The best way to try to understand something complex is to try to compare it to something else you know really well. In a recent blog by our own Brian Potts, he compares some NFL Teams to ERP Systems. As an Avid Patriots Fan, I would like to say the comparison of The New England Patriots to NetSuite was my favorite one (but I could be a little bias here). I wanted to compare another sport to some ERP systems out on the market in a world full of passionate sports fans.
Let’s now take a look at ERP systems and your favorite (or least my favorite) NHL Teams:
Tampa Bay Lightning – Microsoft Dynamics 365– A software with all the right pieces to help you build your digital strategy. D365is like a well-run machine. This versatile and top software has a variety of functions to benefit your organization as a whole. The Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending 2020 Stanley Cup Champions, a title that Microsoft Dynamics 365 has held before in the digital software industry and could get it back again soon. Both have the right parts in their system to always have a chance to be on top. The product provides a good deal of flexibility to customize workflows and integrate them into other strategies, which can mitigate implementation risk and optimize ROI. Consider this ERP system if you want a good solid core to take your #digitaltransformation to the next level.
Boston Bruins – Salesforce: Another well-known system around the “league” with all the right tools to help optimize your company’s’ processes. Many think of Salesforce as merely a CRM system, but it has become a more viable cloud-based ERP solution for small- and mid-size companies. Through its Force.com platform, Salesforce has enabled various third-party applications to transform a core CRM system into a complete ERP system. The Boston Bruins, just like Salesforce, has a plan in place based on how they are run and play where they can quickly transform a losing game into a winning record. All it takes is constant practice and trying new ways until you get the right lines out there to compete for the top.
Pittsburg Penguins – IFS: IFS is another product with focused strengths, which is enough to crack into the top 10 systems ranking every year. Just like IFS, The Penguins are a team that is always in the final 8 when the season ends. They are a team run on a constant flow of winning led by their coach and captain. We have seen them in the hunt for the championship for the last 25 years or so. Other teams do not like to see them win, but we all have to deal with it in the hockey world. IFS is a mature and well-established product that focuses on field service-based organizations and some industrial manufacturers with heavy asset management, project management, and MRO needs. Even though we don’t recommend this product for a high-volume of clients each year, we have seen a very high win rate when short-listed among our clients. The product’s mature functionality and flexible deployment options differentiate it from other vendors.
Colorado Avalanche – Epicor: Epicor is another ERP system with a healthy adoption rate in smaller to mid-size companies in the manufacturing, distribution, and retail industries. It is also well established and entrenched in these core industries of focus. Ah yes, the hometown team to some of our extraordinary employees here at Third Stage, The Colorado Avalanche. This team has a rich history, a well-run organization led by former captain of the 2001 Stanley Cup Championship team, Joe Sakic. Sakic proved to be an unmistakable leader on the ice as a player and demonstrates his talent off the ice as a general manager and executive vice president. His versatility in his position makes him an ideal captain to drive this current team full speed ahead through the season and into the playoffs. Just like the Avalanche, Epicor is established in their core in the industry of ERP systems, making them an essential consideration for #digitalstrategy.
Montreal Canadians – Sage: If you know the game of hockey, you know the Montreal Canadians. Enriched with 24 Stanley Cup Championships dating back to the 1920’s, this team knows what it takes to win. If you talk to any of their fans throughout your lifetime, they will never fail to bring up how good they are or mention one of those championships. Sage provides a suite of ERP systems that has long focused on the small- and mid-market space, such as Sage 100cloud, 300cloud, and X3. It is a well-established suite of products with a reasonably robust implementation ecosystem, enabling it to compete well with some of the larger players in the enterprise software space. With that said, this ERP system knows what it takes to compete and knows what it takes to win over any business. No matter what, you can never sleep on them, which makes them a reliable option for your #digitaltransformation.
I have been an avid hockey fan for about 13 years now. Growing up in Boston defiantly had its perks because of how rich of a sports city it was. Sports are a great way to connect with someone, and the cool part about sports is that you can compare it to any business because of how similar each side is run. If you have a favorite sports team, try to compare it to your business and see what kind of comparisons you can come up with. If you want more information on ERP software systems or if you just want to have a chat about all things hockey, please feel free to reach out to us.
