enterprise resource planning Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

ERP Project Planning – Getting Real (Part 1)
ERP Project Planning – Getting Real (Part 1)

ERP Project Planning – Getting Real (Part 1)

By Steve Phillips|February 28th, 2010|

When the client is not heavily involved, expect plenty of project surprises and no ownership of responsibility. The ingredients for optimal success require active client participation at every stage of the project-- from project planning to project closure. Anyone who has been around ERP long enough understands that meaningful client involvement in the project is critical for success. However, many implementation projects start with the software consultants developing a project plan in a vacuum [...]

Changing the Direction of SAP, ERP, and IT Applications to Focus on the Customer and Innovation
Changing the Direction of SAP, ERP, and IT Applications to Focus on the Customer and Innovation

Changing the Direction of SAP, ERP, and IT Applications to Focus on the Customer and Innovation

By Bill Wood|February 19th, 2010|

This is the third part of an ongoing series about where the application technology market is today, including ERP vendors such as SAP and Oracle, and where the market is headed. The series provides insight on how to get ahead of the current trends and ride the wave that is building rather than getting swept away with it. The current business trends and market forces for technology will reward the swift and adaptable who are able to address the key business areas that have been lacking in the te [...]

Where SAP Is Missing a Key Business and Market Opportunity for Leadership
Where SAP Is Missing a Key Business and Market Opportunity for Leadership

Where SAP Is Missing a Key Business and Market Opportunity for Leadership

By Bill Wood|February 10th, 2010|

In reading through a post on the CIO Magazine blogs (“ERP Costs: 3 Signs Companies Are Wasting Less Money” [FN1]) on Panorama’s comparison of Saas with traditional ERP, Saas is not all it is cracked up to be. SAP has failed to capitalize on the genuine shortcomings of Saas ERP compared to on-premise ERP solutions such as SAP. Saas ERP is implemented over 35% more quickly (11.6 mo v. 18.4), but costs only 10% less to implement (6.2 v. 6.9 ann. rev). Even though CEOs may be slightly more satisfie [...]

ERP Consultants: Is the Promise of Knowledge Transfer just part of the Sales Pitch?
ERP Consultants: Is the Promise of Knowledge Transfer just part of the Sales Pitch?

ERP Consultants: Is the Promise of Knowledge Transfer just part of the Sales Pitch?

By Steve Phillips|February 10th, 2010|

Most ERP projects promise to transfer software knowledge from the consultants to the client. Once a project is over however, the client is often clueless about how to make software configuration changes, and may even struggle with performing basic transactions in the system. So what gives? Even though many aspire for successful knowledge transfer, most businesses lack a real strategy to make it more than just a dream. Secondly, when push comes to shove, we often set learning to the side and thi [...]

SAP CEO Leo Apotheker’s Departure – What is SAP’s Future?
SAP CEO Leo Apotheker’s Departure – What is SAP’s Future?

SAP CEO Leo Apotheker’s Departure – What is SAP’s Future?

By Bill Wood|February 8th, 2010|

Even though the timing of Apotheker's departure was unusual, I cannot say that I am surprised. If I look over the landscape of a CEO's job responsibilities (sales, strategy, etc.) and compare that to Leo's short tenure at SAP, I do not see any direction coming from the top. Leo Apotheker came in at a difficult time, but even in the midst of a global economic downturn, it is still possible to succeed. Setting aside SAP's maintenance few missteps, SAP lacked at forward-looking vision in 2010. SAP [...]

Business and IT Alignment – Integrating Technology and IT Spend with Business
Business and IT Alignment – Integrating Technology and IT Spend with Business

Business and IT Alignment – Integrating Technology and IT Spend with Business

By Bill Wood|February 5th, 2010|

Aligning technology to business requirements is based on a few underlying assumptions that are often lacking from SAP projects. Those assumptions are 1) the business actually knows what their requirements are, 2) the project scope includes those requirements, 3) the right management and internal employees are committed and engaged, and 4) the system integrator you select has consultants with the required experience. Often, I see businesses fail to look beyond operational excellence areas of the [...]