Future Technology Landscape Alignment for the CIO, IT Director, or Key IT Decision Maker

By |March 2nd, 2010|

This article is the last of a four-part series, which covered the entire breadth of the business to technology landscape of the future: IT organizational alignment, business alignment, and future technology alignment for success in tomorrow's marketplace. This final post takes a look at the emerging technology landscape and what the future holds. What Does the Future Technology to Business Alignment Hold - Future ERP, SAP, and IT Value A number of changes on the horizon will produce a number of [...]

ERP Project Planning – Getting Real (Part 1)

By |February 28th, 2010|

When the client is not heavily involved, expect plenty of project surprises and no ownership of responsibility. The ingredients for optimal success require active client participation at every stage of the project-- from project planning to project closure. Anyone who has been around ERP long enough understands that meaningful client involvement in the project is critical for success. However, many implementation projects start with the software consultants developing a project plan in a vacuum [...]

Why Indexed KPIs are Critical for Business Performance and Success

By |January 21st, 2010|

As I have written in previous articles, not every metric for business or processes is a KPI. Too many IT systems and too many companies define a departmental goal as a Key Performance Indicator, creating unnecessary friction among other departments or areas of the company. By using a weighted index, you significantly reduce, and in some cases eliminate, the competing requirements. As part of a continuing effort on using key performance indicators for building a strategy focused organization, I [...]

Competitive Pressures and Value Propositions, Is Lean the Answer?

By |November 10th, 2009|

Modern technology allows international outsourcing, greater agility, quicker product design to market, and specialized focus on niche markets, lowering the barrier to entry for new competitors and causing more market specialization. On the flip side, customers have a wide variety of information from sellers and the Internet about products, design, services, options, pricing, and availability. Business is more dynamic than ever. Because of the pace of change, focusing on internal process improve [...]

ERP Business Case: Do You Really Need a New System?

By |November 1st, 2009|

In many cases, those pushing for a new ERP system are comparing the worst of the current environment to an idealistic ERP concept. Sometimes the best way to avoid a train wreck is not to get on the train. In other words, do you really need a new ERP system, and if so, is now the right time to proceed? Performing an honest and thorough assessment of business needs and alternatives is an important part of taking ownership in the ERP business case. These questions are not popular to ERP enthusiast [...]

Realizing SAP Business Benefit

By |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 [...]