In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, many graphics companies are in the process of preparing for the migration of their MIS, ERP, or other print management software solutions to the cloud. Forward-thinking organizations are embracing this transition due to the numerous advantages they see in terms of functionality, availability, flexibility, and innovation.
While some companies are proactively moving to the cloud to capitalize on these benefits, others feel more compelled to take action due to limitations in availability, support, and expected innovation from their current on-premises software vendors. For most companies still using on-prem software, a primary challenge lies in effectively streamlining their customizations.
Configurations and Compatibility
In traditional ERP implementations, it was common to create customized functionality tailored specifically to an individual organization. Our original Danish Navision Software even advertised with the slogan “Navision works exactly the way you work.” As a result, many customers invested in customizations, to secure and strengthen their competitive advantages or to avoid necessary organizational changes. However, this approach could lead to inflexibilities, upgrade complexities, and outdated versions, leaving a business struggling to keep pace.
A Whole New World
Fast forward to 2023, and the internet has made the business world highly transparent. Current and future customers now expect maximum speed, adaptability, and continuous innovation. As a result, many print companies feel obliged to align themselves more closely with standardized solutions. Additionally, the cloud concept is fundamentally based on sharing IT assets among organizations.
If you’re looking to streamline your old customizations, consider the following steps:
Find the overlaps: Over the years, the standard functionality of MIS/ERP systems has grown significantly. Many functions that were once missing are now part of the standard solution. Identify areas where your customizations might now overlap with the existing standard features.
Check the business need: Reflect on the reasons behind your existing customizations. Some may have been implemented based on outdated best practices, rules, or legislation. Evaluate whether these customizations are still relevant and necessary in today’s context.
Address old habits: It’s not uncommon for colleagues to have requested customizations simply because they were possible or they were accustomed to working in a specific way and were resistant to change. Consider whether these colleagues are even still part of your organization and assess the continued relevance of these preferences in your decision-making process.
Industry requirements: Over the years, many implementation partners have developed well-tested, documented, and supported add-on solutions or extensions that address specific industry requirements. Explore these standardized solutions as alternatives to your customizations.
Ongoing maintenance and updates for old customizations can add to your long-term costs, as they may need to be reworked or reimplemented with each major software update.
It’s important to recognize that carrying over old customizations into the new cloud era can be both risky and costly. PrintVis and our network of certified partners are here to support you through every step of this process. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation and develop a plan.
Remember, relying on yesterday’s processes and customizations could hinder your ability to succeed in today’s business landscape. Embracing the cloud and aligning with standardized solutions are essential for staying competitive and ensuring long-term success in the ever-evolving print and graphics industry.
Did You Know?
Did you know we host a weekly, live online demo? Each session demonstrates a basic workflow for a common, printed product, from estimate to invoice. We keep it simple and brief (approx. 30 – 45 minutes per demo), so that you can get a general idea of the look and feel of PrintVis and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Go here to register for the next Thursday session (10:30 a.m. EST).
