ERP Features: Save Money & energy. Last time, we talked about how enterprise resource planning (ERP) suites are overflowing with features, but vendors must show real foresight to provide ERP features that are more than bells and whistles, more than mere novelty to drive the sales of updates. What we need are ERP vendors who can see economic trends and provide the tools needed to maximize profit during a given phase in the industry. Difficult, yes, but forward thinking always is. One area that begs for such thinking and innovation is energy-consumption modules, particularly as efficiency contributes to profits and energy costs are on the rise.
ERP FEATURES: EFFICIENCY = MONEY
One prophetic ERP feature/module could very well be a system that receives, monitors, and analyzes fuel efficiency and consumption data from individual vehicles in a company’s fleet. Whether it be a fleet of tractor trailers or a fleet of company sedans, as pressure on petroleum producers rise so do the costs of reaching those fossil fuels. Having a sharper image of how and where a fleet of vehicles is aging or where it is in need of maintenance can predict and stop expensive problems to keep a fleet mean and lean.
Another ERP feature that cries out for our greener future would monitor energy production from a company’s own resources. As the cost of wind and solar power generation drops, the likelihood that company’s will invest in these technologies to offset their own power bills rises dramatically. Given the sheer roof square footage of some plants, solar seems particularly attractive depending on a plant’s geographic location. Other technologies, such as producing electricity from the sun-scorched asphalt, are also good fits for most industries with even modest parking lots. ERP modules will be needed to monitor these assets and their power production.
The future of the planet and your business depends on cheap, clean power and its wise, efficient usage. Much of the animosity between environmentalists and business is fading away as industry realizes that clean energy was always in our future. As China’s growing pollution problem and resulting genetic damage clearly shows, clean energy can even make for a healthier work force. Regardless of your goals, global altruism or global competition, smart energy modules will make for smart business and ERP and EMS vendors better pay attention.