Uncategorized Archives

Scale AI

February 5, 2025 | 0 Comments | Michael Burns

Scale AI is Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) Global Innovation Cluster dedicated to boosting industry performance by leveraging AI technologies to improve value chains, with a specific focus on building resilient and sustainable supply chains. Sale AI Funding Scale AI is funded from the Governments of Canada and Quebec as well from the private sector through membership fees and strategic partnerships. The Government of Canada’s contribution to Scale AI amounted to $230M over 5 years, from April 1, 2018 until March 31, 2023. Additional funding of $53.4M has been granted by the Government of Québec. They have already funded $700M in […]

Not Just The Top 10 ERP Systems

February 5, 2025 | 0 Comments | Michael Burns

Some consultants will identify the top 10 ERP systems or just consider them in software selection projects. These systems have the largest customer base and typically have: Modern user interfaces Invested large sums in R&D to take advantage of new technology like AI. Invested large sums in security. But should you also consider lesser-known systems that cater to a specific industry? Advantages of Lesser-Known ERP Systems They are usually industry specific and also include business processes optimized for the industry and industry experts to implement the system. Licensing and implementation are usually less expensive. They are often less difficult to […]

Independence

February 5, 2025 | 0 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 […]

ERP Software Sunset: Navigating Dynamics GP End of Life

January 22, 2025 | 0 Comments | Michael Burns

Unfortunately, when it comes to ERP sunsets, they are not as beautiful as the sunsets you might see over a lake at the cottage like the one above. The big sunset story comes from Microsoft that announced in September 2024 that it will end support for Dynamics Great Plains (Dynamics GP) on September 30, 2029. Security patches will be available until April 30, 2031. It’s not time to panic if you have Dynamics GP, but it is time to consider your options. The truth is that sooner or later you will need to move to another solution. Those of us […]

Personal Message from Michael Burns

October 27, 2020 | 0 Comments | Michael Burns

I hope all is well with you and your family. Like everyone else, I look forward to the day when we can resume our lives, which we took for granted before Covid. Let’s stay positive about our future, and not despair or let “the old man in” as shown in a video starring Clint Eastwood or be despondent when there is sunshine ahead per the Jive Five Aces. Just click on the image below to see the videos. […]

BENCHMARKING: Get the Gain

December 4, 2010 | 0 Comments | 180systems

April 2008 from the Supply Chain Management Review – “…Another important reality is that benchmarking brings a necessary level of objectivity to performance evaluation. The subjective notion that “We think we’re pretty good” isn’t really good enough. That was the trap we fell into at Compaq when it came to order cycle time until the benchmarking told us otherwise. The reality is that self-opinion doesn’t truly matter to customers, who are comparing you against other suppliers… The biggest hurdle to benchmarking is coming up with standard ways to compare one company’s operations with another’s in order to make “like-for-like” comparisons…” […]