business software Archives - Page 5 of 11 - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

ERP Software Selection: Do you want to be a Guinea Pig?
ERP Software Selection: Do you want to be a Guinea Pig?

ERP Software Selection: Do you want to be a Guinea Pig?

By Steve Phillips|August 9th, 2010|

“If the software functionality does not do what we need it to do, nothing else really matters.” Back in the 1980’s, IT department preferences or mandates for specific proprietary mainframe technologies drove many ERP software decisions. They focused on the technologies the IT department could (or would) support, not the mainframe software that best satisfied business needs. Later in the 1990’s, the mainframe vs. open system (client/server) wars caused many to take a blind leap of faith into ope [...]

Where do you Start with SAP Return on Investment or SAP ROI?
Where do you Start with SAP Return on Investment or SAP ROI?

Where do you Start with SAP Return on Investment or SAP ROI?

By Bill Wood|July 19th, 2010|

See Part 1 - SAP Implementation Is an Investment Not an Event How much is it going to cost, and how long is it going to take? That is the classic approach to SAP implementations. However, this approach is not enough today, as the marketplace is demanding more from their IT dollars. Now the marketplace has questions about measuring cost reductions, process improvements, and customer retention/acquisition. These are all important discussions. Your money has to work for you in your business-- and [...]

Lower SAP Application Support Costs – TCO – by Reducing Custom Solutions
Lower SAP Application Support Costs – TCO – by Reducing Custom Solutions

Lower SAP Application Support Costs – TCO – by Reducing Custom Solutions

By Bill Wood|June 21st, 2010|

Previously I explained the two primary types of implementations-- with SAP or any other ERP package, you will do business process engineering or software engineering. The differences in these two types of implementation approaches will have a major impact on your total cost of ownership (TCO) and your long-term application lifecycle costs. ------------------------------- Software Engineering or Business Process Engineering? https://www.iitrun.com/sap-implementation-focus-software-engineering-or [...]

SAP Implementation Partner or Company Selection Criteria
SAP Implementation Partner or Company Selection Criteria

SAP Implementation Partner or Company Selection Criteria

By Bill Wood|June 5th, 2010|

Project success depends on an implementation partner's ability to ensure business transformation occurs. Can the SAP implementation partner or company deliver business process engineering together WITH the new system? Or, as with so many of them, do they just install systems and call that an implementation? Lately, I have been focused on developing a solid and repeatable ERP software and vendor selection process. While reviewing the academic literature and reflecting on my time working with SAP [...]

Change Management Strategies and Knowledge Transfer Processes for a Successful SAP Project 2
Change Management Strategies and Knowledge Transfer Processes for a Successful SAP Project 2

Change Management Strategies and Knowledge Transfer Processes for a Successful SAP Project 2

By Bill Wood|May 24th, 2010|

People, organizational, and change management strategies on an ERP implementation are usually more difficult than the technology implementation. ERP implementation changes to the business allow employees from different departments to become more knowledgeable about business in general (Hall, 2002) (see also The Top 5 ERP Success Factors by Project Stage from 22 Critical Success Factors about interdepartmental cooperation and communication). While deeper knowledge is good, it also presents a set [...]

ERP Project Plan: Getting Real Part 3
ERP Project Plan: Getting Real Part 3

ERP Project Plan: Getting Real Part 3

By Steve Phillips|May 13th, 2010|

Let's develop a project schedule people can believe and support. After all, people are the ones who must make any schedule a reality. When it comes to ERP project planning, an aggressive schedule is not a problem. In fact, it is encouraged. However, if you do not strategically consider this schedule, all you will have is a plan to toss out the window. We must deal with the ramifications of unrealistic expectations. Edicts Do Not Always Work First, many falsely believe that when senior ma [...]