Uncategorized Archives

180 Systems Summer Get-Together: Growing Together

August 25, 2026 | 0 Comments | 180systems

This summer, the 180 Systems team got together for a ½ day away from our usual client work and virtual meetings at the home of Alex Miles in Hamilton. Our agenda included core values, which was updated and now consists of: Integrity – Never say anything that is not true. Postive Attitude – Always make the best of every situation. Resourcefulness – Find creative, practical ways to solve problems and improve business processes. Hard Work – Work hard, but not at the expense of family. Gratitude – We all have a lot to be thankful for. Commitment – Act with a high sense of urgency and […]

180 Systems Status Report Project Management (3)

A Green Status Report Can Still Hide a Red Project

August 21, 2026 | 0 Comments | Nelofer Dawer

One of the biggest risks in project management is not always an obvious issue. Sometimes, it is a project that looks healthy on paper. The status report is green. Milestones are technically on schedule. Meetings are happening. Action items are being closed. Leadership sees progress. But underneath the surface, the project may be carrying unresolved decisions, weak stakeholder engagement, incomplete testing, unclear ownership, resource constraints or risks that have not yet translated into a missed deadline. In other words, a project can be green today and still be heading toward red. Green Should Mean More Than “Nothing Has Failed Yet” […]

Does Automation Lead to Job Layoffs?

February 22, 2026 | 0 Comments | Michael Burns

Andrew Coyne wrote an article in the Globe & Mail on February 12 entitled “The AI job apocalypse is coming. Or is it?” He acknowledges there will be layoffs but there will also be productivity gains, which has historically been a driving force in a growing economy. “AI’s technological advances may not cost workers their jobs, but enhance them, allowing each to produce more with the same effort.” I think they will also be able to focus on more value-added services, which could lead to new business and a growing company. It’s too early to know what will happen for […]

Looking back

December 16, 2025 | 5938 Comments | Michael Burns

180 Systems is having our best year with revenue growth of about 40% over last year. It’s ironic that we are growing so quickly now, when as some of you know, I have been doing this kind of work for a very long time. In fact, most of my colleagues, friends and even my spouse retired years ago. The reasons for growth have a lot to do with my partner, Alex Miles, who is young, smart and ambitious. We have also hired a great team – there are 8 of us now and hopefully you will have the opportunity to […]

The Canvas Behind the Field Service Showpiece (1)

From Shadows to Structure: The Canvas Behind the Field Service Showpiece

December 11, 2025 | 1 Comments | Amanda David

Field service looks simple from a distance. A customer calls, a technician arrives, the problem gets fixed, and everyone moves on with their day. In reality, it resembles a Rembrandt painting. What appears calm from across the room reveals far more depth and tension when you step closer. The surface may look tidy, but the truth lives in the low light. The most common field service problems rarely burst in like a spotlight. They behave more like the shadows Caravaggio and Da Vinci loved to paint, subtle and creeping in from the edges. They hide in small inefficiencies and only […]

Why Technology Due Diligence Matters Before a Merger (3)

The Holiday Surprise You Do Not Want: Why Technology Due Diligence Matters Before a Merger

December 11, 2025 | 14 Comments | Amanda David

Mergers often feel like the corporate version of the holidays. There is excitement, anticipation, big plans, and the optimistic belief that everything will come together beautifully. But just like the holidays, the part that looks magical on the outside usually hides a fair amount of scrambling behind the scenes. And while leaders gather around the deal table making lists and checking them twice, technology due diligence somehow gets treated like the last-minute gift someone remembers on the way to the party. A quick stop, a rushed decision, and a hope that everything works out. Spoiler alert: it usually does not. […]

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 […]

Personal Message from Michael Burns

October 27, 2020 | 1109 Comments | Michael Burns

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BENCHMARKING: Get the Gain

December 4, 2010 | 7 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…” […]