Rethink the Rip-and-Replace: 5 Reasons Why ERP Modernization Doesn’t Have to Mean Starting Over
Is “Rip and Replace” Still the Right Answer in 2025? For decades, the conventional wisdom in enterprise software has been this: if your ERP is outdated, it’s time for a rip-and-replace — tear it out and start fresh. Vendors love this idea — and why wouldn’t they? A full replacement means bigger contracts, longer implementations, […]
Cutting ERP Costs Without Cutting Corners
Most ERP projects don’t go over budget because of the software.They go over because of poor planning, bloated timelines, and the wrong people making the wrong decisions at the wrong time — all of which drive up ERP costs unnecessarily. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. At Third Stage Consulting, we’ve […]
Ripping Off the Band-Aid: The Truth About ERP Upgrades in the Cloud Era
Meta Description: The Upgrade Question: A Cloud-Era Reality Check When Chris on LinkedIn asked whether ERP providers would be pushing new platform versions that companies would be forced to adopt, it hit a nerve. Upgrades are one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of ERP strategy. They’re time-consuming. They’re expensive. And they can disrupt your entire […]
ERP Is Dead… Sort Of: Why the Future of Enterprise Tech Is Bigger Than ERP
By Third Stage Consulting “ERP is dead.”It’s a bold statement—and maybe a little dramatic—but the truth is this: ERP software as we’ve known it is no longer the uncontested king of enterprise technology. Organizations are waking up to a new reality. They don’t always need to rip and replace a legacy system with a massive, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why This $25 Billion Steel Company Succeeded in ERP Implementation When So Many Fail
When most headlines shout about failed ERP implementations and digital transformations, the success stories often go untold. But understanding what makes a transformation succeed is just as critical—if not more—than dissecting what went wrong. In this blog, we highlight a case study of a $25 billion multinational steel company that defied the odds and executed […]
The Complexities of Government Digital Transformation: 6 Challenges and Risks
Government digital transformation comes with a massive challenge—moving from highly customized, disconnected systems to a single, standardized platform. Unlike businesses that have the flexibility to adopt new technology quickly, government agencies must work within strict regulations, security requirements, and complex governance structures. This makes large-scale IT transformations not just a technical hurdle but an organizational […]
The Evolution of Custom Development: Is It Really Overrated?
In the ever-evolving world of enterprise technology, the debate around custom development (custom Dev) remains a hot topic. Some argue that it is overrated and only necessary in a small number of cases due to its high costs, ongoing maintenance, and the challenge of future-proofing. Others, however, believe that custom Dev is essential for organizations […]
How SPAR Group’s $100 Million SAP Implementation Turned into a Costly Failure
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations are high-stakes endeavors. Organizations invest hundreds of millions of dollars to modernize their systems, optimize operations, and drive digital transformation. However, not every implementation is a success. Some, unfortunately, turn into costly disasters. One such case is the SAP S/4HANA implementation at SPAR Group, a multinational food retailer based in […]