For lower middle market (LMM) private equity firms, technology modernization is more than an IT upgrade—it’s a direct path to operational efficiency, EBITDA growth, and higher exit valuations. Yet, many portfolio companies still rely on outdated ERP systems, fragmented data environments, and manual workflows that limit scalability, slow operations, and introduce avoidable risk. 

Despite its importance, technology due diligence in LMM deals often lacks rigor—focusing on surface-level IT assessments while overlooking how legacy systems and inefficient processes impact portfolio performance and resilience. This oversight can delay integration synergies, increase working capital inefficiencies, and create unforeseen risks that erode value post-acquisition. 

For PE firms that take a proactive approach, closing this technology gap represents an untapped opportunity to enhance portfolio performance, improve visibility into operations, and mitigate risks that could otherwise disrupt value creation plans. 

Recent research highlights the measurable impact of ERP modernization in driving operational efficiencies across PE-backed companies. According to  KPMG’s 2023 CEO Survey, of PE-backed companies that implemented modern ERP systems: 

• 95% reported tangible operational improvements 

• 40% achieved reductions in IT costs 

• 38% decreased their inventory levels 

• 35% shortened their cycle times 

At Kenway Consulting, we've developed a first principles framework for ERP modernization and digital transformation, designed to help PE firms systematically unlock value from technology investments. 

The Problem: Technical Debt and Its Hidden Costs 

When evaluating acquisitions or portfolio performance, private equity firms frequently uncover technology environments plagued by inefficiencies, including: 

• Disparate systems managing core business functions, leading to data inconsistencies and reporting gaps. 

• Reliance on tribal knowledge and manual workflows, increasing business continuity risk. 

• Legacy, on-premise ERP systems requiring specialized maintenance and costly workarounds that limit agility. 

• Excel-dependent processes for financial reporting, inventory management, and production planning—hindering scalability and automation. 

• Limited real-time visibility into operations, making it difficult to support data-driven decision-making. 

• Insufficient change management and user adoption programs, leading to resistance that undermines technology investments. 

These technical inefficiencies directly erode EBITDA and enterprise value by: 

• Driving up labor costs and slowing revenue realization due to operational inefficiencies. 

• Creating business continuity vulnerabilities through reliance on outdated or unsupported systems. 

• Restricting scalability—companies with fragmented ERP and data environments struggle to integrate acquisitions, optimize supply chains, and expand into new markets. 

These inefficiencies are often symptoms of accumulated technical debt—a silent killer of technology modernization efforts. According to McKinsey, technical debt accounts for 40% of the average IT balance sheet, absorbing capital that could otherwise fuel innovation and growth. Companies spend an additional 10% to 20% on top of project costs just to manage existing tech debt, further diverting resources from strategic priorities. Organizations with high levels of technical debt are also 40% more likely to experience failed or incomplete IT modernization initiatives, directly impacting scalability and competitiveness. 

Without addressing these barriers, PE firms risk leaving value on the table. Poorly integrated legacy systems and inefficient processes reduce portfolio attractiveness at exit, hinder synergy realization, and slow down post-acquisition value creation. 

A First Principles Framework for Technology Modernization 

Rather than treating ERP modernization as a software implementation exercise, LMM private equity firms should approach it from first principles—breaking down the business’s core objectives, processes, and inefficiencies before making technology decisions. 

At Kenway Consulting, we guide PE-backed companies through a structured framework that ensures ERP modernization drives measurable business impact. 

1. Define Clear Business Objectives Before Selecting Technology 

Before evaluating ERP vendors or automation tools, companies must first articulate their business goals and value drivers: 

• Revenue growth targets—How can technology support a higher transaction volume or improved pricing strategy? 

• Operational efficiency benchmarks—What are the KPIs for reducing manual processes and overhead costs? 

• Customer satisfaction and service metrics—How can technology enable a seamless customer experience? 

• Scalability objectives—What capabilities are needed to integrate acquisitions or expand into new markets? 

2. Strip Away Non-Essential Complexity Before ERP Upgrades 

Many legacy ERP environments have accumulated unnecessary complexity over time, resulting in bloated processes and inefficiencies. Before modernizing, simplify: 

• Eliminate redundant approval workflows that slow down decision-making. 

• Automate financial reconciliation processes to reduce errors and manual labor. 

• Remove legacy procedures that exist only due to system limitations from outdated ERPs. 

• Establish clear data ownership by identifying who is responsible for cleaning and qualifying data—critical for successful ERP migration. 

3. Simplify Before Automating: A Common Pitfall in ERP Modernization 

One of the biggest mistakes PE-backed companies make is automating broken processes instead of fixing them first. ERP systems should not just digitize inefficiencies—they should optimize and streamline business operations before automation is applied. Our approach emphasizes: 

• Map current workflows to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and inefficiencies before ERP implementation. 

• Redesign processes for scalability and efficiency—removing unnecessary manual interventions before introducing automation. 

• Ensure data integrity and governance to prevent garbage-in, garbage-out scenarios, where automation only exacerbates poor data quality. 

• Create an execution roadmap—defining the sequence of process improvements before ERP implementation ensures smooth adoption and better ROI. 

Beyond process simplification, LMM PE firms often face budget constraints and operational disruption concerns. We develop tailored implementation strategies that can identify high-impact, lower-cost improvements while minimizing business disruption risks based on each portfolio company's specific situation. 

4. Implement Right-Sized Solutions for PE Investment Horizons 

Not every portfolio company needs a full ERP replacement. Some benefit more from incremental improvements, such as custom application development to modernize key workflows, while others require a complete system overhaul. The right approach depends on: 

By aligning ERP modernization strategies with the firm’s investment timeline, PE firms can maximize returns without over-investing in unnecessary complexity. 

Case Study: Technology Modernization in Action 

A mid-market e-commerce wholesaler specializing in specialty products faced significant growth limitations due to antiquated technology and fragmented IT infrastructure. Kenway Consulting conducted a comprehensive IT Platform Assessment to identify modernization opportunities aligned with business objectives. 

Our solution included transitioning from single-resource IT partners to implementing a scalable cloud infrastructure centered around Dynamics 365 and Azure services. This transformation reduced dependency on specialized IT resources while establishing a scalable, extensible foundation for growth. The modernization delivered actionable operational insights that directly impacted margin optimization and topline growth—transforming technology from a back-office function into a strategic value driver. 
Read the full case study here. 

Next Steps: Unlocking Value Through ERP Modernization  

While ERP modernization is complex, PE firms can take immediate action: 

1. Conduct a Portfolio-Wide ERP Health Assessment – Identify which companies have scalable technology and which are at risk due to outdated systems. 

2. Look for Quick Wins in Process Optimization – Identify high-impact improvements that can enhance efficiency without major system overhauls. 

3. Prioritize Modernization Efforts Based on EBITDA Impact – Focus on high-ROI initiatives that improve margins, scalability, and operational resilience. 

Beyond ERP: A Structured Approach to PE Value Creation 
ERP modernization is just one lever for maximizing ROI in private equity. A structured technology strategy across the full investment lifecycle—from pre-acquisition due diligence to post-acquisition modernization—can further enhance EBITDA and portfolio-wide synergies. Learn more about optimizing technology strategies for PE investments here. 

Why Partner with Kenway? 

At Kenway Consulting, we work alongside private equity firms and their portfolio companies to transform ERP modernization from a challenge into a strategic advantage. Here's what sets our approach apart: 

• Vendor-Neutral Technology Expertise: Unlike software vendors that lead with product sales, Kenway provides unbiased guidance—recommending only what your portfolio companies truly need, whether that's a full ERP replacement or targeted enhancements to existing systems. 

• Cross-Practice Approach: Our integrated teams combine ERP implementation expertise with data strategy specialists who ensure proper data governance and migration—critical elements that often determine project success or failure. 

• Validated Selection Methodology: Our structured evaluation framework helps PE firms select technology solutions that align with both operational needs and investment timelines, avoiding costly over-implementation. 

• Proven Track Record in LMM: We understand the unique constraints and opportunities within lower middle market portfolio companies, having successfully guided numerous PE-backed businesses through technology transformations aligned with value creation timelines. 

If your firm is navigating ERP challenges or modernization roadblocks, let's connect. Our team can assess your portfolio's ERP landscape and develop a pragmatic roadmap tailored to your investment strategy. 

Contact us at [email protected] to start the conversation.