Why SAP’s ROI Problem and AI’s Rise Signal the End of “Business as Usual” in Enterprise Tech
For decades, enterprise software vendors have dictated the rules of the game. They told you when to upgrade, what to pay, and how to align your business strategy with their product roadmap. But in 2025, that dynamic is shifting — and not in the vendors’ favor. Two themes stand out from today’s digital landscape: Let’s […]
5 Shocking Whistleblower Claims About SAP S/4HANA!
At least five whistleblowers have come forward in recent months — and they all share one thing in common: frustration with how SAP S/4HANA implementations are being sold, scoped, and executed. At Third Stage Consulting, we’re often brought in after the fact — to rescue troubled projects, rebuild trust, and reset strategy. And in the […]
Why Most SAP Customers Still Haven’t Moved to S/4HANA
And why that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Despite SAP’s aggressive push to migrate its customer base to S/4HANA, the reality on the ground tells a very different story. A recent study from SAP Insider reveals a staggering truth: 35,000 SAP customers haven’t even started their S/4HANA transformations, and another 30,000 haven’t completed the move. […]
What SAP Doesn’t Want You to Know About ECC, S/4HANA, and Your Real Options
The ERP world is at a boiling point — especially for SAP customers. If you’ve invested heavily in ECC and SAP is already pressuring you to jump to S/4HANA, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth SAP doesn’t want you to know: you don’t have to follow their timeline — or their narrative. You have […]
Are SAP Projects Really More Prone to Failure? A Closer Look at ERP Implementation Risk
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) failures have long been a source of frustration, finger-pointing, and costly lessons across industries. Over time, one software name seems to appear more frequently than others in discussions of failed ERP implementations: SAP. From troubled supply chain rollouts to customer-facing disruptions, there is no shortage of stories highlighting SAP project struggles. […]
Why ERP Software Alone Won’t Save Your Digital Transformation Strategy
Why ERP Software Alone Won’t Save Your Digital Transformation Strategy Digital transformation is more than implementing ERP software. Companies often believe that investing in platforms like SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion, or Microsoft Dynamics will automatically modernize operations and solve strategic challenges. But here’s the truth: ERP software alone won’t save you. To succeed in today’s […]
Only 30% of SAP Customers Are Happy – Here’s Why
A recent AI analysis of thousands of social media comments revealed something shocking—but not surprising for those deep in the ERP world: only 30% of people have anything positive to say about SAP, specifically its flagship S/4HANA platform. Another 30% spoke negatively, while the remaining 40% remained neutral. This net approval score of zero might […]
Lidl’s $600 Million SAP Disaster: What Went Wrong and What Every Business Can Learn
In the rapidly evolving digital economy, enterprise software implementations are no longer optional—they’re essential. But when done poorly, they can lead to catastrophic outcomes. One of the most glaring examples in recent years is Lidl’s failed SAP implementation. The German-based global grocery chain invested a staggering $600 million into modernizing its enterprise systems—only to abandon […]
Why I Hate SAP S/4HANA – And How You Can Still Make It Work
SAP S/4HANA is widely recognized as a leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. It’s used by some of the largest companies in the world and often positioned as the future of enterprise technology. But behind the glossy marketing and enterprise-grade features, many organizations are struggling with serious challenges tied to S/4HANA—challenges that are often only […]
The SAP Resource Shortage: A Key Factor in Catastrophic Implementations
The world of enterprise software is facing a growing crisis—an alarming shortage of skilled SAP consultants. As businesses scramble to upgrade their legacy systems to S/4HANA before the 2030 deadline, the demand for experienced resources is far outpacing supply. But what does this mean for businesses implementing SAP? And does this shortage contribute to the […]
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 […]
The Most Important SAP S/4HANA Trends That You Need to Know [Grow, RISE, AI, 2027 Deadline, etc.]
Today, we’re delving into the challenges family-owned businesses face, particularly when transitioning from generation to generation, and exploring strategies for sustainable growth and success.