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The Real Reason Executive Participation Creates IT Project Success
The Real Reason Executive Participation Creates IT Project Success

The Real Reason Executive Participation Creates IT Project Success

By Bill Wood|October 10th, 2009|

Since I started in the SAP and ERP arena in 1994, I have heard experts passionately declare that a key criteria for IT project success is executive participation. That mandate applies to any large scale project, whether through ERP, CRM, APO, SOA, BI, or other solutions. Many implementation companies wrongly believe that executive participation is only important because the executive brings authority and visibility to the project. However, a more overlooked yet crucial reason is the senior exec [...]

CRM, ERP, BI, and IT Investment — Where Do You Find the Business Benefit?
CRM, ERP, BI, and IT Investment — Where Do You Find the Business Benefit?

CRM, ERP, BI, and IT Investment — Where Do You Find the Business Benefit?

By Bill Wood|September 19th, 2009|

Most companies want to use CRM applications to "supercharge" their sales forces. They want higher customer retention and acquisition than their competitors, managing the sales pipeline and having better market insight. But few companies realize these goals. After going through some of the academic studies and literature about CRM implementation, evidence suggests that some companies see limited benefit from their CRM implementations, but they are not happy overall. These anecdotal accoun [...]

ERP Failure: The Organization is More Than Partially To Blame
ERP Failure: The Organization is More Than Partially To Blame

ERP Failure: The Organization is More Than Partially To Blame

By Steve Phillips|September 15th, 2009|

You really have to wonder: Does any organization spend millions of dollars on SAP (or any other software) with the goal of failing? The scope of a typical ERP project impacts almost every aspect of the organization, and the implementation risks are real. Often, an actual project's timeline far exceeds the original schedule. The cost of consulting services alone can grow four to five times the cost of the ERP software (with even greater upside risk potential). However, we have all heard the horr [...]

Realizing SAP Business Benefit
Realizing SAP Business Benefit

Realizing SAP Business Benefit

By Bill Wood|August 26th, 2009|

When implementing or upgrading SAP, too often I encounter vendors and consultants who believe they are more qualified than they actually are. Think of backyard mechanics who changed the oil on someone's cars and checked the tire pressure a few times, then somehow think that qualifies them to do engine overhauls on Formula 1 race cars. Similarly, why do you expect old-style implementation vendors and consultants to transform your business into a competitive powerhouse by only addressing cost-foc [...]

Why SAP Projects Fail to Deliver ROI and How to Change It
Why SAP Projects Fail to Deliver ROI and How to Change It

Why SAP Projects Fail to Deliver ROI and How to Change It

By Bill Wood|July 8th, 2009|

One reason businesses deal with failure of results in SAP implementations is lingering memories of the Y2K effect. At that time, businesses everywhere simply wanted to install ERP systems to take care of the looming potential crisis over the millennial changeover. After Y2K, the brief downturn in demand for ERP systems, along with the tech bubble burst in the stock market, created additional pressure. Unfortunately, they also overlooked SAP's full potential throughout the chaos. Because of this [...]

Change How You Look at SAP to Create ROI
Change How You Look at SAP to Create ROI

Change How You Look at SAP to Create ROI

By Bill Wood|February 20th, 2009|

After participating in several ROI-focused projects, I learned many lessons. A few of those projects achieved great results, but unfortunately many more were mediocre. I will begin a series of articles on how to achieve value and ROI from an SAP implementation. For many years, a lot of literature, guidance, case studies, success stories and methods has discussed using SAP to automate processes and reduce costs. Unfortunately, a company may struggle to find help to achieve revenue and profitabil [...]