The rapid emergence of anything as a service (XaaS) is creating an entirely different economy where products and cloud-based services are delivered in a continuous relationship with the customer rather than as a series of individual transactions. In this brave new world, consumer relations are everything.
Author: cvjepsen
Claus Jepsen is a technology expert who has been fascinated by the micro-computer revolution ever since he received a Tandy TRS model 1 at the age of 14. Since then, Claus has spent the last few decades developing and architecting software solutions, most recently at Unit4, where he is the Deputy CTO/Chief Architect leading the ERP vendor’s focus on enabling the post-modern enterprise.
At Unit4, Claus is building cloud-based, super-scalable solutions and bringing innovative technologies such as AI, chatbots, and predictive analytics to ERP. Claus is a strong believer that having access to vast amounts of data allows us to construct better, non-invasive and pervasive solutions to improve our experiences, relieve us from tedious chores, and allow us to focus on what we as individuals really love doing.
Unit4 2019 Predictions: The Year Ahead for the ERP Market
As we transition from one year to another, it is customary to look back on the past year and begin to consider what might unfold in the year ahead. We are in a period of massive technology-driven disruption in the ERP market and this past year will undoubtedly be remembered as the year of artificial intelligence and chatbots. However, when it comes to developing technologies that truly change the way organizations operate, the hype of the simplistic call-and-response chatbots we saw this year will likely be just a small blip on a much longer journey towards true AI. Here are some thoughts from Unit4 on what the ERP market can expect in 2019.
Enabling The Enterprise Shift To Microservices
The next time you’re about to binge a season of your favorite Netflix show, consider the complex interactions taking place behind the scenes to make this possible. From negotiating with production companies and internet providers to orchestrating network traffic and predictive analytics algorithms, what Netflix has achieved is rather astounding. In just a few seconds, your show is streaming seamlessly. And this experience isn’t unique. Every day, 100 million Netflix subscribers have the same (nearly) faultless experience as they stream an average of 140 million hours of content.
Technology Predictions: What Will 2019 Have in Store?
At the end of every year, I take a few minutes to think back on the most disruptive technologies of the previous year and consider what tomorrow might have in store. This past year will undoubtedly be remembered as the year of Artificial Intelligence and chatbots. However, when it comes to developing technologies that truly change the way organizations operate, the hype of the simplistic call-and-response chatbots we saw this year will likely be just a small blip on a much longer journey towards true AI. As we approach 2019, I believe that technologies that will truly impact business operations and ROI may not garner as much hype but will bring greater change. This includes trends such as digital transformation, Deep Learning, and low-code/no-applications.
How to avoid ERP lock-in and seize the service imperative
The future is XaaS – Everything-as-a-Service. While XaaS stems from cloud computing, it has quickly evolved to something that embraces anything that can be delivered via the Internet that used to be delivered only physically. The benefits include lower costs, massive scalability and flexibility, low maintenance overheads, and simple access to new technologies. This means organizations can focus on their core business and value – and most importantly, serving customers well.
Multi-Tenancy Still Doesn’t Matter
Three years ago, I wrote a blog entitled, “Does multi-tenancy really matter anymore?” As three years have passed and the conversation is still being had by some in the industry, it seemed like a good time to revisit the topic and share my thoughts on why multi-tenancy still doesn’t matter.
Definitions
I would like to start by defining some terms, abbreviations, and acronyms that I refer to in this post. The purpose of the definition section is purely to help the reader’s understanding, and not to appear patronizing. I apologize upfront if it is interpreted as such
ERP Has Reinvented Itself Again, And This Time It’s Going Designer
As early as the ’90s, businesses and analysts alike have foretold the death of the ERP system. Over 20 years later, however, ERP is still alive and well. Globalization, digitalization, the internet and a whole host of other technologies have made it virtually impossible for businesses to move away from ERP. There’s simply too much critical data housed in the underlying databases for elimination to ever be a viable option.
