ERP Software Selection | ERP System Selection

180 Systems Can You Have Too Many Requirements

Can You Have Too Many Requirements When Selecting an ERP System?

April 20, 2026 | 0 Comments | Michael Burns

YES! It seems like some consulting companies are getting paid based on the number of requirements in their RFP. And companies doing it without consultants can access templates with thousands of requirements and think it better to include them than risk problems later. If requirements are gathered from a review of business processes, it’s easy to get bogged down in too much detail about basic requirements that any decent system will include these days. Another trap is to include requirements for each business process when a generic requirement (like attaching documents to any transaction or master file) will suffice. Our […]

Design, by Design. How PLM Modernizes Apparel Development

March 24, 2026 | 0 Comments | Jeremy Turner

Design is the backbone of every apparel company, but the sheer volume and pace of modern fashion make the design process more complex than ever. Working on multiple seasonal drops, replenishment programs and retail-driven assortments means that apparel companies can manage hundreds or thousands of new designs each year. Before a single style reaches production, it passes through design, merchandising, planning, product development, sourcing, and finance. Each team contributes sketches, BOMs, measurements, costing, vendor quotes and sample reviews. The amount of coordination and cross-functional collaboration can be monumental, which is why many have found implementing a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) […]

Break it to them gently

January 15, 2026 | 49 Comments | Michael Burns

The linked song “Break it to them gently” has nothing to do with subject of letting the vendors know what is happening during the contract negotiation phase of a software selection project. By this time, the vendors have worked hard in responding to an RFP, prepared for/conducted demonstrations and have spent a lot of time trying hard to win your business. At some point, you need to let the vendors know what is happening. You could wait until the very end, but in our opinion, that’s not the right way. Preferred Vendor You want the preferred vendor to be competitive […]

The Value of Independent Consulting Services

January 15, 2026 | 327 Comments | Michael Burns

Most organizations don’t use independent consulting services to help with the selection of a new system. They may think they have the expertise already and that independent consultants will add unnecessary costs. Although we are independent in terms of vendor neutrality, we are clearly not independent in recommending independent consultants. However, we think that there is a misconception about the value independent consultants provide, which is the reason for writing this article. Save you time We have a proven methodology with the knowledge, templates and processes that makes the selection process go relatively quickly. Time delays occur while waiting for […]

Friends Don’t Let Vendors Drive Demos

November 12, 2025 | 6 Comments | Jeremy Turner

When I was in ERP software sales, I knew exactly where my product shined. In early demos, I led with the most advanced and polished features, often contorting the narrative to make my best tools and features fit the prospect’s workflow. I knew that if decision-makers left believing that my software was sophisticated and user-friendly, I’d already won half the battle. They would influence their team to think of my offering favorably, which would give me a leg up when I finally had to show end users the less attractive elements of the system during days-long, marathon demonstrations. It’s hard […]

ERP Systems: A Decade of Evolution

September 18, 2025 | 337 Comments | Amanda David

Ten years ago, choosing an ERP system was a lot like buying a house in a questionable neighborhood: you knew you’d be stuck with it for decades, the plumbing would eventually leak, and no one in the family agreed on the layout. Fast forward to today, and ERP has had something of a glow-up. What used to be the corporate equivalent of beige wallpaper is now more like a sleek Tesla dashboard: shiny, interconnected, and occasionally prone to mysterious software updates at 2 am. But unfortunately, the costs of ERP have also jumped just like housing costs. The Great Shift: […]

5 Lessons from the ERP Transformation Front Line

September 17, 2025 | 328 Comments | Alice Mai

Embarking on an ERP transformation is never easy — but learning directly from those who’ve led the charge can give you a critical edge. In this candid and practical session, Alex Miles (Partner, 180 Systems) and Tony Gareri (CEO, Roma Moulding) share the top lessons learned from Roma’s ongoing ERP and CPQ (Configurator) implementation journey. You’ll get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to select the right technology, navigate the implementation process, and build a successful partnership between client and consultant. From vendor evaluation to data migration to internal team communication, this session offers hard-earned insights and actionable […]

Requirements Overload

August 17, 2025 | 40 Comments | Michael Burns

There are times when defining requirements for an ERP selection process that our client would question the effort and think that we are too much in the weeds and should save this detail when evaluating the systems and implementing the system. A leaner approach does make sense for standard requirements, but if the client has complexity and unique processes, then detailed requirements are worth the effort to: Avoid costly change orders when vendors discover what is needed during the implementation – It’s sometime called scope creep and you’re damned if you make the change as it will likely delay the […]

Independence

February 5, 2025 | 321 Comments | Michael Burns

Let’s assume you’re looking for an independent consultant to assist you in selecting a new ERP system. One question to answer is how do you know they are independent. Take a look at a Blog from the Enterprise Spectator or some insights which include: Conflicts of Interest per Enterprise Spectator Does the firm offer services to tech providers? Do they have a partner or alliances page? If so, are tech providers listed? Does the consultant also offer implementation services for specific vendors? Are their blog posts and white papers truly thought leadership reports, or are they mostly puff pieces for […]

Evaluating the Statement of Work – Project Management

December 21, 2021 | 41 Comments | Michael Burns

The Statement of Work (SOW) provided by the vendor for an ERP implementation is a critical document. It is the vendor’s way of defining the terms of the engagement and it is understandably used by them to maximize their profitability and to protect themselves when things go wrong. The SOW is not like other contracts that have been vetted by the lawyers many times and very difficult to change. The vendors will negotiate the terms in the SOW, and you need to review it carefully especially with regard to scope and roles and responsibilities. We are going to write […]