A study conducted by Forterro among 200 French industrial companies reveals a mixed picture of digitalization in the industry. While the adoption of ERP systems is progressing, the migration to the Cloud is still hindered by internal resistance and regulatory concerns.
Digitalization and ERP Adoption: An Inevitable Trend
The digitalization of French industrial companies is in full expansion. A recent survey conducted in June 2024 among 200 French industrial companies by Forterro reveals interesting trends regarding the adoption of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. Although companies show a growing interest in digitalization, they continue to face significant obstacles. The results of the study show that 65% of the surveyed companies have implemented an ERP in the last six years. However, this adoption remains heterogeneous, especially depending on the size of the company.
The survey highlights the most cited benefits of ERP systems. At the top of the list, 39% of the surveyed companies acknowledge an improvement in management and planning. Increased efficiency follows closely behind, with 38%. These two aspects are perceived as major levers to enhance competitiveness. Other benefits such as process optimization (35%) and cost reduction (34%) are also widely mentioned. For small businesses, the main interest in ERP lies in improving efficiency. Medium-sized companies, on the other hand, focus on supply chain management. “The ERP allows us to better organize our internal processes while helping us reduce costs,” testifies a participating company.
Cloud Adoption and Resistance to Change
Despite the obvious benefits, Cloud adoption remains a delicate step for many companies. Indeed, 60% of the ERP systems used by French industrial companies are still installed on-site. Only 28.5% have migrated to the Cloud. This figure shows a reluctance to take the plunge, hindered by concerns related to regulations and data security.
“The Cloud represents an opportunity, but regulatory compliance and internal resistance slow down our adoption,” states one of the respondents. However, the study shows that this trend could evolve rapidly. A projection indicates that 38% of companies plan to migrate to the Cloud in the coming months. Small businesses are the most likely to make this choice, particularly due to the lack of internal resources to manage an on-site ERP.
The digitalization of French industrial companies is accompanied by technological challenges. The study reveals that among the priorities of companies for the next 18 months, the use of internal data (43%) and artificial intelligence (42%) are at the top. These priorities underscore the importance of leveraging data to improve decision-making processes and optimize the competitiveness of companies in constantly evolving markets.
Article based on a press release received by the editorial team.
