Why Technology Project Failures Land in Court — And What Expert Witnesses Really See
It’s an unfortunate but unavoidable truth: some digital transformation and ERP projects go so far off the rails that they land in the courtroom. At that point, clients often hire consulting firms like ours to act as independent, unbiased expert witnesses, helping courts and legal teams understand exactly what went wrong, why it happened, and […]
Are SAP Projects Really More Prone to Failure? A Closer Look at ERP Implementation Risk
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) failures have long been a source of frustration, finger-pointing, and costly lessons across industries. Over time, one software name seems to appear more frequently than others in discussions of failed ERP implementations: SAP. From troubled supply chain rollouts to customer-facing disruptions, there is no shortage of stories highlighting SAP project struggles. […]
Why Software Vendors Get Your Digital Transformation Timeline Wrong
When embarking on a digital transformation, it’s easy to get swept up in the enthusiasm vendors bring to the table. They offer glossy demos, confident digital transformation timelines, and an implementation roadmap that seems simple and straightforward. But here’s the truth: those timelines are usually wrong.Not because the software doesn’t work—but because your organization isn’t […]
Technology Can Shape Culture—If You Let It
When most companies start a digital transformation, their focus is usually on upgrading outdated systems, scaling operations, or boosting productivity. But what often gets overlooked is how those very systems influence your company’s culture. At Third Stage Consulting, we’ve worked with organizations around the world to help them rethink not only how their technology works—but […]
Root Causes of Digital Transformation Failure: It’s Not Just the Tech
When organizations struggle during digital transformations, they often point fingers at the most visible culprits: a buggy system, an unhelpful vendor, or rising costs. But the reality is more complex. These common complaints are often symptoms, not root causes. To understand why digital transformations truly fail—and how to fix them—we have to dig deeper. Why […]
What’s the ROI of a Dancing Panda? Why Every Digital Transformation Needs a Clear Strategy
Spoiler alert: It’s not about the panda. It’s about purpose. We live in an era where nearly anything is possible with technology. AI. Automation. Real-time data lakes. Predictive analytics. Virtual assistants. You name it—someone’s already building it. So the question is no longer what you can do in a digital transformation. It’s what you should […]
Where Are the Women in Tech? A Candid Look at Challenges, Progress, and What Comes Next
By Third Stage Consulting According to recent statistics, only 35% of the tech workforce is made up of women. That number speaks volumes — and not in a good way. Despite decades of progress across industries, technology remains one of the most male-dominated spaces in the professional world. So, we hit the ground at Epicor’s […]
The Unique ERP Needs of Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers and Distributors
By Eric Kimberling, CEO of Third Stage Consulting When most people think about ERP and digital transformation, they picture large enterprises with big budgets and full-time project teams. But the reality is, small and mid-sized manufacturing and distribution companies face just as much complexity — if not more — when it comes to upgrading their […]
Top 7 ERP Software Selection Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them
By Eric Kimberling, CEO of Third Stage Consulting When it comes to ERP software, companies often think the biggest risk is choosing the wrong system. But in reality? The bigger danger is picking the right software — and then failing in how you select, implement, and integrate it. After working with hundreds of organizations across […]
Choosing the Right ERP for Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers: Don’t Overlook the Underdogs
A Strategic Guide to Evaluating Vendors, Aligning Tech with Growth, and Avoiding Common ERP Mistakes Why ERP Selection Matters More Than Ever for SMB Manufacturers If you’re running a small or mid-sized manufacturing or distribution company, you’re likely feeling the pressure to modernize. Disconnected systems, manual processes, and legacy software may have worked in the […]
Technology Strategies for Small and Midsize Manufacturers and Distributors
Why Smaller Manufacturers Are Rethinking Their Core Systems Small and midsize manufacturing and distribution companies are at a unique inflection point. Many are still relying on aging systems like QuickBooks, Excel spreadsheets, or legacy ERPs that weren’t designed for today’s dynamic supply chains or customer expectations. The top two reasons these companies look to upgrade […]
Is Your ERP System Ready for AI? Here’s How to Tell
ERP System Readiness for AI Starts with Data When organizations ask if their ERP system is “ready for AI,” they’re usually asking the wrong question. AI is system agnostic. It doesn’t matter whether you’re running a modern cloud-based ERP or a 20-year-old on-prem solution. What matters most? Your data. Before exploring AI capabilities, your first […]