Small Steps, Big Impact: Thoughts from HIT's MD, Andrew Longland

30 October, 2025

This month’s blog is written by HIT Technology's Managing Director, Andrew Longland, in which he shares some of the practical lessons he's learnt over the years about how manufacturers can get more from ERP by looking at the small steps that have the biggest impact.

Andrew Longland - 30th October 2025:

When I speak with manufacturers about ERP, the conversation often drifts toward the big projects – migrations, upgrades or new system rollouts. These are important, of course, but they aren’t the only way to extract value.

In my experience, the biggest impact often comes from the small steps. The overlooked tweaks. The quick wins that don’t demand huge budgets or long lead times, yet still deliver a tangible return.

As we approach the end of 2025 and start preparing for 2026, I wanted to share a few reflections on what I’ve seen working for manufacturers right now.

Quick Wins That Pay Off

ERP systems like SYSPRO often hold far more capability than people realise. Three areas in particular stand out to me as quick wins:

  • Streamlining order entry – Tailored workflows that reduce errors and free up customer service teams
  • Improving stock accuracy – Mobile data capture that removes duplication and saves warehouse time
  • Sharpening MRP parameters – Cleaner, more relevant production recommendations that planners can act on with confidence

These aren’t huge transformation projects, but they can cut waste, improve efficiency and deliver value almost immediately.

Data Readiness = Better Decisions

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen reporting issues traced back to messy data. It’s one of those things everyone means to fix “later”, but it holds businesses back every day.

A few practical checks I always recommend:

  • Duplicate suppliers or customers – they create confusion and skew reporting
  • Inactive stock items – they clutter up planning and can even cause costly errors
  • Inconsistent units of measure – they undermine accuracy and can cause problems on the shop floor

Cleaning data isn’t glamorous work, but the payoff is huge. The clarity it gives when forecasting or planning can’t be overstated.

It’s All About People

The best ERP system in the world won’t deliver ROI if the people using it don’t feel confident. I’ve seen how small investments here pay back quickly:

  • Short refresher sessions that rebuild confidence
  • Automations that take away repetitive admin
  • Dashboards that answer questions instantly rather than after multiple clicks

ERP works best when it works for people, not the other way round.

Adopting a Continuous Improvement Mindset

I often talk about ERP as a journey rather than a project. The manufacturers who get the most from their systems are those who see it as a process of continuous improvement: small tweaks, reviewed regularly, that add up to long-term gains.

That mindset turns ERP from “the system in the corner” into an engine for growth and innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2026

This is the time of year when leaders start asking whether their ERP is really working as hard as it could. From what I’ve seen, even a short review can highlight opportunities to simplify processes, strengthen integration or unlock hidden quick wins.

Some businesses need a big project. Others just need a few targeted changes. Either way, the important thing is not to stand still.

Final Thoughts

ERP success isn’t only about major investments. The small steps, the quick wins, the data housekeeping, the people engagement, are often the ones that make the biggest difference.

These are the things I’ve been reflecting on lately, and I’d be interested to hear how others are approaching the same challenges. If you’d like to compare notes or explore how your ERP could be working harder for you, I’d be glad to have that conversation.

Give me a shout via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlongland/

Go back