ERP Isn’t Just Software: It’s Your Business Narrative

A Conversation with Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

ERP has a long history. Complicated. Clunky. Built for IT departments, not business leaders. But that version of ERP is fast becoming a thing of the past.

Jeff Ryan sees it differently. For him, ERP isn’t just about systems and processes—it’s about telling a clearer, more connected story of how your business actually works. It’s about giving finance the tools to move from number-crunching to real insight, and giving leaders the confidence to act on data that makes sense.

In this conversation, Jeff talks through where ERP is headed, how firms can scale without adding headcount, and why legacy systems aren’t just slow—they’re risky. It’s not about having more tech. It’s about making your systems speak the same language, so your business can finally move as one.

ERP and Financial Storytelling

Finance leaders now need to translate numbers into insights that drive action. How does a fully integrated ERP empower finance teams to communicate more clearly and strategically?

So I think the key word when you talk about integrated systems is integrated. Where the value comes in—and we’re seeing this with the businesses we implement systems for—is with those who look holistically at their business. They’re not siloed into finance, sales, and operations separately. They’re looking for a complete picture.

You get deep insights when you start bringing data from one system into another. Within Sage Intacct, you can bring operational data into the financial system. And because of dimensional accounting, you can be very flexible in terms of what data you get out.

We’re seeing finance leaders use systems like Sage Intacct to tell those stories. One of our clients is a restaurant chain group—they’re pulling in data like square meterage and headcount efficiency and combining it with financial data. That gives them powerful insights into profitability across the group—what’s working, which chains or brands or products are performing better. That’s where the real opportunity is. It’s not about what the systems can do, it’s about how well they’re integrated—and what insights that unlocks across the business.

“Those financial leaders that are looking to get insights across the business are using systems like Sage Intacct to tell those stories.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Financial Data Integration

You’ve mentioned fragmented financial systems as a barrier. Why is consolidating data into one ERP core vital for a smarter, more agile finance function?

So, especially in group structures, consolidating data—multi-entity data—has massive benefits in terms of economies of scale. We’ve seen a lot of inefficiencies within group structures. Even basic things like journal entries: doing it once in one system, and then manually doing it again in another. With modern ERPs like Sage Intacct, that’s automatic.

The big win is visibility—having data across the group in one place, consolidated. That makes it much easier to make decisions that are relevant at group level. It also has a big impact when you’re applying for credit lines at banks—you’ve got full visibility of what the entire group is doing, not just a narrow view of one entity in one market.

“Having then the visibility of your data across the group in one place… makes it so much easier to make decisions that are relative to the group.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Strategic CFO: Beyond Reporting

How can finance leaders effectively leverage ERP data to actively shape business strategy, rather than merely reporting numbers?

There’s been a massive transition. If you look back ten years ago, the CFO role was really just a bookkeeping function—it was all about recording what had happened.

Then there was a shift to understanding what’s happening right now. There was a lot of talk about real-time reporting and quick access to data. But the new way of thinking is using that real-time data to forecast and predict where the business is going.

That’s where tools like AI and even ChatGPT come in—you get access to your data quickly, and you can start spotting where the business could be heading. In competitive industries, that kind of insight can make or break your ability to spot an opportunity—or manage a risk, like a legislative change—before it hits you.

So it’s no longer just about the past, or even just the present. It’s about using the data to predict where we could go next. New markets, new revenue streams, or even just managing potential costs before they become a problem.

“The new way of thinking is using that real time data to make forecasts and predictions on where the business is going to go.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Leaving Legacy Systems Behind

You’ve talked about businesses clinging to outdated financial systems. What real risks do these businesses face if they fail to update their ERP approach?

The biggest risk we’ve found with businesses that can’t move from legacy systems is that they just can’t keep up with the technology their competitors are using—so they’re losing out on revenue opportunities.

There was some research done recently by Accenture that showed you’ve got five times the potential revenue growth if you embrace technology and use it to leapfrog your competitors. So for companies stuck on legacy systems, that’s a massive disadvantage.

Then there’s the operational risk. A lot of these legacy systems are running on on-prem servers. Maintaining servers, firewalls, protecting data, staying compliant with all the laws around privacy—that’s a huge cost.

When you move to cloud-based software like Sage Intacct, with platforms like AWS and Azure, you’re on infrastructure that’s secure, backed up, and comes with guarantees. Sage, for example, has a “Buy with Confidence” guarantee that pays out if the platform goes down outside a maintenance window. That’s huge—knowing your data is safe.

And from a cost point of view, there’s no way you can match the functionality or infrastructure of AWS on your own. It’s just not feasible. So the real risks? Lost revenue, higher operational costs, and weaker data security.

“They just can’t keep up with the technology of their competitors, so they’re one losing a revenue opportunity.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

AI-Driven Decision-Making

You’ve highlighted Gartner’s prediction that 75% of ERP systems will soon use AI. How should finance teams practically use AI—beyond automation—to improve strategic decision-making?

It’s interesting, because a lot of people are still quite distrustful of AI. And what people think AI is, is often different to the practical use cases that are actually available to finance teams right now.

The best examples of AI in finance are those that genuinely produce better results than a person could. I saw a great article about this—it talked about use cases depending on how much manual input and how much creativity is required.

Manual data entry? Huge risk. That’s where automation is obvious—you reduce risk by getting rid of human error. Where AI adds value is in putting intelligence on top of that—giving you better insights into what’s actually going on.

One example we use a lot is Sage Intacct’s GL Outlier detection. You set tolerance levels for certain transactions or journals, and it flags things before they get processed. It learns as it goes, so it gets better over time.

Another big one is invoice automation. We’ve seen huge uptake in the last two to three years—using OCR to scan supplier invoices and convert them into draft bills ready for processing. That saves massive time, cuts errors, and avoids the kind of repetitive tasks that humans get bored of and mess up.

So yes, AI can be scary for some people, but the use cases are real, and they can absolutely help you leapfrog your competitors—if you pick the right ones.

“Where AI has that advantage is putting intelligence over and above that to give you a little bit better insights in terms of what’s actually happening.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Customised ERP: Industry Relevance

Industry-specific ERPs are replacing generic solutions. Why does having an ERP tailored specifically for your sector create such a meaningful impact?

Tailor-made solutions are generally just more efficient. But let’s be real—no system is ever truly tailor-made for a specific client. What we’re talking about is industry fit—it’s tailored for your vertical, not your business.

Take Sage Intacct, for example. In the financial services and professional services space, it’s tailored for things like project management, project billing, time and expenses—so client billing gets a lot better.

Same goes for contract management. It’s built with revenue recognition in mind and helps you stay compliant with accounting standards across the revenue schedule.

That’s where a tailored focus makes a difference. It’s a big step up from the old days when you had a generic ERP trying to serve every vertical and every business function at once.

Now, it’s less about one giant system that does everything. It’s about best-in-class systems—like a great accounting system paired with a great CRM—that talk to each other. That becomes your ERP. And it fits your industry far better.

“It is a game changer from when you used to get a generic version that used to have to service multiple different verticals.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

IoT and Real-Time Visibility

IoT integration into ERP is a game-changer for real-time data. Practically, how does this integration empower finance teams to respond faster to changing conditions?

So going back to what I said earlier—one of the focus areas for finance leaders is that it’s no longer just about recording what happened, or even what’s happening right now in the business. It’s about predictive analysis, and hopefully proactive analysis too.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a great example. If you just take a household use case—your fridge is running out of milk, so it automatically reorders milk for you. That’s a smart use of AI at home.

Now apply that thinking to finance. If you’ve got real-time data coming in from sensors in your business—like scanners on the floor, or biometrics when employees clock in—you can use AI models to get deep predictive insights.

For example, if the door is open too long at lunch, that might suggest a risk—people walking in without using biometrics. Those kinds of insights can help you spot risks or opportunities that you wouldn’t otherwise have seen.

“If you have data that is really available in real time… you can get really deep insights using AI models around predictive analysis of what’s going to work better for your business.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Predictive Analytics for Accurate Forecasting

How can predictive analytics embedded in ERP systems realistically improve the accuracy and speed of financial forecasting?

A system is only as good as the user. AI helps with trends, analysis, and forecasts—but you still need someone who knows what they’re doing.

Take something like Microsoft’s CoPilot, which has been out for a while. You see it in Excel with predictive insights. Sage Intacct is also on that journey—they’re building their own CoPilot, and some of it is already in the market. It’ll be in Intacct properly by 2025.

What that means is, users will be able to get the insights they need faster—but they still need to understand what they’re asking for. I’ve had plenty of challenges personally using ChatGPT to drill down into data. If you don’t have a conceptual understanding of what you’re trying to get to, the model won’t help you.

So it’s not just about having the model. It’s about knowing how to apply the insights it gives you. What does it mean for your business? You still need to dig deeper and connect the dots.

The upside is that AI makes it much quicker to access those insights—but it’s still on the finance user to interpret them and drive the business forward.

“The benefit actually comes with the finances and predictive analysis is that it is much quicker to get that information using AI.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

ERP and Compliance Automation

Compliance tasks are repetitive but crucial. How can modern ERP systems simplify compliance so it’s routine, rather than disruptive?

We’ve seen this a lot—especially in the nonprofit sector, which we look after quite closely. In the U.S., for example, there’s more pressure to ensure money donated for specific causes is actually used for those causes.

In the old days, reporting was done in Excel—or even on paper—and it took ages to show where every cent went.

Now, with systems like Sage Intacct, you get grant tracking, project management, and nonprofit-specific financial tools. That means anyone—investors, donors, auditors—can see in real time how money was spent and where it went. You don’t have to wait for an annual report.

Auditors now have access to live data. There are dashboards, checklists, drill-down features. They can walk in, see everything they need, and move faster. That means less time auditing, lower costs for the organisation, and better trust all round.

You’ve also got automatic audit trails. The Collaborate tool in Intacct shows internal conversations, so you don’t have to go digging for that weird email from months ago that authorised a strange transaction. It’s all there—recorded in one place.

We’re seeing massive efficiency gains here. And the relationship between auditors and clients is actually improving because of it.

“The availability of data is at the fingertips for the auditors… and they can drill down—it makes the audit time a lot quicker.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Hybrid ERP: Bridging Old and New

Many mid-sized companies favour hybrid ERP models. What makes hybrid ERP so appealing to businesses cautious about fully transitioning to the cloud?

Yeah, so the word “hybrid” basically means you’re not quite there. It means you’ve got a bit of both worlds. And I think that comes from a cautious approach—people being quite set in their ways.

Some businesses have that on-premise mindset: “Our data needs to stay inside our walls. We don’t trust the cloud.” Others are hybrid in how their ERP is implemented—maybe there’s a web screen, but there’s still a private server running behind it.

Every business has its own journey, and moving directly to cloud isn’t always a simple decision. There’s cost to consider. If you’re moving from your own server, that can be a cost saving. But when you’re dealing with massive data volumes, storing everything in the cloud can get expensive—and in some cases, a private cloud might end up being cheaper long-term.

So there’s no one-size-fits-all. What’s great is that now we do have options.

And if we look at where the software market is going, it’s all about open platforms with APIs—systems that talk to each other. Sage Intacct, for example, connects to CRM systems like Salesforce or HubSpot, eCommerce platforms, manufacturing tools—all cloud-based, all API-ready.

That kind of connectivity is what most customers are really after. And that’s what a modern hybrid ERP model offers.

“A private cloud actually becomes cheaper in the long term because of the mass amount of data that’s being stored.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

ERP Skills: Preparing Your Team

With ERPs automating routine finance tasks, what new capabilities should finance professionals focus on developing?

So let’s start there.

Most people have been working in virtual environments for a while now. COVID proved that most businesses can operate completely virtually. But recently, we’ve seen a shift—people are being encouraged back to the office.

Why? Because face-to-face still matters. Human beings need personal interaction. We’ve seen it ourselves—in our business, onboarding and training works better when new team members have a bit more face time with managers and peers.

Now, with AI, virtual work, and how fast finance data moves, the skills needed are shifting.

Soft skills are more important than ever—building relationships, managing teams, getting things done in a hybrid world.

The other big one? Problem-solving. You’ve got all this tech—AI, ERP systems, dashboards. The skill is knowing how to apply it to your business. That means understanding what’s out there, staying on top of trends, and making good decisions about how to use the tools you’ve got.

So yeah, soft skills and problem-solving. That’s what I’d say every finance leader needs to focus on.

“The skill that I would suggest would be very, very pertinent going forward is the ability to use technology to the right purpose for your business.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

Global Competitiveness Through ERP

As South African businesses increasingly compete globally, how does a connected ERP help them level the playing field?

A classic example? Our own business.

We’ve grown quickly by spotting the opportunity with Sage Intacct and building services around it. We’re delivering those services from South Africa into the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Having Sage Intacct in our own business has helped us scale without needing more staff. We’ve got three entities already, and a fourth on the way—and we’re managing all of them without adding headcount.

In the old days, if your systems weren’t connected, managing a group like that was a nightmare. You’d need a whole team per entity. But now? We’ve scaled with the same people.

Retail Capital is another good example. They were acquired by TymeBank, and during their growth phase they doubled their customer base—without increasing the number of finance staff. That’s the power of having an interconnected ERP.

When you’re expanding globally, you need systems that scale with you. You also need to be compliant across regions. Sage Intacct is available in all the countries we operate in, and we don’t have to worry about regulatory issues—it’s all baked into the system.

“We’re able to grow and scale with the same number of people without adding any additional headcount.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)

The Future ERP Landscape

What’s your boldest prediction for ERP’s evolution over the next five years—and how can business leaders best position themselves now to lead in that environment?

My boldest prediction?

ERPs are already heading there, but they’re going to become even more self-configured. I think the days of massive implementations—think SAP, Oracle—where projects took two to three years? That’s done. No one’s signing off on that kind of timeline anymore.

There’s been a huge shift toward faster configuration, quicker go-live times, and smoother onboarding. That’s taking out a lot of the need for post-implementation support, maintenance, and upgrades.

So what does that mean?

It means more power is moving back to the software developers themselves—the teams actually building the products. And less of that power will sit with the implementation partners who used to run long, drawn-out customisation projects.

Businesses need to position themselves to move fast. Pick platforms that are agile. Work with tools that are always improving. And be ready to configure—not customise—because that’s where the industry’s going.

“There will be more power within the software developers… and less within the implementation partners that work alongside them.“

Jeff Ryan, Senior Director of Growth, ERP – UKIA, TydeCo™ (formerly AWCape)