IT Management Archives - Page 10 of 22 - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

Overcome SAP-ERP System Integrator Sales Tactics 5
Overcome SAP-ERP System Integrator Sales Tactics 5

Overcome SAP-ERP System Integrator Sales Tactics 5

By Bill Wood|June 6th, 2011|

You have made it through the RFP and vendor presentations, and you have narrowed your final selection down to the final two or three SAP or ERP vendors that you will hire for the engagement. What are the important things to verify that will help you understand if you will achieve benefit? Every integrator who has been in business for any period of time will have a few great references. However, just because they have a few customers who will give them a glowing reference does not mean they will [...]

Do You Know When To Do SAP Custom Development?
Do You Know When To Do SAP Custom Development?

Do You Know When To Do SAP Custom Development?

By Bill Wood|April 11th, 2011|

Use SAP Best Business Practices For Commodity Processes But More Carefully Evaluate Competitive Processes The debate and discussion around SAP best business practices usually assumes an “either-or” mindset. Either you use the SAP best business practices as they are, or you abandon them (for more background on SAP's "Best Business Practices," see What are SAP Best Business Practices Anyway). Several commentators suggest you should not do a software vendor’s “best practices” because you adopt the [...]

Using Your SAP Steering Committee for Business Transformation
Using Your SAP Steering Committee for Business Transformation

Using Your SAP Steering Committee for Business Transformation

By Bill Wood|March 14th, 2011|

How Long-Term SAP Steering Committee Integration Changes the Enterprise One of the biggest benefits of an SAP implementation is the business transformation it can bring. At first, the changes and challenges are uncomfortable, even downright painful. However, in the mid- to long-term, SAP brings about a business culture transformation. When ongoing steering committee involvement enables that transformation, business to IT convergence occurs. Over time, this convergence of business and technology [...]

Using SAP Solution Composer for SAP Scope – Process Alignment
Using SAP Solution Composer for SAP Scope – Process Alignment

Using SAP Solution Composer for SAP Scope – Process Alignment

By Bill Wood|February 28th, 2011|

If you haven’t noticed by now, I have always been a proponent of using the tools and resources SAP already provides. After all, why should you pay for developing things SAP has already invested in? Because of SAP’s huge installed base, lots of customers before you have tried these tools, and SAP has adjusted, changed, corrected, or modified them to improve their use and functionality. On top of that, if you manage to discover a defect or bug, as an SAP customer you can check OSS Notes to see if [...]

FIXING Stupid SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI – RFP Processes
FIXING Stupid SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI – RFP Processes

FIXING Stupid SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI – RFP Processes

By Bill Wood|February 21st, 2011|

I am always amazed at how much time, energy, money, and effort companies spend on the SAP Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes. Many companies spend months, and in some cases even years, evaluating, analyzing, and preparing for an RFI or RFP. During the RFI and RFP preparation stage, senior management and staff are involved. At times, a dozen or more employees may be involved. When you add it all up, it can easily cost your company tens of thousands, hundreds o [...]

More on Stupid SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI-RFP Processes
More on Stupid SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI-RFP Processes

More on Stupid SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI-RFP Processes

By Bill Wood|February 14th, 2011|

This is a follow-up from last week's post on Why SAP Vendor – Partner Selection RFI Processes are Stupid. Next week's post will provide insight, suggestions, and ideas on how to ensure your SAP RFI or RFP processes achieve the best possible results. SAP is a COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) business software application. In the COTS world, solid financial statements may indicate an SAP partner or vendor who has mastered the art of "squatting" or "lock-in." They may routinely custom code non-miss [...]