Enterprise Connected

In an enterprise setting, having direct connected systems and data means that various components within the organization's infrastructure are interconnected, allowing for seamless communication and data sharing between different systems and departments.

Types are CRM-ERP, ERP-MES and ERP-WMS. This interconnectedness enhances efficiency, productivity, and decision-making capabilities. Let's break down how this works and contrast it with disconnected systems.

Connected Systems

Data Integration: Connected systems allow for the integration of data from different sources across the enterprise. For example, sales data from a customer relationship management (CRM) system can be integrated with inventory data from an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to provide insights into customer demand and inventory levels.
Real-time Communication: Directly connected systems enable real-time communication between various departments and stakeholders. This means that updates or changes in one system can be instantly reflected in another, leading to faster decision-making and response times.
Streamlined Processes: With connected systems, processes can be streamlined by automating data flows and eliminating manual data entry tasks. For instance, when a sales order is placed in the CRM system, it can automatically trigger the creation of a corresponding order in the ERP system, reducing the chances of errors and delays.
Enhanced Analytics: By connecting data from different systems, enterprises can gain deeper insights through advanced analytics and reporting. This allows for better understanding of business performance, customer behavior, and market trends.

Unconnected Systems

Data Silos: Unconnected systems often lead to data silos, where information is isolated within specific departments or systems and not easily accessible to others. This can hinder collaboration and decision-making, as stakeholders may lack a comprehensive view of the organization's data.
Manual Processes: Without integration, data transfer and communication between systems may rely heavily on manual processes, such as exporting and importing data files or re-entering information into multiple systems. This not only consumes time and resources but also increases the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
Limited Insights: Unconnected systems may result in limited insights due to fragmented data. Without the ability to consolidate data from various sources, enterprises may struggle to derive meaningful insights and may miss out on opportunities for optimization and innovation.
Inefficiencies: Overall, unconnected systems can lead to inefficiencies in operations, as workflows are often disjointed and require unnecessary manual effort to bridge the gaps between systems.

Types of Systems

Connected Systems

CRM
ERP
MES
Marketing Automation Platforms
E-commerce Platforms
Customer Support Systems
Supply Chain Management (SCM) Systems
HR Management Systems
Partner Portals (many)
Shipping
Tax

Unconnected Systems

Custom-built Applications: Custom solutions in areas like manufacturing address specific process needs not adequately supported by existing systems, enhancing operational efficiency and workflow management.
Running multiple instances of software (e.g., two ERPs).

The Importance of Analytics

Connected Systems

Automation: Transactional processes are automated.
Analytics: Analytics are still needed to extract insights from the connected systems, but the focus might be more on operational analytics rather than process analytics.
Description: In connected systems, such as the CRM sending quotations directly to ERP, there's automation in place for transactional processes. However, integration is still necessary for comprehensive reporting and analysis purposes.

Unconnected Systems

Automation: No transactions are automated across systems.
Analytics: Analytics are crucial for understanding processes across these unconnected systems.
Description: In unconnected systems, where there's no direct flow of transactions between systems, analytics play a vital role in understanding and optimizing processes. Integration efforts would focus on data integration for analytics purposes rather than transactional automation.

In summary, connected and unconnected systems have different efforts for analytics. In connected systems, integration is primarily for reporting purposes, while in unconnected systems, it's for process understanding and optimization.

Enterprise. Orchestrated.

Process

Enterprise Operating System (EOS)

Analytics

Data Management

Data Science

Clouds