We have helped many clients in selecting a new system, but as you know it’s not an easy process. The risks and costs associated with a new ERP system are significant not just in payments for the software and external consultants, but also in internal costs. You need to assign your best people (the A team) to the implementation, and their daily contribution in their regular work will take a big hit. We recommend you explore ways to optimize your existing system before taking the plunge. Give us a call at 416-485-2200 if you want to talk about it or […]
ERP Training Tips
You will often hear that training is critical to the success of an ERP implementation. Despite its importance, training is often neglected until it’s too late. During the selection process, the focus is on features and functionality, roles and responsibilities, and contract negotiation; and training is assumed. The vendors are often vague about training as a detailed discussion about it will lead to concerns about whether it’s enough, who will be doing it, how it will be done, and what materials are provided. We highly recommend that a detailed training plan is included in the vendor’s Statement of Work. Assuming […]
Personal Message from Michael Burns
I hope all is well with you and your family. Like everyone else, I look forward to the day when we can resume our lives, which we took for granted before Covid. Let’s stay positive about our future, and not despair or let “the old man in” as shown in a video starring Clint Eastwood or be despondent when there is sunshine ahead per the Jive Five Aces. Just click on the image below to see the videos. […]
National Technology Forum CPA (NTF)
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Change Management in an ERP Implementation
The commonly held belief is that people are resistant to change, which is the leading cause for failed ERP implementations/changes. It is our opinion that the resistance to change is a symptom of the problem, and not the cause. The primary cause is not being prepared for the implementation, which will then lead to resistance as employees face huge, unexpected problems, work overtime for months or more, and question leadership who brought about the change. Change management experts focus on remedies that include support from leadership and communication plans, which don’t fix the primary problem. To fix the primary problem, organizations […]
Defining Scope in an ERP Selection Project
Vendors will define scope at the highest level possible to avoid contractual problems during the implementation. Ideally scope is defined at a low level (the requirements in an RFP) but vendors will resist this partly because they would now be contractually responsible to implement detailed requirements that may turn out to be more challenging than initially thought. So, if vendors are willing to define scope at the requirements level, they need to spend a lot of time during the sales cycle to make sure that they can actually do exactly what is required. They will try to qualify their response […]
Understanding ERP Deployment Options Continued
Back in February, we tried to shed some light on the various ERP deployment options (https://www.180systems.com/understanding-erp-deployment-options/). One of the most confusing options was whether the vendor offered multi-tenant architecture, which allows one instance of the software to serve multiple companies at the same time, and brings down the costs of the hosting fees. Some vendors have not built multi-tenant from the ground-up or changed their code to accommodate it. Instead they have used middleware and Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) to get something equivalent. Sorry – I realize that these terms also lead to more confusion and so another approach is needed. We […]
Personal Message from Michael Burns about Covid-19
My adult children are spending quality time with their kids. It reminds them of when they were young when we spent weeks at a cottage together. The kids played outside and inside, made up plays to perform, read lots of books borrowed from the library and we all enjoyed our time together. Many of us are now enjoying more quality time with our family. But there are so many people on the front lines risking their health and that of their families to battle COVID-19 and look after the rest of us. There are also many people who have lost […]
Opportunity at 180 Systems
We are looking for a senior consultant with the following job description. Responsibilities Assist clients with ERP software selection and implementation projects. Key responsibilities include: Interview clients to understand their business process Prepare business process review documents Prepare process maps Evaluate vendor demonstrations Provide project management during implementations Help grow the business Assist in marketing and sales Assume leadership position Learn all aspects of the business Qualifications: Expertise in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, professional services or public sector and not for profit MBA or CPA Superior writing & presentation skills Strategic thinking and demonstrated ability to communicate with […]
Top 10 ERP Systems
If you do a search on the Top 10 ERP systems, you will find lists of the most well-known systems developed and maintained by the largest vendors. These vendors do offer advantages over many of the smaller vendors, who are not as well funded and may not be able to invest as much R&D in their system. The largest vendors will often have extended functionality for bigger enterprises that could also be used by smaller companies with complex requirements. They will also have more resources including multiple business partners to implement the system. And the owners will perceive less risk […]