Upgrades hit record rates – and we’re ready for more
In the fall of 2020, more customers than ever have upgraded to MONITOR G5. And as development of the system advances, there are more customers who can, and want to move up to the next generation.
In recent months, record numbers of customers have taken their ERP systems to the next level by choosing MONITOR G5. Although delighted with this positive trend, Monitor’s Consultant Manager Adrian Aptowitzer stresses that quantity is not the most important goal.
“October was an unbelievable month, and it’s always nice to break records; but the most important thing is that every customer that upgrades is satisfied. We want them to feel as if they’ve got something better, which is the right fit for the future. And the fact so many want to upgrade now feels like a sign we’re on the right track.”
Twenty-twenty has been a tough year in many ways, but Monitor has recorded strong sales of new systems, not least among many large companies. This means a lot of implementation projects for Monitor’s consultants.
“We have a large order inflow for new sales – 25 percent higher than last year, despite the Corona pandemic – and G5 accounts for 100 percent of this increase. Many of these new customers are also large companies with many users. I think this is a clear signal we have a first-rate product in MONITOR G5, which consistently comes out on top in tender processes among customers who can choose whatever system they like. So it’s full steam ahead here! We’re also in the process of recruiting more consultants to ensure we can hit our ambitious targets,” adds Adrian.
Monitor’s Consultant Manager has seen a certain “ketchup” effect during the fall, in which development of several functions in demand by many customers has been completed in G5. For example, the long-awaited Tools & Maintenance option, released after the summer, resulted in large numbers of upgrades. The development plan for the months ahead includes additional features many G4 users have been looking forward to, like Measuring data, Agreement management, and Continuous stock count. Yet Adrian is careful to point out that MONITOR G5 is more than just a repackaged version of G4.
“To make sure everyone is on board, we must first include the basic, vital functions, and it’s good these are completed and can be released in G5. That said, the aim is not just to duplicate G4. We’re developing brand new functions that will take our ERP system to a whole new level. Take Daily management, for example, which was launched a while back, and future functionality using AI,” he explains.
Adrian identifies Monitor’s 40-plus years of experience streamlining manufacturing companies as its greatest strength.
“We’ll continue to be a world leader with our existing functions, fully optimized for manufacturing companies, but we also want to further improve and streamline processes and everyday work for our users. We have lots of exciting development ideas where we’ve really thought outside the box. The sky’s the limit!”
The fact so many want to upgrade now feels like a sign we’re on the right track.
Adrian Aptowitzer, Consultant Manager at Monitor ERP System, gives three reasons to upgrade to G5:
“I use MONITOR myself, and I’m really interested in getting info and statistics from the system. This is where G5 truly comes into its own. It’s brilliant to be able to create lists exactly the way I want – for example, with extra fields – and follow up with statistics I can generate in MONITOR in line with my specific needs.”
“So much of a manufacturing company’s work takes place away from the computers in the office. In G5, we put a lot of focus on developing functions for the web application which can be used by staff on the factory floor when reporting work, taking stock counts, or making deliveries, as well as by white-collar personnel who want to work in their smartphones to use the CRM or authorize invoices.”
“G5 is being developed at a rapid pace. A new version is released each month, which gives rise to new ways of working with the system. We’re always listening to our customers and develop functionality they can actually use, and that makes their everyday work easier and more efficient. The Daily management feature is a case in point. For those working in finance, the drill-down function in financial reports is a real gem. And EIM Workflow is an excellent addition which really helps to minimize manual input when managing invoices. We’ve developed a function for this option which, despite being available in G4 [in an external, web-based program], has been fully integrated into G5 and is 10 times better.”