Defining Your Digital Strategy: Top Technology Trends You Can’t Afford to Ignore

digital strategy

Why Digital Strategy Starts with the Right Technology Trends As digital transformation accelerates, leaders are asking the right question: Which technology trends should guide our digital strategy? The answer isn’t just about adopting the flashiest tools—it’s about building a strong, flexible foundation that enables sustainable change. Whether you’re migrating to the cloud or evaluating AI-driven […]

Tyler Technologies: The Public Sector ERP Powerhouse You Shouldn’t Ignore

tyler technologies

What Is Tyler Technologies? A Public Sector ERP Giant Tyler Technologies is one of the leading providers of ERP software specifically built for public sector organizations. While it doesn’t have the name recognition of SAP or Oracle, Tyler powers thousands of municipalities, counties, and state agencies across the United States. Unlike traditional ERP vendors that […]

How ERP Software Almost Killed Gummy Bears: Lessons from Haribo’s SAP Failure

ERP

By Eric Kimberling, CEO of Third Stage Consulting Yes, you read that right—ERP software nearly ruined gummy bears. Several years ago, Haribo, the beloved German candy company behind those colorful, chewy bears, ran into a digital disaster during their SAP ERP implementation. The failure wasn’t just an inconvenience—it led to major supply chain issues during […]

Why Your Employees Aren’t Ready for Digital Transformation (Even If You Think They Are)

digital transformation

Digital transformation promises growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage — but for most organizations, the biggest challenge isn’t technology. It’s people. If you think your team is fully ready for a transformation initiative, you’re probably wrong. In this article, we’ll explore four silent warning signs that your employees may be resisting change — not out of […]

5 Powerful Reasons Small Businesses Upgrade from QuickBooks to ERP Systems

small businesses

Small businesses are the engine of innovation, but many eventually hit a point where their foundational tools—like QuickBooks, spreadsheets, or homegrown systems—no longer support their growth. If you’re at that inflection point, you’re not alone. At Third Stage Consulting, we frequently help small businesses navigate the decision to implement ERP software. But what sparks this […]

5 Critical Reasons Executive Sponsorship Is Essential for Small Business ERP Success

executive sponsorship

ERP implementations are never easy—but for small businesses, they can be uniquely challenging. With fewer resources, tighter margins, and more hands-on leadership, small organizations must rely heavily on strong executive sponsorship to ensure digital transformation success. Whether you’re replacing outdated systems or rolling out new technology, the role of leadership—and more specifically, the executive sponsor—is […]

Top 10 AI-Enabled ERP and Enterprise Technology Platforms in 2025

ai

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming the cornerstone of modern enterprise software. ERP vendors and enterprise tech providers are racing to embed AI into their platforms—not just for automation, but to drive intelligent decision-making, predictive insights, and adaptive business processes. But the AI maturity curve varies wildly. Some vendors are ahead of the curve, using […]