In this conversation with Michael Kaiser, IFS BI Expert, we explore some of the bigger-picture topics shaping the ERP market - from the value of platform independence to the long-term evolution of systems like IFS and SAP.
During our chat, Michael shared a story that stuck with me, he once worked on a project where a client proudly showed him a system that could track hundreds of data points, down to the most minute technical details. “It was like being in a car with sensors for tyre temperature, rubber wear, and every other metric you could imagine,” he said. “But most drivers just need a few key dials; speed, fuel, engine temperature. The rest is noise.”
It’s the same with ERP; just because you can measure and manage everything doesn’t mean you should. The real challenge is helping clients understand what’s truly essential to their business, and what they can set aside.
One of the biggest hurdles, Michael explains, is persuading clients to stay platform-independent for as long as possible. "Of course, some customers go for the full package - licenses, tools, everything bundled together - and that's okay. But those who remain independent, those who know exactly what they need and what they don’t, are the ones who get the most out of their solution.”
It’s a sentiment we see echoed in recruitment too. There's often confusion between what's genuinely required for a project and what's simply a nice-to-have. Our role, much like Michael’s, is to offer honest guidance, shaping teams and roadmaps around clear, realistic needs.
That clarity is one of the areas where IFS shines. Compared to legacy systems like SAP or JD Edwards, Michael finds IFS’s platform far more intuitive - from its data structures right down to field names. “I train customers to use System Info. Click in a field, take a screenshot, and instantly we know what we’re working with. It’s been around since 1999, and I hope it stays for another ten years.”
That usability, and IFS’s commitment to listening to the market through events and community feedback, continues to drive its growth. From greenfield implementations to SAP-to-IFS transitions, it’s clear IFS is no longer just ticking along in the background. It’s earning its place among the top ERP platforms.
But perhaps the most thought-provoking takeaway from our chat comes right at the end. Sharing the results of a recent data project, Michael describes finding a surprising correlation between employee sick leave and scrap rates. The data raised more questions than answers, but that, he says, is the point.
“Computers are useless, they only give you answers,” he quotes Picasso.
“The value now lies in asking the right questions. The right questions spark innovation, shape your recruitment, your systems, your whole business.”
And that’s something both consultants and recruiters can take to heart.
Watch the full video here:
