Chris Vavra, Author at ERP Today

Chris Vavra

Senior Editor, ERP Today

219 Articles Published

Q&A: From System of Record to System of Proof in Pharma

Steve Madsen developed RxERP in response to the overwhelming challenges of managing compliance and data fragmentation in pharmaceutical distribution, aiming to unify systems for real-time, trusted traceability and regulatory compliance, which also could influence other safety-critical industries.

Cloud Platform and Technology

Automation, Cloud Redrawing ERP Market Boundaries

Enterprise resource planning is evolving into an intelligent, automated framework driven by cloud technology and AI, with projected software revenue reaching $157 billion by 2033, emphasizing the critical role of ERP in automating workflows and enhancing organizational responsiveness to disruptions.

Analytics and AI

Denso Backs Oracle to Rewire Global Supply Chain

Denso is standardizing on Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications for its global supply chain operations to create an AI-driven core system, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency amidst growing complexities in the automotive industry.

Application Development and Integration

Wipro’s Alpha Net Deal Targets AI Application Services

Wipro's acquisition of select customer contracts and teams from Alpha Net Consulting for up to $70.8 million emphasizes a shift towards providers integrating enterprise software development, data engineering and AI capabilities.

Human Capital Management

ZenaTech Targets HR SaaS In Public Sector Push

ZenaTech's acquisition of NOW Solutions, a veteran HR and payroll software provider for public sector organizations, enhances its SaaS capabilities and signifies a move towards integrated, AI-driven solutions in HR modernization.

ERP Strategy and Planning

How AI Agents Are Reshaping ERP in the “SaaSpocalypse” Era

The “SaaSpocalypse” makes for a dramatic storyline, but it flattens critical distinctions in how AI agents interact with enterprise software layers. Lightweight, UI-heavy workflow tools are clearly exposed, yet systems of record that own deep data, compliance and audit trails...

Human Capital Management

AppDirect’s PartnerStack Deal Rewrites B2B Commerce Playbook

AppDirect's acquisition of PartnerStack aims to create a unified platform for managing marketplaces, partner programs and subscription commerce, streamlining operations for technology and finance teams while enhancing access to a vast network of partners and resources.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

Copado Agentia Pushes Salesforce DevOps Toward AgentOps Reality

Copado's new Agentia platform integrates context-aware AI agents into the Salesforce DevOps lifecycle, transforming the role of technology executives and ERP teams by enabling automated planning, coding, testing and release processes within governed frameworks.

ERP Strategy and Planning

ERP Market Acceleration Puts Pressure On Modernization Plans

The ERP software market is poised for significant growth, expected to exceed $280 billion by 2034 due to rising demand for integrated systems, a shift towards cloud-based models and the need for enhanced operational efficiency.

abstract image | PwC and Darwinbox Inetum

Application Development and Integration

Crawford Connect Highlighting ERP’s Noisiest Supply Chain Gaps at Epicor Insights

Crawford Connect is a portal-driven platform designed to enhance collaboration among manufacturers, distributors and their suppliers and customers by streamlining processes.

ERP Strategy and Planning

Bluerock TMS Targets Last Mile’s Costliest Blind Spots

Bluerock TMS is launching a cloud-native Last Mile Distribution solution that integrates the entire delivery lifecycle, leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs, while providing vital data for ERP systems, as showcased at Modex 2026.

Analytics and AI

SaaS Growth Wave Forcing New ERP Approaches

The SaaS market is rapidly expanding, projected to reach $1.58 trillion by 2033, prompting CIOs and ERP leaders to rethink system integration, security, and governance as small and midsize enterprises increasingly adopt cloud software while managing multi-region portfolios and addressing challenges like data security and vendor lock-in.

Cloud Platform and Technology

Hoshizaki Bets On IFS Cloud For Future AI Manufacturing Modernization

Hoshizaki is transitioning from customized legacy ERP systems to the standardized IFS Cloud platform to enhance manufacturing efficiency, support Industrial AI applications, and streamline operations across its production sites.

Application Development and Integration

RxERP Hub Targets Pharma’s Serialization Blind Spots

RxERP has launched its upgraded Hub, transforming its serialized platform into a comprehensive infrastructure for the pharmaceutical supply chain, enhancing compliance management through unit-level audit capabilities and standardized logging, fostering greater operational confidence and efficiency.

Manufacturing Systems and Automation

How Embedded MOM Closes the ERP Visibility Gap

Syspro's Manufacturing Operations Management solution integrates seamlessly with ERP to enhance shop floor visibility and performance through real-time data collection, scheduling, and analytics, addressing the inefficiencies traditional ERPs face in mid-market manufacturing.

Supply Chain Management

Oracle Fusion Agentic Apps Target Everyday Enterprise Friction

Oracle's new Fusion Agentic Applications aim to enhance ERP efficiency by utilizing AI-driven agents to automate processes across finance, HR, supply chain and customer experience, promoting real-time decision-making and reducing manual tasks.

Supply Chain Management

Dynamics 365 Wave 1 Puts Agentic AI at the Heart of ERP

Microsoft's Dynamics 365 2026 release wave 1 transforms Copilot from a productivity tool into an autonomous, integrated operating layer across various enterprise functions, emphasizing proactive AI-driven workflows and low-code agent design to enhance operational efficiency and reshape ERP implementation.

Digital image of computer functions over person typing at a laptop.

Human Capital Management

How AI Is Forcing ERP Vendors to Rethink the Human Side of Transformation

Research indicates that 88% of chief human resource officers believe AI accelerates the readiness of early-career talent, placing pressure on ERP vendors to enhance their platforms for intuitive AI experiences, while also emphasizing the need for clear governance to mitigate risks.

Cloud Platform and Technology

ERP Today Interview: Rick Rider

Rick Rider, SVP of product management at Infor, discusses the transformative impact of autonomous AI on ERP systems, viewing it as a beneficial evolution rather than a crisis, while emphasizing the importance of robust underlying systems and exploring the variations in U.S. and European approaches to AI.

Supply Chain Management

Designing Supply Chains for Measurable ROI, Improved Automation

Many warehouses struggle with automation due to a lack of strategic alignment and defined success metrics, leading to ineffective technology investments over outdated processes, which can be mitigated by establishing clear KPIs, conducting business case assessments and ensuring data integrity.

Application Development and Integration

Application-as-a-Service Pushing ERP Toward Composable Stacks

The Application as a Service model is increasingly adopted by businesses seeking flexibility over monolithic systems, prompting CIOs to adapt their purchasing, integration, and governance strategies for a diverse array of specialized applications across various sectors, while also addressing challenges related to vendor management and ensuring data consistency.

ERP Strategy and Planning

Navigating ERP Migrations Without the Usual Pitfalls

Aptean highlights that successful ERP migrations depend more on data readiness, process simplification, and user preparedness than on software itself, advocating for disciplined data strategies and industry-specific best practices to minimize risks and complexities.

Financial Management

AI-Powered Finance at Accenture Sets ERP Benchmark

Accenture's finance transformation using SAP Business AI demonstrates how embedded generative AI can unlock significant cash flow and efficiency improvements for ERP organizations, providing a clear roadmap for AI-driven finance strategies amidst evolving challenges.

Analytics and AI

Kyndryl Betting Big On Agentic Service Operations

Kyndryl's Agentic Service Management framework transforms IT operations into secure, autonomous workflows, offering CIOs a structured path to scale AI-native service management while embedding governance and security protocols essential for enterprise environments.

Analytics and AI

IFS Rewrites Industrial AI Pricing Around Assets

IFS is revolutionizing Industrial AI adoption by shifting pricing from named users to the operational assets managed by customers, aiming to simplify funding and scalability for CIOs and COOs while encouraging broader deployment across industries.

Analytics and AI

Syspro Names Leanne Taylor CEO as Part of Leadership Succession Plan

Syspro has appointed Leanne Taylor as CEO, succeeding Jaco Maritz, to spearhead the company's next phase of growth driven by AI and operational intelligence in ERP, reflecting a strategic alignment with its new ownership under Advent.

Analytics and AI

Oracle AI Financials Rewire Federal ERP Playbooks

Oracle is advancing in the federal market with its AI-powered Federal Financials, now listed in the U.S. Treasury’s FM QSMO Marketplace, which facilitates the transition from legacy systems to a modernized, integrated ERP platform for public finance teams.

Quality and Testing

‘The “SaaSpocalypse” Narrative is Conflating Disruption With Complete Elimination:’ Rick Rider

Infor's Rick Rider argues that rather than the "SaaSpocalypse" narrative suggesting autonomous AI will replace traditional SaaS, vertical industry-specific SaaS will actually enhance AI's reliability and precision.

CRM and Customer Experience

‘The Biggest Opportunity is Moving From Reactive to Proactive Decision-Making:’ Jon Pollock

Acumatica’s 2026 R1 release introduces embedded AI into core workflows to enhance decision-making, enabling mid-market organizations to proactively manage supply chain challenges and improve operational efficiency.

Analytics and AI

Hybrid ERP Deployments Becoming Standard as Industry Grows

The ERP market is evolving into a strategic, data-driven platform, with hybrid deployments on the rise as enterprises blend on-premise and cloud solutions, expecting overall market growth to $40.6 billion by 2033, while AI and industry-specific modules reshape its architecture and consumption.