This post was updated to reflect current trends and information.
The trends below are not new or unheard of, but they are gaining in popularity. While some are even becoming ‘must-haves to optimize the supply chain, warehousing management or other business flow. The 5 trends below are exactly what you need in 2023.
1. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Integration
EDI Communication is gaining in popularity. Many companies are being forced to use EDI to do business with retailers and suppliers. The longer they wait, the more difficult it will be for companies to endure without any formal processes, such as EDI. It’s not just about staying compliant with your suppliers; EDI can do miracles for companies:
– improving shipment accuracy
– accelerating the movement of goods to customers
– improving partner relationships
– improving document accuracy (reduction of manual data entry)
– enhancing the flow of communication between a company and their trading partners
Useful reading: Fully managed EDI service VS HTTP Web Service: Which is Better for Your Business?
2. Efficient Enterprise Management
Every company nowadays is on the lookout for ways to increase collaboration internally (between departments/employees). One great way to do this is by embracing full integration of all management systems (or simply implement an upgraded ERP management suite). All departments and employees will have access to one database; they’ll be working with the same real-time data and can communicate and collaborate easily.
Learn more about Enterprise Management here: ErpWizard Suite – the best business management software solution.
3. Systems Integration
For the effective functioning of the enterprise, it is necessary that all applications and systems such as ERP, CRM, Warehouse Management, EDI, etc. be combined into one common structure. This process is called business systems integration. The goals of integration are to improve the quality and speed of work. Lack of interaction between different systems can lead to non-compliance with deadlines and the payment of fines. This can happen even though each of the enterprise’s business systems individually can perform its functions perfectly.
To learn more about integration read this article: Magic xpi Integration Platform: The Best Fit for Enterprise Data Integration
4. Managed cloud services and hosting
Managed cloud services mean outsourcing daily IT management and technical support to Cloud managed Services Provider to effectively monitor and maintain a cloud environment to improve the efficiency of business operations.
Cloud deployment options have allowed smaller companies the opportunity to implement management systems due to their affordable costs. However, this isn’t the only reason why the cloud is popular. This option also allows businesses to reduce responsibilities, risks, infrastructure requirements, additional labor, etc.
Looking to outsource IT infrastructure along with its support to a Service Provider? Request Managed Cloud Services Price here
5. Business Intelligence
No one can get enough of Business Intelligence solutions. These analytics tools allow managers to turn raw business data into useful, strategic information and insight. Companies will be able to improve planning, replenishment, optimize inventory and floor space utilization. It’s about getting the real data for the right people to create balanced supply chains.
We’ve compiled a list of our most read and shared blog posts in 2015. These posts cover tons of different topics ranging from EDI communication to Productivity Apps to ERP Implementations to IT Business Tools.
Companies are relying more and more on technologies and for good reason. The power of software automation and integration can enhance a company’s overall efficiency and improve B2B and B2C relationships. One such example comes with the integration of EDI and eCommerce 
It’s always difficult to know what your business needs in terms of IT software without having seen or tested other systems. On top of this, we are all creatures of habit; once we get used to working a certain way, we do not question it, as it becomes second nature. However, this can be detrimental to a business. Only once a company begins to experience growth, expansion or a rapid sales increase, do they realize there is too much inefficiency that can prevent them from growing. More often than not, it is those companies that have not upgraded or changed their legacy system in years, or have no system at all, that will be affected the most. 
One of the goals of business executives is to increase efficiency while keeping costs low. Of course this can be difficult without the proper tools in place, which many businesses in Canada still do not have. Fortunately, it seems that in the last decade more and more companies have been leveraging IT but this growth is still not what it should be.
