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 For decades, the conventional wisdom in enterprise software has been this: if your ERP is outdated, it’s time for a rip-and-replace — tear it out and start fresh.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 […]
AI in ERP: What Customers Want vs. What They Fear
Why adoption is lagging—and how to move forward with clarity and control. AI is no longer a futuristic concept in enterprise tech. It’s here. It’s embedded in your ERP, your analytics, your workflows. And just like cloud five years ago, AI is quickly becoming a non-negotiable. But while organizations recognize they must embrace AI, many […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why Emerging ERP Systems Deserve Your Attention
In the ever-evolving world of enterprise resource planning (ERP), many companies instinctively gravitate toward well-known, “household name” solutions when searching for a new system. However, this tendency to prioritize big brands often leads to the oversight of emerging or smaller ERP vendors that might actually provide a better fit for certain organizations. Let’s dive into […]
ERP for E-commerce: A Complete Guide
This article aims to delve into the world of ERP systems in the context of e-commerce. It will cover the essential features of ERP systems that are particularly beneficial for online businesses, explore the tangible benefits these systems offer, and provide guidance on choosing the right ERP solution tailored to specific business needs. Additionally, the guide will discuss strategies for successful ERP implementation, showcase real-world case studies of e-commerce businesses that have transformed through ERP integration, and offer a glimpse into future trends and technological advancements in the field of ERP for e-commerce.
The Role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in Financial Management
We will also guide you through the crucial steps of selecting and implementing the right Enterprise Resource Planning system tailored to your financial management needs. Additionally, we will peek into the future, examining emerging trends that are set to further revolutionize financial management. By the end of this blog, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the indispensable role of ERP systems in modern financial management, equipping you with the knowledge to harness their full potential for your business’s success.