Just a few days ago, IFS organised the big launch of IFS Cloud 2021R1. At this event, the new possibilities it brings were presented, but what impact will it have on the use of IFS Applications as we know it today?
For most organisations today, there is a strong focus on creating a digital transformation that can improve the experience for their customers. Digital transformation requires the exploration of new opportunities, where technologies such as Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Business Intelligence (BI) and IoT are all opportunities that can help drive digital transformation. IFS Cloud 2021R1 is geared for this future.
IFS Cloud 2021R1 is a new technology platform that brings IFS products together in one solution. This means that Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Field Service Management (FSM), and Planning and Scheduling (PSO) will use the same technical platform going forward. This provides a number of advantages, where the focus is on functionality and not technology.
One of the big changes will be that the new technology platform means we have to learn a new web-based user interface (Aurena) and say goodbye to the Windows-based Enterprise Explorer. All customers currently running Applications 10 will already be familiar with it, as it has already been rolled out as part of this version.
Despite the name, IFS Applications is still available as a traditional ’on premise’ solution, hosted by a third party or as a Curit Managed Cloud solution. So there's no change here, either for existing customers who want to upgrade or for new customers who join. You don't have to worry about being locked into a given platform either, as it is possible to switch one way or the other later.
What does Curit recommend?
At Curit, we applaud IFS’ work in daring to take leaps of faith with technology and ensure that IFS Cloud 2021R1 is at the forefront, including the switch to the latest and best technologies for the user interface, for example. However, we also recognise that for many of our customers there will be a lot of work involved in training employees in a new user interface and that the change management involved should not be neglected. For those customers where this is possible, we therefore recommend a good middle ground to IFS Cloud 2021R1, which is found by upgrading to IFS Applications 10. This gives you as a company a good springboard to be able to deploy the next user interface as the organisation is ready. When the entire transition is complete, an upgrade to IFS Cloud 2021R1 will be of a less technical nature and you will therefore be well prepared for the IFS of the future.
Image source: www.community.ifs.com