Podcasts

Educational ERP Podcasts and Interviews

Review of Panorama Consulting’s 2012 ERP Report
Released May 7, 2012
Join Eric Kimberling for an in-depth discussion about the research and analysis presented in Panorama’s 2012 ERP Report. Data includes findings about ERP implementation budgets, timelines, deployment strategies, and business benefits received and was collected from companies who have implemented ERP software in the past year. Kimberling also compares 2012 findings to past ERP Report responses in order to identify noteworthy trends.

The Importance of Business Process Management in ERP Implementations
Released April 18, 2012
Panorama returns to its popular podcast series with The Importance of Business Process Management, a Q&A with Eric Kimberling about the need for companies to streamline and improve business processes prior to and/or during an ERP implementation. Topics discussed include the usefulness of industry “best practices” included with the ERP software, who within the company should be tasked with the business process restructuring, and the overall impact of process changes on an organization.

Lessons Learned from Best-In-Class ERP Implementations Q & A Session
Released September 8, 2010
This interview was taken from the Q&A session from Panorama’s recent webinar: Lessons Learned from Best-In-Class ERP Implementations. The podcast features Eric Kimberling, President of Panorama Consulting and Nick Macera, Panorama’s former Director of Implementation. The Q&A session brought up several key factors to take into consideration with respect to achieving a successful ERP implementation, and Eric and Nick offer some valuable advise regardless of what phase your are in with your ERP project.

Dangers, Pitfalls, and Warning Signs of ERP Implementation Failure and an Interview with Stan Alpert (Part Two)
Released June 28, 2010
Starting out this podcast is a Q&A session about ERP implementation failures. Eric Kimberling will elaborate on the pain points that contribute to the failure of an ERP implementation and how these pain points relate to project cost, duration and business benefits. Rounding out the session are Eric’s recommendations to avoid such a failure. In Part Two of the podcast, we pick up where we left off in our interview with Stan Alpert. Stan was the IT Manager with a mid-size manufacturing and distribution company who worked with Panorama during that company’s ERP software selection project. Stan discusses the process they followed in their selection project and how Panorama contributed to their successful selection and evaluation process and in negotiations with the selected vendor.

July 4th Edition: Eric Kimberling Talks Independence and an Interview with Stan Alpert (Part One)
Released June 25, 2010
For this Independence Day interview, Eric Kimberling discusses how independence relates to the ERP software industry, why it is so important to select an independent ERP consulting firm for your ERP selection and implementation project, and how you can tell if a consulting firm is truly independent. In Part Two of today’s podcast, we will introduce Stan Alpert who will share his experience in working with Panorama as a client on a selection project for a mid-size manufacturing and distribution company. Stan’s career in manufacturing and information technology spans over 30 years, and he offers invaluable insight into the world of ERP.

An Interview with Stan Alpert Discussing Software Selection
Released June 21, 2010
This podcast features Stan Alpert whose career spans more than 30 years with a mid-sized global manufacturer of pressure and temperature instruments. Stan held various management roles within the company in the areas of materials and operations, and he rounded out his career as IT Manager. This Q&A reveals his company’s approach to embarking on their ERP selection project and how this led to contacting Panorama Consulting to assist them with vendor selection and negotiations. Stan offers some great advice to companies that are looking to begin an ERP project and shares insightful information about necessary steps to take in finding the right ERP solution to support current and future business requirements as well as obtaining end user acceptance of the new system.

SAP vs. Oracle: Class of the Titans and a Q&A Session with Cliff Simms
Released May 20, 2010
Eric Kimberling talks about the main differences between SAP and Oracle in regard to their product offerings and features. He provides historical background on these two companies and how they’ve strategized to grow their respective businesses. In addition to outlining their strengths and weaknesses, Eric will share some advice on choosing between these two Tier I ERP systems. In the second half of the podcast Cliff Simms answers questions about the relationship between OCM and an ERP training team as well as the degree of OCM requirements between SAP and Oracle vs. those of Tier II or Tier III solutions. Cliff elaborates on the importance of OCM and its positive impact on companies going through an ERP implementation.

Getting Started on an ERP Software Selection Project
Released March 22, 2010
Part One of this podcast features an interview with Pete Faustino, Information Director for a mid-sized chemical manufacturing company. Pete will share his company’s experiences during their ERP selection project including the evaluation and negotiation processes. Pete has some valuable advise for any company considering an ERP implementation project. Natalie Gray, former Director of Software Selection for Panorama Consulting, is featured in Part Two of this podcast. Natalie outlines how to prepare for a software selection project; i.e., defining scope, organizing your project team, working with software vendors, and other key considerations to ensure your company selects the right software for your business requirements.

Two Part Interview With John Gibson on His ERP Implementation
Released February 26, 2010
This podcast features an interview with John Gibson, president of a mid-sized company that recently implemented an ERP solution to help the company scale for growth and save money in the long term. In this interview, John talks about the steps his company took to move up from a legacy software system to an efficient ERP solution. He walks us through the processes of software selection and vendor negotiation, as well as key considerations that companies should keep in mind when embarking on an ERP implementation project. In addition, John also shares tips and lessons learned from effectively implementing the new ERP in his organization.

Challenges of Gaining End-user Satisfaction with ERP System Implementations
Released February 26, 2010
In response to findings in Panorama’s 2010 ERP Report indicating relatively low satisfaction ratings by end users as well as company executives regarding ERP software implementations, this podcast reveals some important considerations companies should be aware of in order to optimize satisfaction levels. The second half of this podcast is a continuation of an interview with John Gibson, president of a mid-sized Colorado company, who highlights lessons learned from his company’s successful ERP implementation.

2010 ERP Report & Lessons Learned from a Successful ERP Implementation
Released February 8, 2010
Part One of this podcast features an overview by Eric Kimberling of Panorama’s 2010 ERP Report, which was published in early February. The interview focuses on key findings of the study, which covers trends in ERP implementation time frames and budgets, benefits realization, software as a service vs. on-premise ERP, and organizational change management. Part two of the podcast highlights an interview with John Gibson, president of a mid-size company in Denver, Colorado. John discusses the steps his company took to move up from a legacy software system to an efficient ERP solution and walks us through the processes of software selection and vendor negotiation, as well as key considerations that companies should keep in mind when embarking on an ERP implementation project.

A Look Back at 2009 and a Sneak Peak at Panorama Consulting Group’s 2010 ERP Report
Released January 26, 2010
This podcast provides an overview of ERP trends that developed in 2009 as businesses adjusted their ERP programs to the current economic climate. The interview also includes some insight into the impact these trends have had on the software industry. The second half of the interview provides a preview of the results of the 2010 ERP Report to be published in early February.

ERP Software Selection and Training
Released January 8, 2010
This 20-minute podcast features an interview with Natalie Gray, former Director of Software Selection, and covers the most important areas of consideration in ERP software selection including exploring your business critical requirements, future growth plans of the vendor, core training documentation, and gauging the importance of software integration.

The podcast also features an interview with Eric Kimberling, President of Panorama Consulting, where he provides valuable insights into a successful approach for employee training including an emphasis on customizing training to a company’s specific business processes, targeting training with the end-user in mind, initiating refresher training as needed, and customizing training documentation.

Recorded ERP Webinars

Focus ERP Roundtable: A Case Study in IT Failure: Marin County v Deloitte Consulting and SAP
Released May 4, 2011
Hosted by Michael Krigsman, CEO of Asuret, Inc., and featuring Eric Kimberling, President of Panorama Consulting and Francine McKenna, Managing Editor, re: The Auditors.com

Earlier this year, Marin County filed a racketeering (RICO) lawsuit against Deloitte Consulting and SAP. The suit takes litigation for IT failures to a new level and highlights the cost and waste associated with these failed projects. This roundtable teleconference brings together three experts to examine the lawsuit and discuss implications for the entire enterprise ecosystem, including lines of business, IT, software vendors, and services firms.

Click to listen to A Case Study in IT Failure.

Tips For Selecting the Right ERP Software For Your Organization
Released September 30, 2010
Hosted by Eric Kimberling, this webinar provided an overview of the ERP software market, discussed challenges associated with finding the right ERP software, and reviewed key considerations in evaluating ERP software options. The webinar also discussed the pros and cons of various types of ERP solutions, including traditional ERP, software as a service (SaaS), and open source solutions, as well as tips for avoiding common pitfalls in the ERP software selection process and instructions for negotiating effectively with your selected ERP vendor.

Five Key Organizational Change Management Challenges with ERP Implementations
Released September 23, 2010
ERP software implementations often entail significant organizational disruption, risk, uncertainty, and anxiety among an implementing company’s employees, customers, and vendors. However, one of the most common reasons many ERP projects fail is because they fail to adequately address these important organizational change management issues. This podcast will provide tangible examples of some of the organizational change management challenges that most ERP implementations face.

Clash of the Titans: An Independent Comparison of SAP vs. Oracle
Released September 16, 2010
This podcast provides an independent analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and trade-offs associated with SAP and Oracle, the industry’s leading ERP vendors. In particular, the session will focus on actual results from average SAP and Oracle implementations, including average implementation cost, duration, and business benefits realized. In addition, the session will also provide a quantitative overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the two Tier I ERP solutions.

Ten Tips for Your ERP Project
Released September 9, 2010
This podcast highlights best practices and top tips for ERP software selection and implementation. The session will share insight from Panorama’s 2010 ERP Report, a study of 1,600 ERP implementations to explore how companies can achieve best-in-class results.

Overview of 2010 ERP Report Results
Released August 26, 2010
Hosted by Eric Kimberling, President of Panorama Consulting, this podcast provides an analysis of the results of the Company’s recently published 2010 ERP Report. This study is the result of data collected by Panorama via online polling, supplemented with qualitative data gathered from focus group interviews. The Report covers the period from December 2005 to December 2009 with 1,600 participants representing global organizations that have implemented ERP within the last four years.

Seven Steps to Driving Total Business Value Using an ERP System
Released August 18, 2010
This on-demand Webinar will help you and your colleagues to chart a course for ERP evolution at your company, and to harness the power of your chosen solutions to achieve and sustain business value over the long term.
Webinar link: http://www.focus.com/webcasts/erp/7-steps-business-value/

Lessons Learned from Best-In-Class ERP Implementations
Released August 12, 2010
This 60-minute podcast explores the differentiators between best-in-class ERP implementations and those that do not perform as strongly. Using Panorama’s 2010 ERP Report as a backdrop, the session highlights data from a study of 1,300 ERP implementations to outline what companies can do to achieve the results of best-in-class ERP implementations.

Change Management Tips for ERP Upgrades
Released August 9, 2010
ERP upgrades are more than just technical operations. Just like a brand-new implementation, an ERP upgrade project can bring major changes to a manufacturer’s business processes and to the daily lives of workers. So an effective upgrade plan should include organizational change management as a key component.
Webinar link: http://www.bitpipe.com/detail/RES/1281381328_766.html

Managing Organization Change Management in Your ERP Implementation
Released July 29, 2010
Hosted by Cliff Simms and Lena Laasko, this 60-minute interactive webinar explores the ways that organizations can be more effective in addressing the people and organizational aspects of their ERP implementations.

Preview of Findings from 2010 ERP Report on Organizational Change Management
Released June 3, 2010
ERP software implementations often entail significant organizational disruption, risk, uncertainty, and anxiety among an implementing company’s employees, customers, and vendors. However, one of the most common reasons many ERP projects fail is because they fail to adequately address these important organizational change management issues. This webinar offers a preview of findings from Panorama’s research on the impact of organizational change management on effective ERP implementations.

Lessons Learned from Failed ERP Implementations

Released April 15, 2010
There is no question that a properly installed ERP package can help a company transform and better maintain its overall operating functions. However, no company should invest in an ERP project without a realistic understanding of both the risks and the rewards offered by this software, as well as how to effectively manage its implementation and usage. This 60-minute podcast provide insights into the key steps business should take to realize the full benefits of an ERP system.

Understanding the Differences Between Leading ERP Software Solutions
Released April 1, 2010
This informative podcast will review average results from actual implementations of various ERP software solutions, based on data gathered from over 1,600 implementations across the globe. It focuses on an overview of major differences between Tier I, Tier II and Tier III ERP software solutions, rankings of the top short-listed and selected ERP vendors, average implementation duration, cost, and risk for leading ERP solutions, average satisfaction, benefits realized, and payback periods, and common challenges in ERP implementations.

Best Practices for Accelerating the ERP Selection and Implementation Process
Released March 25, 2010
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software isn’t just another “nice to have” piece of technology. When utilized correctly, it becomes the central nervous system of a business. In the past, the process to review, select and implement ERP typically consumed copious amounts of time, money, and resources. This reality was particularly troubling to mid-size companies. So while an ERP need may have existed, the process was just too onerous to consider. Years of experience have taught two industry leaders – Panorama Consulting Solutions and Lucidity Consulting Group – how to accelerate both the ERP selection AND implementation process. Subject matter experts from both companies share these best practices in this complimentary 60-minute podcast.

Leveraging Government, Nonprofit, or Public Sector ERP Software to Transform Your Organization
Released February 25, 2010
Hosted by Eric Kimberling, Panorama Consulting’s President, and William Browning, President and Founder of Rebound Solutions, this podcast offers an opportunity to learn more about how ERP solutions benefit government and public sector companies, the challenges unique to the public sector, and common pitfalls for companies in this industry.

Tips to Leverage Manufacturing and Distribution Software to Improve Your Operations
Released February 18, 2010
Manufacturing and distribution organizations have unique opportunities to improve their operations via enterprise and ERP software solutions. This podcast reviews how manufacturing software can benefit companies, discusses the challenges and risks of manufacturing software and distribution software, and reviews common pitfalls for enterprise software in this industry.

Tips For Selecting the Right ERP Software For Your Organization
Released February 4, 2010
Hosted by Eric Kimberling and Natalie Gray of Panorama Consulting, this webinar provides an overview of the ERP software market, discussed challenges associated with finding the right ERP software, and reviewed key considerations in evaluating ERP software options. The webinar also discusses the pros and cons of various types of ERP solutions, including traditional ERP, software as a service (SaaS), and open source solutions, as well as tips for avoiding common pitfalls in the ERP software selection process and instructions for negotiating effectively with your selected ERP vendor.

Three Ways to Increase your Utilization and Results from JD Edwards
Released January 21, 2010
This free 60-minute webcast hosted by Eric Kimberling, President of Panorama Consulting, and Andy Klee, President of Klee Associates, covers what you can do now to get more value from your JD Edwards solution. Discussion points include: how companies are leveraging JDE to get more out of their investment, three ways to increase utilization and results from your JDE system, and alignment of business processes with JDE.
(This webcast is intended for organizations that are either in the process of implementing or have already implemented JD Edwards in their organizations.)

Tips To Select and Implement CRM To Improve Your Bottom Line
Released January 7, 2010
This 60-minute webcast provides an overview of the features/benefits of CRM software and includes a detailed discussion of current challenges when undertaking a CRM implementation. In the past, CRM software was only considered by Fortune 500/1000 companies, however, small to mid-size companies are now exploring whether CRM is a viable solution for their customer relationship management. The discussion includes Six Tips for CRM Software Selection and Six Traits of Best-in-Class CRM Implementations.