Infor Acquired by Koch: Will a Weak Economy Drive More M&A in the ERP Software Industry?
Software vendor acquisitions are a core part of the enterprise software economy and will certainly continue. What most consumers of the top ERP systems want to know, however, is if their particular software package is at risk and if the current environment will increase acquisition risk. While there are a number of varied thoughts and […]
The Pitfalls of Selecting ERP Software
For any company considering new technology, the world of ERP is exploding with possibilities. So much so that the risk of choosing the wrong software may be greater than the chance of getting it right. While not getting too technical let’s talk about a couple of the biases, considerations or obstacles. The process of selecting […]
COVID-19: What Are the Effects on ERP Software Pricing?
Over the past month, this is probably the most commonly asked question we have received. Does the current environment offer a greater opportunity for software discounts? Many companies are looking at the current economic slowdown as an opportunity to implement new technology and take advantage of employee bandwidth, ultimately coming out ahead when business is […]
Alternatives to Replacing Your ERP System
More and more, companies are questioning the validity of a full-suite ERP replacement and wonder if it is really worth the time, cost and risk. Years ago, when companies were transferring from pure manual processes this was an easy decision as the benefits came without question. Today, with most organizations already having some degree of […]
Considering a NetSuite Implementation? You’re Not Alone.
In Third Stage’s top 10 ERP system rankings of 2020, Oracle NetSuite landed in first place. In addition to functionality, one of the reasons for its placement was the growing presence and foothold it has in the marketplace. This does not appear to be changing. We are talking to many companies that are moving towards […]
The Strategy of ERP Implementation
Organizations large and small often seek the assistance of ERP consultants. Companies realize that ERP initiatives are complex, and an effective ERP consultant is a different type of independent resource that can add to your chances of success. While companies seek guidance for a variety of help, software selection and implementation are two of the […]
How to Negotiate with Your ERP / HCM Vendor
After what may have been a long evaluation process, you have finally determined which ERP and HCM systems will help you achieve your digital strategies for 2020 and beyond. This is the technology that will drive business process improvements and your operational foundation for the coming years or decades. Now what? Now it’s time to […]
Why “Vanilla ERP” Doesn’t (and Can’t) Exist
Whenever I hear a client tell me “we just want a vanilla, out-of-the-box solution”, my heart sinks. I know that I now have the unenviable task of gently persuading the client that the term really doesn’t exist and that it’s an ERP industry hoax, just like “accelerators” and “standard process models.” Some clients get it, […]
Independent Review of Workday HCM Software
Workday is one of the most common HCM systems in the market today. Along with Oracle HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, Ultimate UltiPro, and other common options, HR and HRIS departments have plenty of options to choose from. It is also one of the up-and-coming systems with lots of momentum behind it. The company and its software […]
Is Big ERP Dead?
The big, integrated, traditional, and monolithic ERP systems are good for some, but not all. ERP vendors will typically push the big integrated systems like SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics, and other leading ERP systems. Best of breed providers, on the other hand, will push their more siloed technology model. Salesforce, Workday, and […]
To Change or Not to Change: The Decision to Stay on the Green Screen
For the younger folks reading, this is a serious question. The metrics range in estimation, but there is an estimated 100,000 companies still running iSeries or AS/400 platforms. We get calls nearly every day from executives and IT managers questioning if it’s time to move from their legacy systems to one of the top-ranked ERP […]
Motivating your CORE ERP Project Team
We have previously discussed the importance of an ERP project CORE team in completing a successful ERP, HCM or other enterprise application implementation. This is the team of individuals at the project level that takes responsibility for ensuring the project plan is carried through, deals with consultants and vendors and funnels critical decisions to the […]