One of the best ways organizations have been able to improve their overall operations in recent years has been through the use of business management software. Whether it is handling inventory, completing sales or integrating various solutions into a single umbrella to improve data sharing, enterprise software is on the rise.

This idea is supported by a recent study from analyst firm Gartner. According to the research, Worldwide IT spending will increase in 2014 to 3.2 percent to reach $3.8 trillion. In that, enterprise software revenue will grow 6.9 percent to top out at $320 billion.

"2014 is going to be a very different year than 2013, when many organizations hunkered down and focused on planning software projects, not implementing them," Gartner research Vice President John Lovelock told the news source. "But [2013] also had the specter of the future. We knew things were going to get better."

Lovelock added that many companies are going to start investing in these solutions that have been on the backburner. The ability to incorporate these software solutions with mobile devices, one of the most in demand hardware systems, has created a new way to handle business and improve how many daily tasks are managed.

As companies start opening up the wallets to bring these solutions to market, it may be difficult for organizations to handle this successfully. With the help of an IT consulting form that specializes in business management software, any organization will be able to gain a hand with deploying and supporting these solutions.

The start of a new year is typically a time of fresh beginnings and a positive outlook. For companies in Indiana, the future is bright.

A recent article from Inside Indiana Business recapped a new study by BMO Harris Bank. The main takeaway is that business owners in Indiana are optimistic for the possibilities in 2014. The outlook of the state economy is positive, though there are mixed feelings when it comes to the U.S. economy.

According to the survey, 97 percent of respondents believe their business will either grow or stay the same in the next 12 months. On top of that, 29 percent feel the state's economy will improve this year, while 49 percent believe it will remain the same.

"More and more, we're seeing Indiana business owners looking to the future for growth and expansion," Andrew Cardimen, Managing Director and Head, Commercial Banking, Indiana, BMO Harris Bank, told the news source. "While some caution still exists about the economic environment, businesses are feeling confident that they have weathered the worst and are stronger for it."

He went on to say that there are a number of advantages of doing business in Indiana. That is one of the main reasons the state has fared well during this economic down time. The strong Midwestern work ethic, great location and strong business environment are helping create this positive outlook.  An improved corporate landscape means it could be time to start investing in business management software solutions and other innovations.

Companies that choose to expand or renovate their established processing plants can help to slowly impact the amount of jobs available to manufacturing workers not just in the local Indiana area, but in the country as a whole, if they plan this move correctly.

The Journal Courier has reported that a manufacturing company that creates molds called Adkev Inc. is looking to take its operations in Monticello further. It already manages a plant there, but with the addition of hundreds of millions of new dollars, it hopes to attract more interest in this facility and secure what the news source reports as an estimated 60 more jobs three years from now.

The reason it's worth spotlighting these different efforts is that they showcase real-world applications for manufacturing ERP software to be used in coordinating the sort of activity that will be needed to meet these projections.

The company reportedly already has 85 workers in the Monticello area, which numbers more than 180,000 square feet.

Jeremy Kyser, manager of the Monticello plant, described the decisions that his Inkev had to make when deciding to invest in Indiana, as the press release said.

"While Monticello, Ind. was one option for expansion, our corporate team was also being asked regularly to consider opening up new facilities in Tennessee, Alabama and Mexico," he said.

Microsoft business software and other important means of planning can be helpful in deciding exactly where to begin an expansion, and if it helps to sway your business more toward Indiana, then perhaps it's all for the better.

It's always good to see the businesses that first got their start in Indiana continue to develop their relationship with their home state, especially when that could mean more manufacturing jobs for local residents.

Another company that seems to be strengthening its presence here is Motionwear, a producer of girls' sports clothing that was created in the Hoosier state some 26 years ago. Now, it's amping up one of its existing facilities in the state, and locals might be the ones that see the benefit, as well as the Indiana business community.

While the store has vastly expanded, it's still devoting hundreds of thousands of dollars to this facility, which probably gives this particular investment an added bit of meaning for those who have stayed loyal to it since its beginnings. 

And from the sound of it, the expansion won't take too long, either, as it's expected to be completed by January.

According to the company's executive vice president Theresa Mason, Indianapolis is more than just a home base, though: it's also a real viable place to continue their trade. With a business accounting system in action, companies could perhaps formulate plans that work just as well for them.

"Motionwear provides apparel to Hoosiers who embrace the art of dance and the sports of gymnastics and cheerleading," Mason said. "Indianapolis is centrally located for both suppliers and North American customers."

Use a business accounting program to prepare yourselves, because even the efforts to move forward with existing facilities could require a new approach to organizations for optimal performance.

It will take a combined effort to revitalize sustained interest in manufacturing if we are to see a continued revival of interest in this sector. In addition to an organized approach to business that uses manufacturing software to its fullest potential, managers of companies in this area can think of the ways that different contributors to success in this area might all add to more productivity.

in a time when the supply of constant workers is a concern for manufacturing's future, it's important to know that others are treating this situation with seriousness.

According to CBS, Pennsylvania Senator Chris Coons was reported as supporting the need for more focus on gearing youths toward later manufacturing careers. This is in order to close what he calls a "skills gap," something that others might have already picked up on.

"If we want to grow the manufacturing we have to educate the youth, not for just future jobs but for what's available now," Coons said.

Part of this may fall to existing manufacturing professionals to make their operations as forward and easy to understand as possible through manufacturing business solutions.

With more than 60 percent of companies in this country endeavoring to shoulder the burden of a lack of workers, the implications of this deficiency are present, but there are fortunately means available for firms to try and improve in this area.

With a well-managed series of locations, the supply chain can be one that leads to great improvements and a more positive industry outlook with just some basic organizational changes.