At a glance
ERP solutions are developing into intelligent, modular platforms with AI-supported functions and hybrid architecture approaches. They enable data-driven business models instead of traditional system landscapes.
Although ERP systems have also evolved over the years, they basically offer the same core functions as they did decades ago. In view of this, is it worth talking about ERP trends at all? In any case. As an ERP provider, we are constantly researching and testing innovations. In this article, we take a look at the meteoric development of AI and LLMs, among other things. The technologies are no longer just hype, but already offer great potential for use today. We also highlight five other top trends that you should also focus on in 2026.
Trend 1: AI and LLMs offer new opportunities
A year ago, the use of large language models (LLMs) in the business environment was still associated with limitations. While AI was already being used successfully in many areas, language models such as ChatGPT were still struggling with challenges such as “hallucinating”.
Since then, however, the development of technologies has picked up speed rapidly. Today, it is clear that AI and LLMs are having an ever greater impact on ERP systems. This currently affects the following fields of application in particular:
LLM-based assistance systems
Text and voice-based AI chatbots in particular are now mastering tasks in a business context with flying colors. This is because the quality of the answers has improved immensely.
If the user asks a question, the technology delivers extremely useful results in natural language within a very short time. In this way, users receive useful information that supports them in their daily work. If help is needed to complete a task, virtual assistants provide information on analyses and key figures or how to operate the system, for example.
Process automation
LLMs are also giving process automation a major boost. Digital assistants understand instructions reliably and carry out the necessary steps independently – even for new tasks that they have not previously been trained for. Their ability to interpret semi-structured data and learn from contextual information makes them particularly suitable for scenarios with changing conditions.
One example is automatic document processing. Up to now, conventional image recognition has only worked with limited reliability: Different layouts or poorly legible fonts led to errors that required manual correction. LLMs, on the other hand, interpret partially structured information almost error-free – no matter what it looks like. Thanks to the improved recognition rate, you hardly need to intervene at all and can automate the subsequent work steps to a much greater extent.
Read also: Process optimization with the ERP system
AI-supported analyses
AI will fundamentally transform data analysis. The technology recognizes patterns, identifies deviations and links historical data with current market information. This allows opportunities and risks to be better assessed and valuable insights to be gained. In addition, AI enables more precise and faster decisions with real-time analysis. This helps managers to respond to market changes with agility and pursue strategic goals more effectively.
Trend 2: Sustainability reporting is gaining in importance
Currently, small and medium-sized companies are not directly affected by the Supply Chain Act and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – i.e. ESG reporting. This means that they are not currently obliged to prepare reports on their due diligence and sustainability. However, they are already indirectly affected by the regulations and must make their environmental and social efforts transparent.
There are two main reasons for this:
- Large companies require suppliers and subcontractors to fulfill sustainability requirements and back them up with facts and figures. This is the only way they are able to fulfill their own auditing obligations along the entire supply chain.
- More and more people – whether private individuals or CEOs – attach importance to sustainable products. Sustainability reports can therefore improve a company’s reputation, strengthen customer loyalty and increase competitiveness.
Accordingly, SMEs are also increasingly formulating specific requirements as to which key sustainability figures an ERP solution should deliver. There is a demand for modern reporting functions that offer companies maximum transparency and at the same time enable responsible resource planning. They visualize environmental and social data, uncover potential savings and support the monitoring of CO₂ emissions.
Ideally, reporting should be automated via an ERP system. This reduces the time required, the manpower needed and the error rate.
Read also: Sustainable management: how your ERP system can help you achieve this
Trend 3: Increasing desire for hybrid IT architectures
Purely cloud-based ERP solutions have long been established and are often still advertised as the ultimate solution. However, this is not what many companies want: the market is increasingly demanding hybrid models that represent a combination of cloud and on-premise solutions.
The storage location of sensitive and personal data plays a major role in this development. Most companies are reluctant to store information about employees, research results or secret formulas in the cloud. They prefer to keep the data on their own servers in the hope of increased security.
Hybrid IT architectures offer the best of both worlds: The core system runs on-premise or in a protected environment. Important functions such as CRM and service are available in the cloud.
There are currently more exciting developments in the ERP sector than there have been for a long time.
Trend 4: Cybersecurity has top priority
Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, aggressive and effective. ERP providers must therefore ensure that every access to the system is controlled.
The best way to achieve this is with the Zero Trust security model, which excludes blanket trust settings. No user or device – whether internal or external – is granted access to company resources by default. Access is only granted once identity and authorization have been verified.
The safety measures include, for example:
- Multifactor authentication
- Minimal assignment of authorizations
- End-to-end encryption
- Division of the network into smaller, isolated segments
- Real-time monitoring and pattern recognition
But even tried-and-tested security precautions are still up to date in 2026. Companies should apply updates and patches promptly and always run the latest version of programs. Employees should also be made aware of cyber security so that they can recognize phishing emails and choose the right passwords.
Also important: cyber security must not be too complicated and time-consuming for employees. Tools such as a password safe and an automated VPN connection that does not require any manual input ensure the simplest possible handling.
Trend 5: No-code personalization
The ERP system of the future can be adapted to the individual needs of a single user without programming. This means that even employees without developer expertise can personalize the software so that it is precisely tailored to their tasks and working style. What’s more, intelligent user interfaces recognize patterns in user behaviour and automatically adapt to a specific workflow. And as the code remains unchanged, companies are not cut off from further developments.
The advantages are obvious:
- Maximum flexibility for users without programming knowledge
- Release and update capability remain intact
- Cost and time savings
- No specialist personnel required
Trend 6: Lean, intuitive interfaces for focused work
The more processes are automated, the more employees can focus on their core tasks. Users should therefore only see the data and functions that they need for their current task. Everything else can be hidden or run in the background. Just as in lean production, nothing should be wasted in office work. Every unnecessary click and every search for information costs unnecessary time, attention and nerves. That’s why the focus should be on user-friendliness and UX is one of the top ERP trends for us.
The introduction of the Flow Mode in APplus was a big step in this direction for us. Instead of typical ERP masks, we now offer Kanban-like boards. The views are reduced to the essentials and can be highly customized. Measurements have shown up to threefold increases in efficiency.
You can get detailed insights into Flow Mode and its high level of user-friendliness in our webinar recording.
What do the ERP trends mean for you?
There are currently more exciting developments in the ERP sector than there have been for a long time. Over the next few years, the technologies will mature and lead to further leaps in productivity. This change offers companies the opportunity not only to optimize their existing processes, but also to open up completely new business models and growth opportunities.
So think ahead when selecting an ERP system: analyze which providers pick up on trends early on, test them and transfer them into productive functions! After all, your ERP system should not only master the challenges of the next few years. Rather, it should enable you to actively shape the opportunities of the future and secure your long-term competitiveness.
Whitepaper on the ERP trends of the future
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