REPORT
The 2025 Top 10 ERP Systems Report
Our experts have highlighted ten vendors that can help your organization make data-driven decisions.
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ERP Implementations: Cloud vs. On-Premise Deployment Strategies
One of the key benefits of software as a service (SaaS) and cloud ERP systems is that the technological deployment of the software can be easier than traditional, on-premise implementations. Easier access to the software, less need for an expensive IT infrastructure,...Guest Blog: Seven Areas Where Independent ERP Consultants are a Must
The majority of ERP implementations require some level of outside consulting support from a primary implementation service provider. However, there are many critical junctures before and during an ERP project where using the services of an independent consulting firm...The Five Stages of ERP Failure
Although it’s natural to want to lend support to an upset friend or family member, your assistance can be even more effective if you take the time to understand the stages of the grieving process (and where that person is in the process) before offering a hand. The same goes for ERP failures – you […]
Shifting ERP System Maintenance to a Third-party Support Provider
When organizations embark on ERP system replacements, most do not think about the longer-term implications of maintaining the software. Simply managing the initial implementation alone can be challenging enough to project teams and executives, so ongoing maintenance is not typically on the radar of implementing organizations. However, maintenance is a key component for ERP software […]
Corporate Culture and the Social Enterprise
When is it possible for structure and flexibility to peacefully coexist? In a social ERP system, of course! While joining ERP software and social media may not seem like the happiest marriage, the integration can actually work quite well if your organization has the right corporate culture. The ideal corporate culture for social software is […]
There’s No “I” in ERP
Many years prior to becoming an ERP consultant, I was a high school football player on a team with average talent. What wasn’t average was our record, which involved a trip to the Colorado 5A State Championship, nor the airtight bond throughout the brotherhood, a microcosm of the program’s culture. We were able to excel […]
Lean ERP: What It is and How to Make It Work
ERP implementations more often than not run counter-intuitive to lean concepts. While lean and Six Sigma cultures focus on reducing waste and non-value-add activities, most ERP implementations are bloated with inefficiencies and cost overruns. For example, the average lean six sigma initiatives strive for zero waste and defects, while the average ERP implementation costs $10.5 […]
The Price Tag of ERP Failure: $440 Million?
As details regarding Knight Capital’s dramatic ERP failure continue to emerge, it becomes clear that organizations that don’t effectively handle their ERP implementations can (and often do) end up paying a price almost beyond comprehension. For those who haven’t followed the news, Knight Capital recently lost over $400 million in a matter of minutes because of a […]
Top Ways to Derail ERP System Usage
Are you looking for ways to obliterate any return from your ERP system, confuse your employees and/or compromise your organizational health overall? Then you’re in the right place! We’ve collected the top ways to do just that! Keep reading for our tips on how to systematically — and permanently — derail ERP software usage at […]
Software Accelerators. . . And Other Ways to Reduce ERP Implementation Time
ERP software providers love promoting software accelerators — especially to smaller, cash-strapped organizations — but are these pre-configured software versions all they are claimed to be? And if not, what are some other ways organizations can reduce ERP implementation durations? Before your organization decides on any acceleration techniques, you should first base your time expectations […]
Using Gamification to Motivate Employees During an ERP Implementation
If you received recognition every time you learned a new skill or completed an important task, would you be more engaged at work? This question is exactly what some businesses have been debating as they consider the benefits of diving into one of the newest emerging industries in the U.S.: “gamification.” Many have called gamification a […]
Tick Tock: The Importance of Time in ERP Implementations
As I reflect on all of the ERP implementations I’ve participated in throughout my career, I can’t help but notice a correlation between the perceived success of the project and the engagement level of my client’s project manager. With that being said, let me define success. I think it goes without being said that delivering […]
The True Key to ERP Success: A Four-Year Comparison
Four years ago we asked the question, “What do you think is the true key to ERP Success?” We posed the same query a week ago, and it appears our readers’ sentiment has shifted slightly. While the successful implementation of an ERP system always will depend on many...In a Perfect World: Functionality I’d Like to See in ERP Systems
The last few years have proven to be a time of evolution and change for ERP systems. Cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), mobile technologies, social media and business intelligence are just a few examples of the trends affecting the ERP software...ERP Systems and Manufacturing Traceability
Product recalls can be a nightmare for the food and beverage industry. According to a recent report on recall execution effectiveness, the average cost of recalls can be in the millions and the average time to completion can be many weeks. To the great benefit of the...
How to Define Your ERP Implementation Phasing Strategy
Once the initial euphoria selecting a new ERP system wears off and your team realizes that the real work is just about to begin, one of the first orders of business is to define your implementation phasing strategy. Many organizations implement in phases, whether it...The Importance of Two-way Communication During an ERP Implementation
In most situations, creativity is pretty great. In the midst of a high-stress ERP implementations, however, creativity is probably the last thing the C-level wants to see in the end-user community. But look at it from a typical user’s point of view: when no one...Is a Best-of-Breed ERP System for You?
ERP software isn’t just for big businesses anymore. Within the last ten years, the ERP software industry has shifted to accommodate smaller business looking for lower-cost solutions. This shift has been fueled by the emergence of a number of niche ERP vendors offering...Why Do ERP Implementations So Often Hurt Bottom-line Financial Results?
If you’ve followed our blog for any significant period of time, you have probably picked up on the fact that we view ERP implementations as business initiatives rather than software or technology projects. While this concept may sound esoteric on the surface, it...
