Why Do ERP Implementations Really Fail?
I have spent the better part of 20 years trying to help clients crack the code on why ERP implementations fail. It first started to click 12 years ago when I was engaged for my first ERP expert witness engagement for one of the highest profile lawsuits that the industry has seen. In this and […]
How to Minimize ERP Implementation Costs
ERP implementations are not known to be the cheapest things an organization can invest in to improve their business. That being said, enterprise software is considered to be an essential asset for manufacturers, distributors, and other business leaders. Businesses without effective ERP systems tend to struggle with accurate data, while their business processes tend to […]
Welcome to the Machine of Digital Transformation
As Pink Floyd once said: “Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.” For all we know, they could have been talking about the future of digital transformation when they released the song 40 years ago. The dark side of digital transformation As a recovering Big 5 SAP consultant, I have seen the dark side of […]
Agile + ERP Implementations: Why It’s a Terrible Idea
Trends in the ERP software space are a lot like politics. One minute a certain political party is firmly in control – then a few years later things change, and a new party is in control. With each shift comes hope and promise that the not-so-new answer will solve the problems of the “old” way […]
SAP S/4HANA Change Management: How to Handle the People Side of Your Transformation
Organizational change is a key component of any SAP S/4HANA transformation or implementation of any of the top ERP systems. But too often, organizations limit their scope of change to myopically focus on end-user training. When we are close to the day-to-day details of a digital transformation, we assume that we just need to train […]
Signs of an Underperforming ERP Project Manager
When an ERP implementation starts heading south, everyone starts to point fingers in one direction or another, and usually it’s towards the vendor. Core teams march with torches and pitchforks screaming that the vendor is mismanaging their project and nobody internally takes responsibility. In a recent post, we talked about how clients hold ultimate responsibility […]
Fatal Flaws in the Digital Transformation and ERP Software Industry
Earlier this week, I met with the CFO of a client that we recently helped select ERP software for and are about to start implementation with. He mentioned that he is generally excited about his upcoming transformation – until he reads one of my blogs or watches one of my videos on my YouTube channel. […]
SAP’s S/4HANA Activate Methodology: The Missing Pieces
Despite improvements over previous methodologies to implement SAP S/4/HANA transformation, the Activate methodology is not a silver bullet that addresses all the needs of your S/4HANA transformation. In fact, blind faith in the SAP Activate methodology is what has led to SAP failures at Revlon, Lidl, and other organizations in recent years. Some challenges that […]
How to Fix a Failing SAP S/4HANA Implementation
Sometimes I get the feeling that people get tired of hearing me talk about some of the recent string of high-profile SAP failures. But then I post another article about the SAP failure at Revlon, Lidl, Haribo, or any of the others, and the article inevitably goes viral. Still, I don’t feel right dissecting these […]
Managing Stress During ERP Implementation
Pretty much anyone who speaks of their past experiences with an ERP implementation jokes about hair loss, weight gain, insomnia, irritability, etc. Essentially, it STRESSED THEM OUT. In fact, this is a key finding from our 2019 ERP Report. My question is, why do we let this happen? We’re not going to answer this question […]
SAP’s 2025 Deadline: Remember Y2K?
SAP recently announced its “2025 Deadline,” suggesting support will end for all legacy products such as ECC and R/3 come December 2025. This has sent a shockwave through the industry and companies are scrambling to take action, and not all in a good way. Y2K Déjà vu We all remember 1999, when the threat of […]
ERP Failure: Is it Time to Take it on the Run?
I have recently been listening to some of the classic hits from REO Speedwagon. As they once said in their heyday, “you’re under the gun, so you take it on the run.” I heard this particular song (“Take it on the Run”) while I was writing my recent blog about Revlon’s SAP failure, so I […]