SAP S/4HANA Training: Lessons from SAP Boot Camp

SAP S/4HANA Training

Last week we hosted our first SAP S/4HANA Boot Camp training. This small, hands-on workshop featured a number of digital transformation team members attending in person, along with teams attending remotely via web conference. Though I was one of the facilitators of the training, I learn something new every time I conduct workshops like these. […]

ERP Implementation Risk: Key Pitfalls to Avoid

ERP Implementation Risk

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 […]

ASUG Sapphire 2019: A Mere Speedbump for SAP?

ASUG Sapphire 2019

Having attended Sapphire in the past I was prepared for long days, warm weather, fantastic networking and a renewed faith in SAP. I left with all but the latter. Several folks I talked to commented on a “lack of energy” across the conference and a sense of tiredness. Tiredness not from the attendees after long […]

Big ERP Systems Integrators Exposed

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: […]

Preparing for a SAP SuccessFactors or Workday Implementation

SAP SuccessFactors or Workday Implementation

If there is one thing that we have learned from our lessons from 1,000 HCM implementations, it is that your level of transformation success hinges on the things you do before you ever start. There are a number of best practices that should drive how you prepare for your SAP SuccessFactors or Workday implementation. Cliff […]

ERP Vendor Negotiations: Can You Negotiate Too Hard?

ERP Vendor Negotiations

While not common, we have seen situations where companies implementing ERP software press a little too much. Generally, ERP vendors will walk away when the terms fall out of their favor, but there are times when they may enter into an agreement that they are not fully comfortable with. When negotiating, there are two things […]

SAP vs. Oracle: An Overview of the ERP Software Leaders

SAP vs. Oracle

SAP ERP and ERP in Oracle – Which one proves to be a better ERP system? SAP vs. Oracle is a comparison that many complex businesses make when considering their digital transformation options. The question of which brand can provide a better Enterprise Resource Planning software has always depended on the unique characteristics of different […]

Should John Elway Implement ERP Software or Coach Football?

Implement ERP Software

The obvious answer is certainly football, but the real answer may be neither. Similar to hiring an ERP system implementer where there is an urge to go for the big name, call it Accenture, Deloitte, Capgemini, etc., you may be better off with a second or third tier football coach. Before hiring John to coach […]

Digital Transformation: The Art of the Possible?

The Art of the Possible

By Sam Graham Companies tend to fall into two extremes in their digital transformations: there are those who expect far too much from their transformations, and then there are those that expect far too little. There are also those that fall somewhere in between, but it helps to look at both extremes for illustrative purposes. […]

Lessons from a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Failure

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Failure

Late last month I received a call from a CIO that I have known for about 13 years. He and I have worked together over the course of his roles at three different companies, so I know him fairly well. But this phone call was different than others I have received from him in the […]

Comparison of SAP SuccessFactors vs. Workday HCM Software

SuccessFactors vs. Workday HCM Software

Recently we participated in anHCM conference that opened our eyes to new comparisons and discussions about the differences and similarities between SAP SuccessFactors vs. Workday HCM software. Both products are the most comprehensive of their kind in today’s market, but like all things software related, it’s important to understand the different things that your business […]

Should We Upgrade from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA?

SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA

This is one of the more common questions across the industry with no clear answer: should we upgrade to SAP S/4HANA?With limited case studies of successful migrations, companies looking to upgrade their SAP ECC platforms have a tough decision to make. With the available speed of HANA and integration of emerging technologies to provide competitive […]