How to Select the Best Digital Technologies for Your Organization
The software selection process is one of the first steps that can make or break your digital transformation. Thorough software evaluations across a shortlist of options are imperative, and it’s important to understand the overarching capabilities and functionalities of each software before you marry your operations to one system. Being thoughtful during each step of […]
What is Quality Assurance and Why is it Important for your ERP Transformation?
When suggesting the idea of Quality Assurance (QA) to a company going through a digital transformation, we usually get one of three responses: We don’t need it because we have everything under control Our vendor is providing their own QA Ok, what is QA? The last one, fair enough, and happy to educate. For the […]
Is Your Implementation Failing? Assess with These 3 Steps
How do you really know if your ERP or HCM implementation is headed towards success versus failure? Your vendor is telling you everything is on-track, your users are screaming that the sky is falling, and status reports are inconclusive. To get an initial view of the success (or failure) of your software implementation, consider these […]
If ERP Systems Were NFL Teams!
Seems folks are laying a lot of analogies with their ERP systems these days. Most refer to evil villains, bodily fluids, family members, and sometimes even beer. Speaking of beer, now that we are looking towards Super Bowl LV, let’s take a look at ERP and your favorite (or least favorite) NFL Football teams: Dallas […]
From Fail to Prevail – How to Rescue a Digital Transformation
If your digital transformation is in trouble, the first thing to know is that you are not alone. The vast majority of transformations run into serious problems at some point, and many of the most successful organizations we work with have been through a recovery at least once. The good news is that proven recovery […]
Managing End-of-Year ERP Software Negotiations
There is a long-standing belief that negotiating your ERP contract at year-end will bring the best possible financial results. Essentially the “Black Friday” of ERP. While there is some truth to this, it is not as simple as calling up your selected vendor in December and asking for a discount. Following are a few pointers […]
The Value of Evaluating Lesser-Known ERP Software Vendors
Since the dawn of the internet, companies looking for a new ERP software have tended to begin their search by plugging something to the effect of “best ERP for manufacturing”, “ERP for service companies”, “top ERP for small business”, etc. into a search engine. This practice is even more commonplace in recent years. It’s true […]
Is the Grass Really Greener? Assessing the Need for a New ERP System
Getting a brand spanking-new ERP sounds awesome, right? Automated everything, the latest and greatest functionality. Like a new car… until you realize the new monthly cost, plus satellite radio, plus the new insurance premium. All of a sudden, your 2013 Camry, and your legacy ERP aren’t looking all that bad. So how do you really […]
If ERP Software Vendors Were Beers
Why not, they go well together. But what beer will you choose? Choosing a beer should be easier than choosing a new ERP, but there are some striking similarities between the two. With the growing availability, scalability, complexity and ease of integration across enterprise platforms, we are hearing more and more confusion on what actually […]
The Honest Truth About Budgeting for Your First Digital Transformation
We have talked a lot recently about making the move to your first inclusive ERP solution or building your digital transformation strategy. Whether you are moving from QuickBooks, Excel, or another legacy platform – this is a big move. You have considered the benefits and done some research, but now you begin to realize the […]
Organizational Change Management Considerations for Small Businesses
When discussing digital transformation with small business owners, the mention of organizational change management is (OCM) followed by blank stares. As a small, tightly-knit group where everyone knows each other and has direct access to leadership, OCM may not seem like a top priority while implementing one of the top ERP systems for small businesses. […]
The Three Stages of Digital Transformation
At Third Stage Consulting, the concept of reaching the Third Stage is central to how we think about digital transformation. The analogy comes from the three stages of a rocket launch: each stage plays a critical role, but it is the third booster that ultimately determines whether the mission succeeds. Most companies and leaders understand […]