Digital Transformation’s Greatest Hits
If you have followed my work over the last decade and a half, you may have noticed that I love rock and roll. Classic rock, to be more specific. Many of my articles and YouTube videos have been named after classic rock songs or quotes. Both Third Stage Consulting and the consulting firm I started […]
Independent Review of SAP S/4HANA
When considering potential ERP systems, SAP S/4HANA is on the short-list of many organizations. As one of the top ERP systems in the market, SAP has become a go-to option for larger and mid-size organizations.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Digital Transformation and ERP Failure?
Digital transformation and ERP failures are caused by a number of things. Poor project management, lack of internal alignment, and poor organizational change management are just a handful of reasons by transformations so commonly fail. Behind these and other common symptoms lurks a deeper root cause: lack of independence and objectivity. Simply put, ERP vendors […]
The Most Important Roles on ERP Implementations and Digital Transformations
When planning for an ERP implementation or digital transformation, most people seem to intuitively understand the importance of a good project manager. They typically also understand how important the CIO or IT Director’s role is. These are two examples of roles that are very important to the success of any digital transformation. Surprisingly for many, […]
10 Steps to ERP Implementation Success
Despite decades of history and lessons learned, most organizations still haven’t figured out how to achieve ERP implementation success. In fact, our research over the years shows that most implementations still fail – despite lessons from history and advancements in technology. (For more on this, see our 2020 ERP and HCM Report). The more things […]
Digital Transformation Is Dead
Digital transformation is dead – or at least it should be. The brutal truth is that most ERP vendors, consultants, and analysts have been far too focused on the “digital” in digital transformation and not focused enough on “transformation.” It’s high time that we put the outdated modes of digital transformation to rest for good. […]
Why ERP Software Magic Quadrants Are Flawed
When evaluating potential ERP software or other enterprise technologies, project teams typically turn to the usual industry analysts and reports. Analyst firms such as Gartner, Forrester, and others will frequently publish reports and analysis of various software solutions in a variety of verticals. Gartner’s ERP software magic quadrant is an example of a common reference […]
How Magic Quadrants Can Derail ERP and HCM Software Evaluation Processes
We often see organizations get caught in analysis paralysis during their ERP and HCM software evaluation process. With so many options in the market, coupled with a lack of independent data on the strengths and weaknesses of these options, it’s easy to see how a project team can get stuck in the mud. Unfortunately, common […]
Hertz Bankruptcy and the Future of Digital Transformation
It has become clear in recent months that many companies won’t survive the pandemic and recession of 2020. Hertz recently filed for bankruptcy – the latest in a string of casualties in an uncertain economic environment. What did Hertz do wrong? While this may not be a surprise given that travel plummeted 90% earlier this […]
Top ERP Systems for Small Businesses
Disclaimer: Third Stage Consulting is an independent ERP consulting firm. Third Stage has no financial ties to ERP vendors, either directly or through parent companies or affiliates. Accordingly, the below analysis is completely technology-agnostic and 100% free of vendor bias or compensation. More than ever, small businesses have a plethora of top ERP systems to […]
Top HCM Systems for 2020
As we recently pointed out, HCM systems will be increasingly important because of the health pandemic of 2020. If anything, the health and economic crisis has placed unusual strains on HR departments across the world – while at the same time exposing opportunities to better manage talent. As companies navigate a post-Covid-19 world, they will […]
Top 10 Supply Chain Management Systems
Supply chain management has re-emerged as one of the most critical areas of technology investment for manufacturing, distribution, and retail organizations. The disruptions of recent years exposed the vulnerabilities and rigidity of many supply chains, and it has become clear that supply chain transformations need to look very different than they did in the past. […]