Unlocking the Third Stage Consulting Digital Transformation Playbook: 10 Steps to Success
Since founding Third Stage Consulting several years ago, we’ve refined and elevated our methodology through experience with more than 400 clients around the world — and counting over 1,000 implementations across our team’s collective background. Today, we’re lifting the curtain on the 10-step playbook that has become the backbone of our client engagements and digital […]
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 […]
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 […]
Has Your Business Outgrown QuickBooks? Signs It’s Time to Scale Your Technology
From QuickBooks to Scalability: The Inflection Point for Growing Businesses Small businesses often launch with minimal tech: QuickBooks, spreadsheets, and a handful of manual workflows. But what happens when your customer expectations begin to mirror Amazon’s—and your internal systems can’t keep up? That’s the inflection point where many companies find themselves today. Customers expect real-time […]
Tyler Technologies: The Public Sector ERP Powerhouse You Shouldn’t Ignore
What Is Tyler Technologies? A Public Sector ERP Giant Tyler Technologies is one of the leading providers of ERP software specifically built for public sector organizations. While it doesn’t have the name recognition of SAP or Oracle, Tyler powers thousands of municipalities, counties, and state agencies across the United States. Unlike traditional ERP vendors that […]
How ERP Software Almost Killed Gummy Bears: Lessons from Haribo’s SAP Failure
By Eric Kimberling, CEO of Third Stage Consulting Yes, you read that right—ERP software nearly ruined gummy bears. Several years ago, Haribo, the beloved German candy company behind those colorful, chewy bears, ran into a digital disaster during their SAP ERP implementation. The failure wasn’t just an inconvenience—it led to major supply chain issues during […]
Why Your Employees Aren’t Ready for Digital Transformation (Even If You Think They Are)
Digital transformation promises growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage — but for most organizations, the biggest challenge isn’t technology. It’s people. If you think your team is fully ready for a transformation initiative, you’re probably wrong. In this article, we’ll explore four silent warning signs that your employees may be resisting change — not out of […]
Top 10 AI-Enabled ERP and Enterprise Technology Platforms in 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming the cornerstone of modern enterprise software. ERP vendors and enterprise tech providers are racing to embed AI into their platforms—not just for automation, but to drive intelligent decision-making, predictive insights, and adaptive business processes. But the AI maturity curve varies wildly. Some vendors are ahead of the curve, using […]
Why Current State Mapping Is Critical for Digital Transformation Success
The Starting Point for Any Digital Transformation Current state mapping is the essential first step in any digital transformation. Before you can optimize or automate a process, you need to understand how it works today. Whether you’re planning a large-scale ERP implementation, migrating to new systems, or reimagining your operations, this foundational exercise ensures you […]
D365 Integration Challenges and Why Industry Experience Matters
Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) can unlock major benefits for businesses—but it often comes with significant integration challenges, especially when connecting non-Microsoft tools or outdated legacy systems. These issues can slow down deployments, introduce errors, or create long-term technical debt. In this blog, we’ll break down the most common D365 integration challenges companies face and […]
How to Deploy a Digital Transformation and ERP Project at (Almost) No Cost
Digital transformation and ERP projects are notorious for costing too much — but they don’t have to.If you’re looking to modernize your business without breaking the bank, it’s time to rethink the traditional approach. At Third Stage Consulting, we help clients worldwide achieve successful digital transformations without overspending. In this blog, we’ll share practical strategies […]