Alternatives to Replacing Your ERP System
More and more, companies are questioning the validity of a full-suite ERP replacement and wonder if it is really worth the time, cost and risk. Years ago, when companies were transferring from pure manual processes this was an easy decision as the benefits came without question. Today, with most organizations already having some degree of […]
Supply Chain, Chain, Chain – Chain of Fools
“Every chain has got a weak link,” as Aretha would belt out in her hit song. In a recent blog titled The Strategy of ERP Implementation, I outlined several strategies that are a must for a strong foundation for a successful ERP implementation. Important strategies such as having an Organizational Change Management Strategy and an […]
Considering a NetSuite Implementation? You’re Not Alone.
In Third Stage’s top 10 ERP system rankings of 2020, Oracle NetSuite landed in first place. In addition to functionality, one of the reasons for its placement was the growing presence and foothold it has in the marketplace. This does not appear to be changing. We are talking to many companies that are moving towards […]
Confessions of an ERP Expert Witness
About 12 years ago, I received a phone call from an attorney. After a few brief moments of panic trying to think of who I may have made angry enough to sue me, I realized that it was not a legal matter against me, but a career-defining business opportunity. I had just started my previous […]
The Strategy of ERP Implementation
Organizations large and small often seek the assistance of ERP consultants. Companies realize that ERP initiatives are complex, and an effective ERP consultant is a different type of independent resource that can add to your chances of success. While companies seek guidance for a variety of help, software selection and implementation are two of the […]
How to Negotiate with Your ERP / HCM Vendor
After what may have been a long evaluation process, you have finally determined which ERP and HCM systems will help you achieve your digital strategies for 2020 and beyond. This is the technology that will drive business process improvements and your operational foundation for the coming years or decades. Now what? Now it’s time to […]
Why Organizational Change Management Is So Frustrating
We recently published an article entitled Organizational Change Management is Dead. While the “death” of a practice may be extreme, we hear terms ranging from monotony, frustration, disgust and even hatred when referring to the concept of OCM. Why is this? Everyone acknowledges and nobody questions the importance of managing change during a digital transformation, […]
The Coronavirus and Manufacturing ERP
Reflecting back, it was pretty clear that 2019 was a transitionary year for manufacturing. Output was down, and tariffs and trade policies were a large part of the reason. Call it “political instability” that caused some manufacturers to hesitate or postpone capital investments in machinery or tech (including ERP) that could make them more efficient […]
Why “Vanilla ERP” Doesn’t (and Can’t) Exist
Whenever I hear a client tell me “we just want a vanilla, out-of-the-box solution”, my heart sinks. I know that I now have the unenviable task of gently persuading the client that the term really doesn’t exist and that it’s an ERP industry hoax, just like “accelerators” and “standard process models.” Some clients get it, […]
Independent Review of Workday HCM Software
Workday is one of the most common HCM systems in the market today. Along with Oracle HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, Ultimate UltiPro, and other common options, HR and HRIS departments have plenty of options to choose from. It is also one of the up-and-coming systems with lots of momentum behind it. The company and its software […]
Executive Buy-In: The Final Frontier to ERP Success
Why is executive buy-in so darn hard and fraught with surprises? Well the answers are many, and in this blog, we’ll explore a few that you may not have considered. Executive buy-in is a subset of organizational change management (OCM) and more than just terminology. An effective and well thought out OCM strategy is critical […]
How to Ensure ERP Success vs. Failure
It seems that ERP failures are becoming increasingly common in recent months and years. Lidl, Haribo, and Revlon are some of the more recent ones. Many of us still remember historic ERP nightmares such as Hershey’s, Nike, the US Department of Defense, and other well-publicized train wrecks (see the top 10 all-time ERP failures here). […]