I have decided to begin writing a blog about learning Acumatica. This is going to be quite a learning experience, both with learning Acumatica and with trying to communicate via a blog. It could be a failure or a success. We’ll see how it goes…
I first became interested in Acumatica sometime last year (can’t remember exactly when). It was mentioned on the Panorama Consulting Solutions blog (which I follow). As I began to learn more and more about Acumatica, I became more and more intrigued. Here is a product that takes advantage of deployment via a web browser, yet they aren’t going to tie you into a SAAS solution (not yet at least :)).
My career began at Deloitte in the audit department, but I quickly found my way into the ERP arena which I found to be a good blend of my accounting and technology interests. I am 31 years old now and pretty clear that I want to continue to focus my career on ERP for the foreseeable future. My experience so far has mostly been related to the following three ERP products:
- Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains)
- Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon)
- Sage 500 ERP (formerly MAS 500, formerly formerly something else, maybe Acuity?)
I have also had experience with SAP, QAD, and Quickbooks while working for a company that had gone through two acquisitions (hence the simultaneous use of three products). It was a headache, but a good learning experience.
I ruled out pursuing SAP because I like to work with medium sized business and SAP is more for larger corporations. The three products mentioned above have a good history, but I’m not so sure about their future. Dynamics SL is the most ignored product in the Dynamics SL family and Sage 500 ERP has always been on the back burner in the Sage product portfolio. Dynamics GP is going strong, but it was created in the 1980s and stands on a very antiquated technology foundation.
Everyone is clear that web browser solutions are the thing of the future. They allow you to use multiple devices (computer, tablet, phone, etc.). They allow you to tap into the Cloud as a deployment option. They also allow you to deploy your solution to other locations without any kind of technology prerequisites.
If I were 51, I would probably ride into the sunset of my career on Dynamics GP. But I’m not 51, I’m 31, and I have time to watch a product develop.
There are other web-based ERP products out there (like NetSuite and Intacct), but I’ve decided to invest my time with Acumatica. It’s somewhat of a gamble because the ERP arena has always been uncertain. It takes a long time for an ERP product to mature. During that time the development of the product can easily be frustrated or altogether halted by changes in the company structure, acquisitions, or breakthrough changes in technology. It is a gamble, but an exciting one. I’m going to keep my eye on Acumatica as it grows and matures. Hopefully, I will be able to grow and mature along with it.