Why ERP Vendors are Partying Like it’s 1999
The big ERP vendors and their systems integrators seem to be having a field day lately. Forced upgrades, shifting customers from one-time payments to recurring revenue models going into perpetuity, and a larger share of IT spend are just a few of the things lining the vendors’ pockets. In other words, they are partying like […]
How ERP Software Industry Hoaxes Lead to ERP Failure
Big ERP vendors can sell software and services like nobody’s business. Companies such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Infor, and others have created monstrous machines capable of turning even the biggest skeptics into converts. But it all comes at a cost. In their quest for technology dominance, the vendors and their respective ecosystems have – presumably […]
Why Do ERP Implementations Really Fail?
I have spent the better part of 20 years trying to help clients crack the code on why ERP implementations fail. It first started to click 12 years ago when I was engaged for my first ERP expert witness engagement for one of the highest profile lawsuits that the industry has seen. In this and […]
How to Minimize ERP Implementation Costs
ERP implementations are not known to be the cheapest things an organization can invest in to improve their business. That being said, enterprise software is considered to be an essential asset for manufacturers, distributors, and other business leaders. Businesses without effective ERP systems tend to struggle with accurate data, while their business processes tend to […]
Welcome to the Machine of Digital Transformation
As Pink Floyd once said: “Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.” For all we know, they could have been talking about the future of digital transformation when they released the song 40 years ago. The dark side of digital transformation As a recovering Big 5 SAP consultant, I have seen the dark side of […]
Signs of an Underperforming ERP Project Manager
When an ERP implementation starts heading south, everyone starts to point fingers in one direction or another, and usually it’s towards the vendor. Core teams march with torches and pitchforks screaming that the vendor is mismanaging their project and nobody internally takes responsibility. In a recent post, we talked about how clients hold ultimate responsibility […]
Fatal Flaws in the Digital Transformation and ERP Software Industry
Earlier this week, I met with the CFO of a client that we recently helped select ERP software for and are about to start implementation with. He mentioned that he is generally excited about his upcoming transformation – until he reads one of my blogs or watches one of my videos on my YouTube channel. […]
Managing Stress During ERP Implementation
Pretty much anyone who speaks of their past experiences with an ERP implementation jokes about hair loss, weight gain, insomnia, irritability, etc. Essentially, it STRESSED THEM OUT. In fact, this is a key finding from our 2019 ERP Report. My question is, why do we let this happen? We’re not going to answer this question […]
ERP Failure: Is it Time to Take it on the Run?
I have recently been listening to some of the classic hits from REO Speedwagon. As they once said in their heyday, “you’re under the gun, so you take it on the run.” I heard this particular song (“Take it on the Run”) while I was writing my recent blog about Revlon’s SAP failure, so I […]
ERP System Integrator vs. Customer: Who Is Really to Blame for your Implementation Challenges?
Last week, Eric Kimberling published a blog on exposing the big ERP system integrators, highlighting quotes from consultants within some of the larger firms and confirming the concept of being “Accentured” or “Deloitted.” It is a real phenomenon and something to definitely watch for both before and during an implementation. While SIs and VARs (Value […]
ERP Implementation Risk: Key Pitfalls to Avoid
Implementing any new software for your company is always filled with promise and usually provides a positive to your business for the long run. But as we outlined in our 2019 ERP Report, it is important to be aware of ERP implementation risk as well. With an ERP implementation there is a lot of potential […]
Big ERP Systems Integrators Exposed
Disclaimer: This article contains quotes from multiple sources, which we have not cited for confidentiality purposes. Third Stage Consulting is an independent, technology-agnostic firm that is not affiliated with any of the ERP software vendors or systems integrators mentioned in this article. After the French Revolutions in the 1800s, a famous French writer once wrote: […]