys.

Empowering Users

One of the most significant advantages of deploying an Acumatica system cited by users is its adaptability. Unlike many ERP systems that impose rigid workflows and static interfaces, Acumatica allows businesses to tailor the system to their needs.

Bob Scott, CFO at Carma, a West Coast-based general contractor and one of the early adopters of Acumatica’s ERP platform, noted, “The platform’s flexibility, particularly in user interface customization, is invaluable. Employees can configure screens to display only relevant data—such as hiding units of measure when dealing with sub-contractor invoices—eliminating unnecessary clutter.”

“Moreover, Acumatica enables individual users to personalize their dashboards without affecting others, allowing different departments to work more efficiently while maintaining a cohesive system,” he added.

This level of AI integration could revolutionize ERP UX.

—Bob Scott, CFO, Carma

This contrasts with luxury bathrobe distributor Boca Terry’s experience with NetSuite, where they struggled with rigid character limits and formatting constraints that clashed with its existing inventory system. “For companies like ours that deal with complex supply chains and unique operational needs, Acumatica’s customization features provide a significant UX advantage,” said Bruce Cohen, President of Boca Terry. “This enables us to mold the system to our workflows rather than forcing us to adapt to the software’s limitations.”

Beyond interface adjustments, data accessibility is another major UX highlight. Scott, a self-described “data junkie,” lauded Acumatica’s straightforward data retrieval system. “A simple yet powerful feature—an “Excel button” embedded within queries—allows us to export data seamlessly without the cumbersome process of exporting, reformatting, and reimporting. This seemingly minor convenience has significantly enhanced our productivity by reducing repetitive tasks and facilitating rapid analysis,” he said.

Enhancing Data Visibility

For many businesses, the transition to Acumatica has meant a radical transformation in operational efficiency. For example, Boca Terry experienced a substantial workflow overhaul after implementing Acumatica.

“Before adopting the platform, we relied on multiple disconnected systems, including an Access database, Act CRM, and QuickBooks for finance,” Cohen said. This fragmented approach led to redundant data entry, inefficiencies, and difficulty tracking orders across departments.

Cohen noted that with Acumatica, these silos have been eliminated. “Sales orders entered by representatives now flow automatically through inventory management, finance, and shipping, reducing manual intervention and the risk of errors,” he added.

Acumatica’s customization features provide a significant UX advantage. —Bruce Cohen, President, Boca Terry

Beyond automation, the ERP platform’s cloud-based infrastructure has improved data accessibility for key stakeholders. Cohen highlighted how he and his brother can now instantly access critical financial reports—including profit and loss statements and balance sheets—without requiring direct input from the finance team. “The ability to generate on-demand, customized reports, such as commission and shipping reports, further enhances usability, ensuring that we have access to the data we need when we need it,” he explained.

For companies that rely on real-time insights to drive decision-making, this level of transparency and accessibility is invaluable and a must-have in an ERP platform.

Navigating Change Management

The transition phase is critical to determining long-term user satisfaction. During a user discussion at the Acumatica 2025 Summit in Las Vegas this year, the panel underscored key best practices in this area.

They highlighted the importance of employee buy-in and structured preparation.

“By involving employees early, clearly communicating the benefits of the new system, and creating a dedicated implementation team, we could ease the transition,” a user from the construction industry told the audience. “Our proactive use of Acumatica University courses allowed employees to attend workshops with foundational knowledge, ensuring a smoother learning curve.”

Similarly, another panel member emphasized the value of a sandbox environment, which allows employees to experiment with the system without affecting live data. “This hands-on training method reduces anxiety, builds confidence, and ultimately enhances user experience post-implementation,” he said.

However, even with thorough preparation, obstacles can arise. Cohen states, “Boca Terry experienced delays in migrating financial data, requiring extended parallel operations.”

During the panel discussion, a user gave an example of how they had to temporarily maintain legacy systems to close pre-existing projects. The user advised businesses to plan implementations during slower business periods to mitigate such disruptions.

Another crucial factor is the role of the Value-Added Reseller (VAR) in the implementation process. Cohen and Scott underscored the importance of working with knowledgeable, responsive partners who understand industry-specific needs.

Boca Terry’s collaboration with ITEC and Carma’s strong relationship with Action (formerly Alliance Solution Group) were instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing support. According to Scott, “A well-chosen implementation partner can make the difference between a frustrating rollout and a successful digital transformation.”

Leveraging AI for Actionable Data

Acumatica revealed its AI-first strategy during the Acumatica Summit this year, showcasing innovations designed to empower SMBs. Under this strategy, the company has prioritized trust and security, with a focus on privacy-by-design principles. It uses native private large language models (LLMs) to ensure customer data remains isolated from public training models. Each AI implementation undergoes rigorous security assessments, giving businesses the confidence to adopt AI at their own pace.

These AI-driven features hold promise for streamlining workflows, automating routine tasks, and simplifying data retrieval.

Scott is enthusiastic about AI’s potential, particularly in data analytics and decision-

making. “Imagine a system where users can ask natural language questions like “Who are our top customers this quarter?” or “What’s our most profitable project?” and receive instant insights,” he said. “This level of AI integration could revolutionize ERP UX by making data analysis more intuitive and actionable.”

Looking ahead, the integration of AI and other emerging technologies will further refine the ERP user experience, making it more intelligent, intuitive, and impactful.

In conclusion, the message is clear for businesses navigating the complexities of digital transformation: a well-designed ERP isn’t just about functionality; it’s about empowering users to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

Planning, preparation, and employee buy-in are crucial. Companies that want a hassle-free ERP implementation must get their employees on board. It is necessary to create a dedicated implementation team and utilize training resources like Acumatica University to prepare for workshops to ensure everyone within the organization is on board with the change. Being prepared and fostering collaboration is critical for navigating the implementation process. During the Acumatica event, the panel also stressed the need to understand existing business processes before implementing a new system, advising organizations to take the time to get their business processes right during implementation, as it will pay off in the long run.

A flexible, customizable, and cloud-based ERP system offers significant advantages. Acumatica’s customizable user interface allows users to configure screens to their specific needs and roles. It also eases data access with features like the direct “Excel button.” Compared to disparate systems, the unified and cloud-based nature of ERP platforms like Acumatica provides immediate access to reports and streamlined processes, such as order management and shipping. A SaaS model and cloud-based architecture are beneficial, particularly for new businesses looking to minimize infrastructure costs and leverage remote work capabilities.

It is vital to select the right VAR and value their expertise and ongoing support. Implementation partners or VARs play a crucial role in the successful implementation of an ERP system. Users can rely on the partner’s expertise, especially when unaware of all the system’s capabilities. For example, Carma’s positive, relationship-based experience with their VAR underscores the importance of this partnership beyond just a transactional vendor relationship.

The post Navigating The Cloud: An SMB’s Perspective appeared first on ERP Today.

The days of being tied to outdated legacy systems are over and the landscape of ERP for SMEs in 2025 is dynamic, with a strong emphasis on cloud-first, AI-ready, and scalable solutions. If you’re wondering which ERP can help your organization scale while keeping operations smooth, read on.

What SMEs Need from an ERP in 2025

For SMEs eyeing growth and efficiency in 2025, their ERP system needs to be a true partner. Here’s what NTT DATA Business Solutions recommends as must-haves on your checklist:

• Quick to Go Live: In the fast-paced world of SMEs, you can’t afford to wait forever to see value. Look for solutions designed for rapid implementation, often featuring pre-configured options that get you up and running and realizing benefits sooner rather than later.
• Grows With You: Your ERP needs the flexibility to handle increasing transaction volumes, more users, and new business units as the organization expands, ensuring the system supports your growth every step of the way.
• Intelligent Insights on Demand: A modern ERP provides immediate access to critical data and incorporates embedded analytics and AI to help you understand current performance and anticipate future trends, empowering smarter, faster decisions.
• Clear Costs, No Surprises: The ideal ERP comes with straightforward, transparent pricing models that eliminate hidden fees and unexpected expenses, allowing you to manage your finances with confidence.
• Industry-Tailored Workflows: The best ERPs for SMEs often include built-in best practices specific to various industries, streamlining operations right out of the box and reducing the need for complex customization.

Top ERP Solutions for SMEs

Several leading ERP solutions are well-suited for the needs of growing businesses in 2025. While the specific “best” system depends on individual business requirements, examining popular options like GROW with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Oracle NetSuite provides valuable insight.

• GROW with SAP: Designed with high-growth SMEs in mind, GROW with SAP offers a comprehensive cloud ERP that emphasizes speed and simplicity. It includes preconfigured best-practice processes and embedded AI, aiming for faster time-to-value. Its subscription model provides transparent pricing, and its foundation is built for scalability. NTT DATA Business Solutions offers tailored solutions and expertise to help businesses confidently adopt GROW with SAP, providing accelerators and services for a smooth transition and ongoing support.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: A versatile option, Dynamics 365 Business Central provides a flexible, modular ERP solution that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products like Microsoft 365 and Power BI. This makes it a strong contender for businesses already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers broad functionality covering finance, operations, sales, and more, with flexible deployment options.
• Oracle NetSuite: A mature, cloud-native ERP, Oracle NetSuite is known for its strong financial management capabilities and scalability. It’s a unified platform covering various business functions and is well-suited for companies needing robust international functionality. Its comprehensive feature set and ability to handle complex financial processes make it a solid choice for finance-centric or rapidly scaling SMEs.

Finally, selecting and implementing an ERP system is a significant undertaking. With the right system and a knowledgeable partner, SMEs can confidently embrace the opportunities of 2025 and beyond, turning growth ambitions into concrete achievements.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

Mid-sized market trends point to cloud, speed, and intelligence. The shift to cloud ERP in the mid-sized market is undeniable, with reports showing significant adoption rates with over 80% of SMBs with less than $50 million in revenue using ERPs. Cloud adoption continues to rise, reaching around 78% of organizations in 2024. This move is driven by the need for agility and real-time data. Furthermore, AI is no longer just for large enterprises; a significant majority of small businesses have a positive outlook on AI and report increased productivity from its use.

Implementation matters. Choose expertise. Bringing a new ERP system online can feel daunting. Look for partners with proven methodologies that reduce risk and provide cost and time certainty. NTT DATA Business Solutions, for instance, emphasizes a fixed-time, fixed-cost approach for cloud ERP adoption and leverages methodologies like SAP Activate+ to ensure a smooth, predictable implementation process tailored to your industry.

Real-world success stories offer confidence. The best indicator of a partner’s capability is their track record. NTT DATA Business Solutions has helped diverse companies through various implementations that include complex SAP ECC separation, SAP migration post-acquisition, and SAP S/4HANA Cloud for performance. Through these the companies have achieved significant operational improvements and successful transformations.

The post Finding the Right ERP Systems for Small Businesses in 2025 appeared first on ERP Today.

Aligning Strategic Consulting with Microsoft’s Technology Stack 

The Microsoft Practice will combine IBM’s deep consulting expertise with Microsoft’s technology portfolio, including Copilot, Azure OpenAI, Azure Cloud, Microsoft Fabric, and Sentinel. The goal: provide business leaders with a unified approach to driving growth, reducing operational costs, and building long-term competitive advantage. 

“IBM Consulting is committed to our clients’ successes and we’re proud to offer them the opportunity of working with an ecosystem of global industry leaders with proven track records of innovation and delivery excellence,” said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting. “Establishing a dedicated Microsoft Practice is needed to drive meaningful business outcomes for our clients and I look forward to what we will be able to achieve together.” 

The practice will mobilize more than 33,000 Microsoft-certified professionals across IBM’s global footprint. This extensive network will support clients with supercharged innovation spanning cloud, AI, data, and cybersecurity, coupled with enterprise-grade security controls. It also marks the expansion of IBM and Microsoft Experience Zones, where clients can explore solutions hands-on, from initial strategy through to full-scale implementation and optimization. 

Driving Governed AI Adoption Through IBM Consulting Advantage 

A key innovation is the integration of Microsoft’s technology ecosystem into IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM’s proprietary AI-powered delivery platform. Through advanced Copilot integrations, clients can now deploy tailored AI solutions for diverse business needs while maintaining critical enterprise governance and security standards. 

“IBM’s launch of a Microsoft Practice is a pivotal step in our shared mission to empower customers through cloud and AI technologies,” said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer at Microsoft. “This collaboration unites experts to deliver tailored solutions that will drive innovation and operational excellence, to help businesses unlock new growth opportunities and accelerate business transformation.” 

The Microsoft Practice will also focus on building sector-specific solutions across industries such as retail, consumer packaged goods, government, financial services, and supply chain. It builds on joint successes like IBM Copilot Runway and IBM Consulting Azure OpenAI Services, which are already helping clients operationalize generative AI to unlock new business value and enhance operational efficiency. 

For example, the State of Arizona Department of Child Safety cited IBM Consulting’s support in deploying Microsoft generative AI solutions to streamline case management workflows. “The IBM team helped us implement key Microsoft generative AI solutions that have significantly improved the efficiency of caseworkers, enabling them to focus on what really matters—helping families,” said Frank Sweeney, Chief Information Officer of the department. 

To date, IBM has delivered over 14,000 Microsoft projects globally and offers more than 30 IBM Software products running natively on Microsoft Azure—giving clients seamless access to integrated automation and AI capabilities tailored to their specific needs. 

What this means for ERP Insiders 

Unifying AI and cloud expertise accelerates enterprise transformation. The creation of IBM’s Microsoft Practice reflects a growing demand for integrated AI and cloud services. According to IDC, global spending on AI-centric systems is expected to surpass $300 billion by 2026, while Gartner forecasts that 75% of enterprises will have adopted a digital transformation model built on cloud by 2027. Business leaders should assess how combining IBM’s consulting depth with Microsoft’s AI and cloud capabilities can help streamline transformation strategies and reduce time to value. 

Industry-specific solutions are key to scalable innovation. The new practice will deliver tailored offerings across sectors like government, retail, and financial services—industries where legacy systems and regulatory pressures often slow progress. Research from Accenture shows that 91% of executives believe industry-specific AI solutions will create competitive advantage in the next two years. Decision-makers should prioritize consulting partners who understand both the technological landscape and the nuances of their sector. 

Enterprise-ready AI integration improves operational efficiency. By embedding Microsoft Copilot and Azure OpenAI tools into IBM’s AI-powered delivery platform, the practice offers secure, governed AI deployments at scale. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could add up to $4.4 trillion in global productivity gains annually. Leaders should take advantage of pre-integrated, enterprise-grade platforms like IBM Consulting Advantage to safely accelerate AI adoption and drive efficiency gains across core business operations. 

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“We’re the most diverse renewable electricity generator in the UK and Ireland,” the EDF representative said. “And we’ve adopted IFS not just for today’s asset management—but to support our full lifecycle: from development to decommissioning.”

EDF Renewables went live with IFS Cloud just two years ago, adopting the cloud-native platform from the start. The decision was driven by an immediate need for robust asset operations functionality, but with a long-term view of platform-wide integration. Today, a third of the company’s 700+ employees use IFS daily.

What stood out during EDF’s presentation was less about flashy AI features, and more about strategic alignment. EDF emphasized how critical IFS’s culture and customer success model had been—pointing to the support received through success managers, industry user groups, and peer collaboration at global events like IFS Unleashed.

“We only know what we know,” the EDF leader noted, citing how IFS’s business value assessments helped the company revalidate implementation decisions and optimize for future scale. With plans to quintuple operations by 2035, EDF is actively reengineering workflows within IFS Cloud to ensure the platform can scale seamlessly alongside the business.

Though cautious about AI, EDF is positioning itself to take advantage of upcoming releases—starting with version 24R2. “We’re a risk-aware company,” they said. “But AI will be a game changer once we can align it with our roadmap and use cases.”

What this means for ERP Insiders

Integrate asset, capital PM and ESG management. Energy companies pursuing net zero mandates should assess whether their digital architecture is future-ready. Prioritize systems that integrate asset operations, capital project management, and ESG data in a single platform. EDF’s success shows the value of adopting IFS Cloud from the outset and leveraging the partner ecosystem, including business value assessments and advisory boards. Companies should establish a roadmap that includes version upgrades, workforce enablement, and eventual AI adoption—while resisting bolt-on sprawl. Treat ERP not as a back office enabler, but as a strategic foundation for grid modernization and renewable expansion.

IFS plays the industry-specific card again. IFS Cloud offers energy and utilities companies a unique advantage: industry-specific functionality across project-centric and asset-centric workflows, embedded in a composable, cloud-native architecture. The platform supports the full energy lifecycle—from development to decommissioning—and includes advanced planning, work order automation, ESG reporting, and grid asset visibility. EDF’s experience illustrates how IFS enables rapid operational maturity while preserving flexibility for growth. With embedded AI tools like Planning & Scheduling Optimization (PSO) and Emissions Management on the horizon, IFS is evolving from transactional ERP to an intelligent operations platform for clean energy producers.

Energy industry depth bodes well for IFS. As the global energy transition accelerates, the ERP market for utilities and renewables is projected to exceed $25 billion by 2030. Legacy ERP vendors often struggle with the agility and lifecycle-specific capabilities needed by new energy players. IFS’s sector focus, single data model, and embedded intelligence position it as a viable challenger to legacy providers like Oracle and SAP. With deep domain expertise, a growing footprint in the UK and EU, and expanding AI feature sets tailored to the field, IFS is well-positioned to become the platform of choice for renewable-first, digitally driven utilities over the next five years.

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“Our job is to help industrial companies bring AI out of the lab and into their supply chains, turbines, aircraft, and field teams,” said Moffat. “That’s the only AI that matters.”

The company’s renewed focus on agentic AI—self-directed systems that operate across workflows—is paired with a candid acknowledgment that not every use case will scale. But IFS is betting that many will. By threading bespoke customer challenges through a platform lens, the company intends to spin real-world solutions into its IFS Cloud product for repeatable enterprise value.

Where many vendors come at AI from the outside-in—building integrations or wrappers around legacy ERP—IFS is taking an inside-out approach. With a single data model and highly composable platform, IFS Cloud acts as both system of record and system of intelligence. That positioning is deliberate.

“We’re transacting the core: finance, supply chain, asset, people,” said Pedersen. “That gives us the context and the responsibility to orchestrate the broader enterprise AI ecosystem.”

This is especially important in IFS’s six target sectors—manufacturing, aerospace & defense, energy & utilities, construction & engineering, telecom, and service—where mission-critical systems cannot afford errors. IFS’s approach allows for embedded approvals, human-in-the-loop oversight, and open interoperability with third-party AI tools and standards.

IFS isn’t short on ambition. Following a recapitalization that valued the business at €15 billion, the company is targeting $27 billion in enterprise value by 2027. It currently schedules over 400,000 service technicians daily with its AI-driven PSO engine, and AI accounts for 14% of total company revenue—a rare level of monetized maturity.

“We’re growing 20% organically, with win rates over 55% against SAP, Oracle, and IBM,” Moffat said. “And we’re not the cheapest—we just deliver faster.”

Yet, the leadership also stressed patience and partnership. They recognize that industrial AI cannot be commoditized overnight, nor should it be rushed. The goal is to offer practical tools—like AI-based supplier change notifications and logbook automation in aviation—that evolve with real-world constraints, not against them.

What this means for ERP Insiders

If you’re in an asset-intensive industry, lean in. For organizations in asset- and field-intensive sectors, the path forward is clear: start embedding AI now, but do it inside core processes, not as side experiments. Focus on high-friction pain points—scheduling, asset downtime, procurement—and bring those into the Nexus Black framework if your organization is IFS-aligned. Design for scale from day one. Use IFS’s extensibility framework to futureproof any custom work, and treat data ownership and governance as central design principles, not afterthoughts.

Look for architectural and operational advantages from IFS. IFS’s differentiators are more than architecture—they are operational. Its single data model, composability, and embedded AI make it one of the few ERP platforms where agents can act autonomously with full business context. PSO, Nexus Black, and IFS.ai are fully integrated—not layered—and now available in both IFS Industrial Cloud and customer-controlled environments. The extensibility framework allows domain-specific innovations to be maintained outside the core without breaking updates, enabling innovation with continuity.

Sound fundamentals and relentless focus spur IFS growth path. IFS’s inside-out AI model, speed-to-value execution, and sector-specific focus set it apart from horizontal ERP giants and AI-only vendors alike. The industrial ERP market is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, and IFS is uniquely positioned with both product-market fit and a go-to-market model grounded in customer intimacy. If it maintains its 20%+ growth rate, delivers on Nexus Black’s productization promises, and expands its ecosystem, IFS could credibly claim leadership in industrial enterprise software by the end of the decade—especially as vertical depth trumps breadth in the AI era.

The post IFS CEO and CPO Offer Candid Views on Industrial AI and Speed-to-Value as the Differentiator in Enterprise Tech appeared first on ERP Today.