You naturally want to minimize risks and avoid cost overruns before signing a long-term contract for a new ERP system or any new system. Your prospective vendor also wants to minimize risk but is usually not able to do more than give an implementation estimate based on assumptions about scope, roles, and responsibilities. These assumptions could be fairly accurate, but could also be way off, which could lead to surprises and costly change orders. Neither you nor the vendor wants this to happen. For the vendor, you could turn into an unhappy client who cannot be referenced, or even worse, […]
ERP Selection Criteria In our ERP comparison, we compare the leading systems by these ERP selection criteria: Application Tier Industry Number of customers Underlying technology Customization Multiple companies Multiple currencies Mobility Reporting Dashboards Analytics The data for this ERP comparison is provided by the vendors. While we strive for accuracy, it is not feasible to validate all the information. Vendors are incentivized to provide honest and accurate data, as their credibility is at stake if any representations are found to be false or misleading. You can also see our complete list of ERP systems and their implementers in our ERP […]
What happens when your ERP system is causing you grief? What do you do about: All the excel spreadsheets you have in place to compensate for system deficiencies, Not getting the reports you need, Constant complaints from the users, Poor performance, and Multiple versions of the truth? You don’t want to replace your ERP system unless you have no choice or there are so many problems that there is a compelling business case. You can ask your ERP vendor or implementer to help you with ERP optimization to improve system efficiency, but their focus is likely going to be with […]
This is a ERP software selection process that you are probably dreading, but it’s also an opportunity to improve business process and get your team energized on a new system. The following is a brief description of our methodology. If you’re looking for a step-by-step ERP software selection methodology backed by years of consulting experience, you’ve come to the right place. 1. Requirements Analysis Start with an understanding of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) CSFs are defined as those things that you must do well in order to be successful. You can use CSFs as a way to start defining […]
Implementation is all about people Many organizations think they just need to find an ERP system with a good fit, and they are off to the races. But they really need is the right people at the right time, and ERP project manager is crucial for a success ERP implementation. The full article is available at CAmagazine by hyperlink from the heading. Right People at the Right Time It should be no surprise that all projects depend on people not only outside, but also inside, the organization. Nevertheless, many organizations think they just need to find a system with […]
ERP Implementation Cost: How Much Does an ERP Software Cost? When considering the total ERP software cost, it’s not just license fees and implementation costs that you need to consider. There are also annual increases, internal, support, infrastructure, and unexpected costs (contingency). These costs form the foundation of the ERP Total Cost of Ownership, which must be evaluated before selecting a system. These ERP software costs will depend on the size and complexity of your company which can be segregated into 3 tiers: 1. Tier One ERP / Enterprise Company Revenues > $250M Employees > 500 Annual license fees > […]
What is Customer Relationship Management (CRM)? Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a comprehensive approach to managing a company’s interactions and relationships with current and potential customers. It involves the use of systems and software designed to organize, automate, and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support. At its core, CRM software helps businesses understand their customers better, improve communication, and drive growth. CRM systems and software are essential tools for businesses aiming to streamline interactions with customers, improve sales, and enhance customer service. Implementing a CRM system involves several steps, including selecting the right software, planning the implementation process, […]
Choosing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is one of the most important decisions a business can make. However, there are so many ERP software from which to choose, many of which are not well known. The lesser-known ERP software are often designed for a specific industry. The question is which systems should you include in your ERP software selection project. A critical step is to carefully select an ERP vendor that aligns with your business needs and industry requirements. Effective ERP vendor selection ensures that the chosen system not only fits your operational needs but also scales with your […]
This case study is based on an interview with Fred Pritchard, Vice President of Golda’s Kitchen Inc. in February 2013 Overview Golda‘s Kitchen (GK) is the leading Canadian on-line shopping site for over 13,000 quality kitchenware products — baking, cooking & measuring equipment; specialty cake decorating, chocolate & confectionery supplies; and a wide assortment of kitchen tools, knives & appliances. The company was having challenges keeping up with their growth using their older systems that were not integrated and selected Blue Link in the summer of 2011 to automate accounting, inventory, POS, purchasing and order processing. Challenges and Resolutions The […]
Senior executives, of any organization going through a major ERP implementation, worry whether implementation costs and time estimates are accurate, or if the new system will cause huge problems when it goes live. The project manager might be telling them all is well but project managers have been wrong on occasion. One solution is to have an independent organization like 180 Systems conduct an ERP implementation audit or an Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). First, ask the project team to complete a confidential survey. Members should be asked to respond with Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral/Neither Agree or Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree […]
