Tag: ERP
-
ERP Cloud: Finding the Right Provider
I recently attended Oracle’s OpenWorld Conference in San Francisco this October. There was a huge volume of information on the Cloud. As I walked through the Exhibitor’s halls at the Moscone Center, I observed that every SI partner had ERP in the Cloud or could get customers to the Cloud seamlessly. What I did not…
-
Building a Better ERP Estimate
There are several documented examples of ERP implementations that went over budget or did not hit the original go-live date. There are also many explanations out there to explain why these ERP implementations did not meet budget or timeline. Instead of repeating common information out in the ERP blogosphere, I would like to speak to…
-
Fact or Fiction: Hybrid ERP Deployments
With cloud computing and cloud ERP gaining additional attention in the marketplace, ERP vendors, resellers, and solution providers are quickly positioning their products and services as “cloud-enabled”. However, in my humble opinion, to simply put ERP software on a hosted server and provide subscription-based pricing does not a cloud solution make. A key value proposition…
-
Developing a Business Case for ERP Customizations
To customize or not to customize – that is the question which continues to be a source of contention and confusion. On one hand, customization(s) can result in an expensive ERP solution. However, ERP software enhancements can provide a competitive advantage or cost reduction that is customer-specific. The challenge is not in the question itself…
-
Cloud Can Bring Out the Best of ERP
Previously, I discussed some of the hard realities customers have to manage as part of a Cloud ERP solution. However, these challenges should not deter customers from looking at a Cloud ERP deployment model. There are broad advantages for Cloud ERP including incremental scalability and smaller start-up investment. I would like to speak to some…
-
Viable – Manageable ERP
Several ERP implementations suffer from what I call a “fast-food” mentality of delivering value. Customers feel that they need to get functionality that addresses both existing needs but also future needs given long implementation cycles. Business needs and business wants get blurred together during requirements gathering which make it harder to differentiate and validate. Finally,…
-
Business pain can be good for ERP
Instinctively, we all try to avoid or minimize pain. This is true for individuals as well as business organizations. However, in our attempts to reduce pain, we too often focus on eliminating the symptoms without addressing the underlying root cause. We may feel temporary relieve but our short-term decisions only lead us to a point…
-
Best of Breed vs. Integrated ERP
We have all heard the proverb “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Applying this concept to business software, we would conclude that a business solution is only as strong as its weakest integration. Usually overlooked and underestimated, integration is one of the most important factors to consider as part of a…
-
Creating a Flexible and Adaptable ERP Solution
Every customer I assisted in their ERP implementation wanted an ERP solution that would be flexible and adaptable. One of the key challenges and disappointments customers have with ERP are around flexibility and adaptability. We also need to address the common misinterpretations associated with the concepts of a flexible and adaptable ERP solution. Referring back to…
-
Conducting ERP Assessment to Maximize ERP ROI
If you are considering moving to the cloud, one of the steps to take is understanding where you are at today with your ERP solution.