ERP vs. ERP II vs. ERP III Future Enterprise Applications

By |May 31st, 2010|

ERP I, ERP II, & ERP III Abstract ERP applications integrate enterprise operations within and across enterprise legal entities, or company codes. ERP ii (or ERP 2) applications extend supply functionality to external enterprises (generally vendor-affiliated companies or enterprises) to reduce cost, improve supply chain efficiency, and perform collaborative innovation. ERP iii (or ERP 3) enterprises go to the next level as they integrate the ERP and ERP ii functionality to include customers [...]

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

By |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 [...]

Reduce SAP Project Stress Part 3

By |May 10th, 2010|

IT Project Hostile Emails to Wide Distribution Lists Previously, I offered insight and suggestions on the topic of reducing SAP project stress in a two-part series: Reduce SAP Project Stress: Part 1Reduce SAP, ERP, or Technology Project Stress: Part 2   In the Project Management Group on LinkedIn however, someone raised an interesting question that I have had to deal with on a few projects. They asked the following: “How do you respond to a senior project member who wrongly accuses yo [...]

Process Execution of Business and IT Innovation

By |May 3rd, 2010|

The idea of innovation in business or IT is generally an aspiration to most. Leaders and managers occasionally mention the need to innovate, but when they stop to consider what that means, many of them abandon it as an impossible dream. They wait for some strange spark, some odd occurrence to somehow spark the flame of new beginnings. Execution of the Innovation Process Inspiration for innovation or creativity can come from anywhere. Frequently, the innovation problem isn't a lack of good ideas [...]

SAP Implementation Focus: Engineer Software or Business Processes?

By |April 29th, 2010|

You have selected SAP as your software application-- now you move on to look for competitive bids from several software vendors to implement the system. You have a good understanding of the scope you want to address, but what do you look for and where do you begin? [FN1] Your Primary SAP Implementation Focus You can install SAP in your company through two primary ways: making your company fit the software, or making the software fit your existing processes. In other words, either you do a softw [...]

The Top 5 ERP Success Factors by Project Stage from 22 Critical Success Factors

By |April 26th, 2010|

  A while back, I was reviewing academic material on ERP/SAP Project success factors. One particular study stood out because it laid out 22 specific success factors by project stage [FN1]. Even though this study dates from 2001, the Critical Success Factors (or CSFs) still ring true today, and the conclusions are consistent with what I have seen on SAP projects since I started in 1994. While the sample size was somewhat limited (86 completed questionnaires), the data and information prov [...]