As businesses prepare for 2025, Cloud ERP systems are enabling organisations to achieve more than ever before. Finance leaders are clear on their priorities: they need systems that improve efficiency, enable agility, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Here’s a look at the key trends shaping ERP adoption and how they align with business priorities—supported by insights from industry analysts.

Finance leaders are demanding ERP systems that automate more processes across finance, operations, and supply chain—reducing manual workloads and shifting focus to strategic decision-making.

According to Gartner, by 2026, 90% of finance teams will use AI-driven automation to reduce repetitive tasks, enabling them to close the books 50% faster than today.

The most immediate benefits?

• Automation of financial close and reconciliation reduces errors and saves days of effort.
• Intelligent workflows streamline procurement approvals and cash flow management.
• Teams have more time to analyse results and act on insights, rather than chasing data.

Organisations that automate effectively report operational cost reductions of up to 30% while improving decision-making speed.

The days of waiting for month-end reports are over. ERP systems are now embedding real-time insights directly into day-to-day processes, enabling leaders to make faster, more informed decisions.

For example:

Predictive analytics enhance inventory planning, avoiding overstock and reducing holding costs by as much as 20%.

• Embedded dashboards deliver live financial metrics, helping CFOs act quickly to manage risk and optimise working capital.

IDC estimates that organisations leveraging real-time analytics in ERP will see 25% faster decision cycles compared to those relying on traditional reporting.

By integrating actionable insights within processes, ERP systems are becoming proactive tools for performance improvement.

Businesses are increasingly adopting industry-specific, pre-configured ERP solutions that provide proven best practices tailored to their sector.

SAP research highlights that pre-configured industry templates can reduce implementation timelines by up to 30%, cutting both costs and risk.

For example:

• Manufacturers benefit from pre-built processes for production planning and resource optimisation.
• Wholesale distributors leverage ready-to-use tools for order fulfillment and inventory visibility.

This approach ensures ERP systems deliver value faster, enabling organisations to focus on growth and innovation instead of lengthy customisations that require ongoing cost to support.

Growth requires agility. Organisations are moving to modular ERP systems that allow them to scale seamlessly without disrupting core operations.

According to McKinsey, businesses adopting a clean, modular ERP architecture achieve a 15-20% reduction in IT costs and faster access to new innovations.

Key enablers include:

• Side-by-side extensibility, where new tools and apps integrate seamlessly without altering the ERP core.
• The ability to scale operations—whether through acquisitions, new markets, or expanded product lines—without costly downtime or reconfigurations.

Modular ERP ensures businesses remain flexible, ready to innovate and adapt to market changes.

Sustainability is no longer an afterthought—it’s a business imperative, and ERP systems are now central to enabling it.

A recent KPMG report found that 65% of CFOs see ESG reporting as a top priority, driven by investor and regulatory expectations. Cloud ERP systems now integrate sustainability metrics and reporting directly into operations to:

• Track carbon emissions and resource usage across supply chains.
• Measure progress on sustainability goals alongside financial performance.
• Simplify ESG compliance reporting, reducing administrative overhead.

By embedding sustainability into ERP processes, businesses align operational success with long-term environmental and social responsibility, improving both reputation and resilience.

As we enter 2025, finance and operations leaders are prioritising ERP systems that deliver:

1. Automation to improve efficiency and free up strategic focus.
2. Real-time insights to enable faster, data-driven decisions.
3. Industry-specific best-practice content for rapid implementation and ROI.
4. Scalability and flexibility to adapt and grow with agility.
5. Sustainability integration to align business performance with ESG goals.

At TFC, we work with mid-sized organisations to help them realise the full potential of Cloud ERP, enabling smarter operations, faster decisions, and measurable outcomes.