October 30, 2018
Millennials have poured into the workforce at high rates in recent years, and they are now gaining influence and authority as they rise through the ranks and replace older generations heading into retirement. This younger, skilled and educated workforce is highly desirable to manufacturers as the industry seeks to modernize and embrace digital transformation.
Millennial workers are comfortable with technology and expect the companies they work for to also be technologically adept as well. If you’re not, they may not be attracted to your organization or may leave for a job that’s more technologically developed.
So, how can manufacturers attract and keep top Millennial talent? How can they prepare for the next wave of even more tech-savvy workers? Your ERP plays a surprisingly large role in this quest. Let’s explore ERP and the Millennial workforce.
ERP & the Millennial Workforce
WIPFLi CPAs and Consultants have compiled a few reasons why and how Millennials are influencing the need for implementation of ERP solutions.
Accessibility
Anytime, anywhere, any device data accessibility is a non-negotiable for Millennials. They not only want mobile access, they want connectivity through their personal devices. The blurred line between equipment for personal use and equipment for business use is blurring, causing a substantial uptick in “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policies among manufacturers. In fact, the market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that 63 percent of manufacturing companies permit BYOD. When this fact is coupled with the reported 98 percent of manufacturers that have or plan to implement mobility solutions like ERP, the why and how of technological evolution is evident.
Minimal Training
Millennials routinely engage with nearly defect-free interfaces in social media, and won’t settle for unduly burdensome applications in the workplace. An ERP offers a solution that is largely intuitive and minimizes required training that runs counter to the “right out of the box” usability expectation. Plus, an ERP solution prioritizes processes in a way that supports multitasking—a mainstay for the multi-screen generation.
Visual User Interface
Dashboards, graphics, and other “smart” departures from the traditional report format are the tools of choice for Millennials. An ERP system delivers analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs) in at-a-glance ways that promote prompt data investigation and issue resolution that might otherwise hinder progress on the shop floor.
Simplified Search and Collaboration
“Google it” is a knee-jerk reaction to finding answers, and that level of searchability ease for critical information across a manufacturing operation is essential. ERP solutions incorporate social networking and business intelligence features that allow for instantaneous data retrieval, communications, and real time collaboration that align with how Millennials share information and problem-solve.
The Increasing Impact of Millennials in Manufacturing
Millennials have a increasing impact on how business is carried out these days. Their growing influence is pushing the manufacturing industry forward by providing the necessary skills and reason to implement more technologically advanced processes and solutions like ERP, Big Data, Internet of Things, AI, enterprise cloud, robotics, machine learning, and automation. Companies that recognize this shift and embrace technology throughout the enterprise stand to achieve the greatest success.
Ready to start your digital transformation with Infor® solutions? Guide Technologies is an award-winning Infor Gold Channel Partner with over 20 years of experience helping manufacturers find, implement, and optimize software solutions to grow and improve their business. We’ll help you get there.