June 13, 2012 from InfoWorld and written by Michael Burns – We have started in-depth reviews of ERP systems for InfoWorld. InfoWorld requested we that we start with ERP systems available as (SaaS) Software as a Service, so it’s appropriate that NetSuite be our first review considering they are “One of the pioneers in cloud computing, NetSuite launched a cloud-based ERP system at a time when SaaS was widely considered risky to both the security and the availability of an organization’s data…” Read more […]
10 biggest ERP software failures of 2011
December 20, 2011 from Computerworld – “With the year drawing to a close, one thing seems abundantly clear: There are still an awful lot of ERP and other software projects running off the rails out there. Software project failures are no fun for anyone involved. They lead to piles of wasted money and effort, heaps of accusations and recriminations, and even to lawsuits. Here’s a look at some of the highest-profile problem projects to surface this year…” Read more 180 View – One of the 10 biggest failures is “the attempt to provide electronic health records for all of the […]
The complex art of estimating
December 2011 from CAmagazine and written by Michael Burns – “Few complex projects are undertaken without some estimating being done. Whether it’s a construction company that needs to do a custom project or an accounting firm that needs to prepare a proposal for a complex audit engagement, someone (often several people) will have to take a stab at calculating the effort and cost required to finish the job…” Read more […]
Epicor sued over alleged ERP project failure
August 11, 2011 from Computerworld – “Epicor is being sued by one of its customers over an ERP (enterprise resource planning) project that allegedly racked up five times its expected implementation costs, in the latest dispute of this type to become public… The implementation costs were supposed to be US$190,000 but have reached more than $1 million, the complaint says. Whaley is suing Epicor for fraud, breach of contract, unfair trade and negligent misrepresentation. It wants its money returned along with additional money for damages…” 180 View – Unfortunately there are still failed ERP implementations. We believe that the problem […]
Cloud-Based ERP May Be Approaching the Tipping Point
May 17, 2012 from SupplyChainBrain – “I spent some time last week at NetSuite’s first user conference in San Francisco. I’ve known NetSuite for much of its history, but I wanted the opportunity to mingle with hundreds of companies that have adopted ERP in the cloud. My immediate impression was that the enthusiasm level among customers and prospects was uncharacteristic of the rather staid enterprise application world. It isn’t easy to find people who are excited about their ERP systems, but this group certainly was…” 180 View – The article is partly based on a NetSuite user conference and discussion […]
Common Estimating Mistakes
May 16, 2011 from gannthead.com – “Here are some common estimating issues that can often negatively impact your project… Padding… Being overly optimistic… Bad requirements… Omission… Different levels… Being put on the spot… Forgetting the risk factor… Pressure from above… Failure to involve the “do-ers”…” 180 View – Estimating is tough and we ask for it all the time from the vendors when assisting our clients in a system selection project. The vendors don’t have enough information when responding to an RFP so they rely on past experience based on similar sized projects and what they think the market will […]
Successful ERP Implementations: Fact or Fiction
2011 from ProjectTimes – “…What is a successful ERP Implementation and how do we measure whether it was successful or not…” Read more 180 View – The article brings up a great subject but misses the mark in how to define success. The article discusses success in terms of scope, timing, budget with the bottom line that the client is pleased. Clearly all of these are important but we think not enough. We believe that the project should start with a definition of critical success factors (what an organization must do well in order to be successful) and the measurements […]
How to negotiate software contracts
January 2011 from CAmagazine and written by Michael Burns – “A major acquisition such as an ERP system should be considered a lifetime investment. It’s not just a software purchase; it’s a contract that includes maintenance fees, which will exceed the cost of the software in four to five years. A good dose of due diligence is in order — not only in testing the software and assessing the vendor, but also in reading the contract… ” Read more […]
Biggest ERP failures of 2010
December 28, 2010 from InfoWorld – “No year in the IT industry would be complete without a number of high-profile ERP (enterprise resource planning) project failures, ones that burn through mountains of cash, bring company operations to a standstill, generate bad publicity for vendors, and toss careers in the trash. There’s no one reason why ERP projects run off the rails. In fact, you can equate a typical project to a three-legged stool, with the customer, vendor, and systems integrator each serving as a leg. Customers have to plan well, budget enough money for training, and evolve their usual way […]
The future of ERP: Why the ‘big ERP’ approach is dead
November 23, 2009 from InfoWorld – …“With ERP, you can’t do a one-size-fits-all,” Read says. “The corporate office of a $10 billion organization just has different needs than the local operations in Australia. And if you try to deploy [SAP or Oracle] everywhere, you’re effectively going to be deploying an enterprise solution in a midmarket company, and the costs are going to explode. Could there be a resurgence in “best of breed” app strategies for vertical-specific business areas — whether that’s on-premise or in the cloud — without all the integration headaches of yore? AMR Research Chief Research Officer Bruce […]