Big ERP Is Becoming Obsolete — What’s Replacing It
For decades, monolithic ERP suites from vendors like SAP and Oracle promised a single system to run the business. But like Blockbuster ignoring Netflix or BlackBerry underestimating the iPhone, big ERP has missed where the market is headed. The category isn’t disappearing overnight—but its role is shrinking fast, and the operating model that surrounds it […]
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 For decades, the conventional wisdom in enterprise software has been this: if your ERP is outdated, it’s time for a rip-and-replace — tear it out and start fresh.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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
If ERP Systems Were NHL Teams
In the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, success requires strategy, adaptability, and execution—the same key ingredients for a Stanley Cup-winning hockey team. Some ERP systems are like historical powerhouses, dominating their industries for decades, while others are up-and-coming challengers, looking to disrupt the status quo. Likewise, in the NHL, you have storied franchises […]
The Love-Hate Relationship with ERP Software: Why It Drives Me Crazy
ERP software is often seen as a game-changer for organizations looking to streamline operations and improve efficiency. But here’s the reality—ERP implementations are notorious for cost overruns, business disruptions, and failed expectations. After 25 years in ERP consulting, I have worked with every major ERP system—SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, NetSuite, and more. And while […]
Top ERP Solutions in the USA: Navigating Options for Manufacturing and Energy Companies
When evaluating ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems in the USA, one of the most common questions is: What is the top ERP solution for manufacturing companies and energy companies? The answer, however, isn’t one-size-fits-all—it largely depends on the specific needs and challenges of each industry. In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences, highlight […]
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 […]
Oracle ERP Cloud vs. Oracle NetSuite : Une comparaison indépendante par un tiers
Au fil des années où nous avons fourni notre classement annuel des meilleurs systèmes ERP indépendamment de la technologie, nous n’avons jamais vu un classement comme celui de 2020. Non seulement il y avait des surprises sur la liste – en particulier avec ServiceNow, Workday et SAP S/4HANA – mais certains produits de fournisseurs se […]