ERP systems no longer sit quietly in the background. For Australian and New Zealand mid-sized businesses, the ERP platform you choose today will shape how your operations, reporting, and decision-making work for years to come. 

According to the ERP Buyer’s Guide 2025, Australia’s mid-market contributes 23% of national GDP and employs more than three million people. At the same time, almost 72% of mid-market businesses are actively seeking funding or investment to expand. Growth is clearly on the agenda. 

The question is whether current systems can keep up. 

As ERP technology evolves, leaders are asking sharper questions: 

• what capabilities actually improve day-to-day operations? 

• how do we modernise without disrupting the business? 

• and which systems will scale as complexity increases? 

From our work with mid-market organisations, three ERP trends stand out as priorities for 2026. 

1. Practical AI that delivers real operational value

AI has moved past the experimentation phase. The focus has shifted from hype to usefulness. 

For mid-market businesses, especially across manufacturing, construction, wholesale, and METS, AI only matters if it reduces manual work, improves accuracy, and fits naturally into existing workflows. 

The ERP Buyer’s Guide shows that 34% of mid-market organisations plan to prioritise AI tools over the next five years, alongside data and analytics and digital security. This signals a shift toward embedded AI inside core systems, not standalone tools. 

What practical AI looks like inside ERP: 

• automating high-volume tasks such as accounts payable and expense capture 

• surfacing unusual patterns in costs or transactions before they become problems 

• providing fast answers to everyday operational questions without rebuilding reports 

This is where platforms like MYOB Acumatica focus their AI roadmap. The emphasis is on AI that works inside finance, purchasing, inventory, and projects, rather than bolted-on features that add complexity. 

The benefit is simple. Less time spent correcting data and more time acting on it. 

2. Modular ERP architecture becomes the default

Rigid, all-or-nothing ERP systems are being replaced by modular platforms built around a clean core. 

Mid-market businesses want flexibility without risking system stability. Modular ERP architecture allows organisations to: 

• extend core ERP functionality using plug-in modules 

• add or replace capabilities without heavy customisation 

• support two-tier ERP models where regional or operational units need autonomy 

This matters in Australia and New Zealand, where localisation requirements continue to evolve. With B2G e-invoicing in the PINT A-NZ format mandated from 2025, compliance needs to stay current without forcing full system rewrites. 

The ERP Buyer’s Guide highlights that modern ERP platforms are now delivering localisation and compliance as configurable modules rather than one-off builds. This reduces technical debt and keeps upgrades predictable. 

For growing businesses, modular ERP removes the trade-off between control and agility. You can modernise specific workflows first, then expand as needed. 

3. Real-time analytics replace spreadsheet reporting

Spreadsheets are still widely used, but their limitations are well understood. 

The ERP Buyer’s Guide reports that 45% of decision-makers say siloed systems actively limit business growth. When data lives across disconnected tools, reporting becomes slow, manual, and reactive. 

ERP platforms in 2026 are addressing this through: 

• live dashboards driven by real-time operational data 

• role-based alerts that surface issues as they happen 

• analytics embedded directly into finance, supply chain, and project workflows 

This shift moves organisations from hindsight to foresight. Instead of waiting for month-end reports, leaders can see emerging issues early and adjust before they escalate. 

Real-time visibility also lays the groundwork for more advanced capabilities such as scenario modelling and digital twins, but the immediate win is faster, more confident decision-making. 

What this means for Australian mid-market leaders

These trends point to a clear direction. 

Mid-market businesses are investing in systems that: 

• reduce manual work rather than adding layers 

• scale without disrupting core operations 

• provide visibility without rebuilding spreadsheets 

ERP is no longer just about financial control. It is becoming the operational backbone that connects purchasing, inventory, projects, people, and reporting in one system. 

For organisations considering their next step, the most important question is not whether to modernise, but how. 

Planning your ERP for 2026 and beyond? 

If you’re reviewing ERP options or questioning whether your current system will keep up, the most important step is asking the right questions early. 

Not about features. About fit. 

Strong mid-market businesses are asking: 

• does our system reflect how we actually work, or are we relying on workarounds? 

• will it scale as projects, teams, and reporting grow? 

• is there practical, embedded AI that reduces manual effort day to day? 

• what local support is available when things change? 

• can we see real outcomes from businesses like ours? 

ERP decisions tend to stay in place for years. Getting clarity now avoids rework, disruption, and unnecessary cost later. 

At AlphaBiz, we help Australian mid-market businesses work through these questions objectively, starting with your workflows and pressure points before discussing systems. 

If you want a clear view of whether your current ERP will keep up in 2026 and beyond, you can book a time with us to walk through your systems and identify where improvements would deliver the most value.