Lisa Anderson, President of LMA Consulting Group specializes in supply chain, ERP and S&OP was included as one of the finalists for the ERP Writer's Awards 2017.
There has certainly been a lot of conversation about the potential tax law changes! Michael Kouyoumdjian, managing shareholder of RP&B CPAs did a great job of going through the potential changes and impacts in a discussion with trusted advisers to manufacturers and distributors.
80% of our clients only utilize 20% of their ERP system, and they are not alone. So, if this is common across typical companies, why do so many of them call to throw out their current system and find one that will resolve their challenges? It's a good question!
As an ERP expert, it is quite clear to me that even the best systems will fail miserably if they don't possess talent. Don't even bother to select and implement an ERP system if you don't have the "right" people on the bus. Start with executive support and continue on down through every position – everything is a team effort.
Lately, we've been called into several clients with ERP challenges that directly impact business growth and success. Do you desire profitable growth? If so, add ERP into your strategic discussions. Would you delegate a decision that could literally "make or break" your customer service, profit margins (or lack thereof) and ability to grow? I think not!
We cannot tell you how many clients call thinking they need a new system to support their business when it isn't true! Certainly there is a time to upgrade to a new system - when you've outgrown your old one (often-times QuickBooks with add-on's like Fishbowl), your old system is highly customized and unsustainable or you are in the midst of a merger or acquisition.