David De Rego, VP of Product Marketing, Acumatica: “Being cloud-native opens the door to continuous innovation”

In his three decades of guiding businesses, David De Rego has seen firsthand how impactful a successful technology implementation can be. And as VP of Product Marketing at Acumatica, David is keen to use his experience to leverage those effects to their fullest potential.

Time and time again he’s seen that when ERP is implemented thoughtfully, the benefits compound quickly across the board. “A well-implemented business management system provides a single source of truth,” David said, giving everyone “from the shop floor to the executive suite the necessary real-time visibility across the entire organisation.”

But as powerful as ERP can be, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different industries operate with unique workflows and require tailored systems to suit. David notes that the systems that make the greatest impact are the ones that are built with that reality in mind, building “technology that fits their industry and specific needs, not the other way around”.

Another big factor: our shift to the cloud. With on-premises systems, change was slow, expensive and disruptive. Cloud ERP, on the other hand, maintains all of the benefits without any of the awkward transition. “Cloud-based ERP flips that model completely,” David said. “It shifts the investment to a more predictable revenue model, dramatically accelerating time-to-value.”

Having spoken so positively about ERP’s transformative abilities, we thought it was only right to start David’s interview by exploring the experiences that shaped his perspective.

First, can you tell us about your role and your experience with ERP systems?

In my current role as Vice President of Product Marketing at Acumatica, I lead the execution of our product positioning and go-to-market strategy for our cloud ERP solution. My focus is on translating the value of enterprise technology into clear, compelling business outcomes for small and mid-market organizations—showing how technology can drive transformation, fuel growth and create measurable impact. Over the last decade, I have worked across the ERP and construction software space, most notably leading global marketing at Viewpoint, Inc., a provider of construction-specific enterprise solutions, and overseeing marketing and portfolio strategy at Sage Software, where I helped SaaS offerings for finance, HR and operations gain traction with growing enterprises. This breadth of experience allows me to understand both the operational needs of users and the technical requirements of modern ERP systems—how data, workflow and cloud architectures must converge to enable agility, insight and growth. 

At Acumatica, I apply that insight to help highlight how our solutions meet real business challenges, such as moving from fragmented data and disconnected systems to real-time analytics and embedded intelligence. My team collaborates closely with product management and sales to develop messaging and user experiences that resonate with our target audiences. My goal is to ensure that the SMB market understands that our ERP platform is not only flexible and modern, but also deeply aligned with how businesses win in today’s cloud-first, data-driven economy. 

In your view, what’s the biggest advantage a well-implemented ERP system can bring to an organization?

While cloud ERP solutions offer many benefits, the biggest advantage is unifying disparate systems and applications to help companies grow. A well-implemented business management system provides a single source of truth, giving everyone from the shop floor to the executive suite the necessary real-time visibility across the entire organization. When finance, operations and sales are all working from the same data, they can be more strategic, making smarter, faster decisions that truly move the needle—a principle that’s especially true for small and mid-sized businesses. 

This visibility fuels powerful and transformative outcomes. It allows businesses to automate routine tasks, which frees up teams to focus on more strategic work that delivers tangible business value. It also means teams can scale operations without adding complexity. As the business grows, an open and adaptable platform allows teams to integrate best-of-breed applications, ensuring the technology stack evolves alongside the business. 

Ultimately, all of this translates into a better experience for customers and measurable business results. We see our customers achieve faster order-to-cash cycles, improve on-time delivery rates and protect their margins because they have the right information at their fingertips. A well-implemented ERP system empowers every person in the organization to contribute to success, and that’s a powerful advantage in any market. 

Are there specific industries or business functions where ERP creates the most impact?

While a modern ERP benefits almost any organization, we see the most profound impact in industries like manufacturing, distribution and construction, as well as in service-based businesses. These are sectors where managing complex operations in real-time is essential for survival and growth. Think about functions like finance, supply chain, inventory management and project accounting. When these are unified on a single platform, the results are transformative and can take businesses to the next level. 

For example, in manufacturing, we help businesses streamline everything from make-to-order processes to kitting and assembly. In construction, it’s about mastering job costing and managing subcontracts with complete visibility. For field service teams, having mobile access to data means faster billing and better resource utilization. The key is providing deep, industry-specific functionality right out of the box. 

The visibility that ERP solutions provide leads to measurable outcomes, such as fewer stockouts, improved cash flow and more profitable projects. What truly makes this possible is an adaptable platform. Instead of being forced into rigid processes, our customers can easily configure workflows to match their unique way of doing business. We empower businesses with technology that fits their industry and specific needs, not the other way around. 

How do you balance the complexity of ERP systems with the need for usability? 

The key is to design the system around the people who use it, not the other way around. We strike a balance between complexity and usability by delivering a role-based experience. A warehouse manager, a project accountant and a CFO all need different information to do their jobs effectively. Our goal is to surface what’s essential for their role through an intuitive, mobile-first interface, while keeping more advanced controls easily accessible when needed. 

This approach ensures the system feels simple without sacrificing its power. We lean heavily on configuration over rigid customization, empowering businesses to tailor workflows themselves using low-code tools. This approach effectively puts control in their hands. We also embed personalized dashboards and reports directly into user workspaces, so insights are part of their daily routine, rather than a separate task. 

Overall, achieving this balance is a continuous process. We rely on user feedback loops and iterative releases to constantly refine the customer experience. As our software evolves, we offer robust training and in-app guidance, ensuring we enable our customers to succeed. By measuring factors such as task completion rates and overall user satisfaction, we can ensure the ERP is a powerful system of record and a tool that people genuinely want to use to drive the business forward. 

How are cloud-based ERP systems changing the landscape compared to on-premises deployments?

The switch to the cloud is one of the most important shifts we’ve seen in the industry. The transition is fundamentally changing how businesses think about their core operating technology. Even though cloud technology is firmly rooted in the business world, there are many organizations that have not yet made the switch. With traditional, on-premises systems, businesses are locked into a significant upfront capital expenditure, followed by a long, disruptive implementation. Cloud-based ERP flips that model completely. It shifts the investment to a more predictable revenue model, dramatically accelerating time-to-value. 

Beyond the financial benefits, the cloud offers incredible agility. Businesses gain the ability to scale resources up or down as needed, without massive hardware overhauls. Security and compliance are also strengthened through a shared responsibility model with the provider, allowing companies to benefit from continuous updates without the downtime that once plagued them. Teams get secure, mobile access to real-time data from anywhere, which is essential in today’s world. 

Most importantly, being cloud-native opens the door to continuous innovation. Open APIs make it easier to connect to other best-of-breed applications, creating a truly unified ecosystem. It also provides the foundation for leveraging transformative technologies, such as AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. Cloud-based ERP systems go beyond managing operations to build a resilient and intelligent business that can adapt and thrive. 

How important is change management in ERP projects, and what best practices have you seen work well?

Change management is critical to ERP success. Our team has seen firsthand that technology alone doesn’t transform a business—people do. A successful implementation depends on teams embracing the new system and processes. Without their buy-in, as well as support from company leadership, even the best software will fail to deliver its promised value. 

The best practice is to start early and be intentional. Begin by creating a clear vision for the ERP implementation that’s tied to specific business outcomes, and secure strong executive sponsorship. From there, build a network of “change champions” throughout the organization. These are enthusiastic team members who can help communicate the benefits and support their colleagues through the transition. 

At Acumatica, we’ve found that our partners play an essential role in this process. Because they work so closely with customers during implementation and training, partners act as trusted advisors who help reinforce the change narrative, tailor configurations to each organization’s workflows, and ensure the system fits the people. 

Frequent, transparent communication is key. People need to understand the “why” behind the change, not just the “how.” Pairing the “why” with role-based, hands-on training and phased rollouts provides teams with the confidence and time they need to adapt. Finally, celebrate small wins and recognize contributors to build momentum and ensure lasting success. 

What’s the most exciting ERP innovation you’ve come across recently?

The most exciting innovation is the practical application of AI and machine learning directly within core business workflows. These technologies are moving beyond hype and delivering real value. For example, we’re seeing tangible value from predictive demand planning, which helps businesses anticipate customer needs more accurately. Another great example is anomaly detection in accounts payable, where the system can automatically flag unusual invoices, reducing risk and manual review time.  

This innovation is complemented by the rise of low-code platforms that allow businesses to rapidly build and extend applications. It empowers the people closest to the process to create solutions without needing to be developers. When we combine this adaptability with a connected data fabric that unifies information from an ERP, CRM, and eCommerce platforms, the potential is enormous. 

What excites me most is that these innovations are becoming more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses. They’re designed to be explainable, secure, and embedded right where people work, not behind enterprise-level red tape. The result is measurable business outcomes, such as reduced forecasting errors, faster financial closes, and fewer exceptions to manage. These innovations empower organizations across industries and sizes with intelligent tools to help them drive the business forward, and that’s a transformative step for our industry. 

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