Control Your ERP Destiny

Book excerpt: The history of implementing ERP systems has shown that leaving the fate of your Enterprise Resource Planning project in the hands of software consultants and vendors may only create a false sense of security. While the help of consultants is usually required, they are not all-knowing, have a limited ability to control the keys to project success, and are often the beneficiaries of cost overruns. When it comes to software vendors, their sales people will be long gone when it comes time to go-live with the new system. This book presents comprehensive strategies and techniques that enable organizations to take charge of their Enterprise Resource Planning projects to drive success. It is a guide to making informed decisions during each project phase. The author describes how to become less dependent on outside consultants, mitigate project risks, and significantly reduce implementation costs. Just as important are strategies and methods for the project team and stakeholders to identify business improvement opportunities within your organization and redesign processes to achieve the project benefits. The book also contains many tips to create internal project ownership, select ERP software, manage service providers, transfer software knowledge, develop the right implementation strategies, establish a realistic schedule and budget, and properly test the new system. It also addresses the various system deployment options, emerging technology trends, and the implications from a software selection, implementation and on-going support standpoint. The information is applicable to new implementations and system upgrades. This edition updated: November 2023 For those who prefer audiobooks, this version is also available on Google Play. Click "Switch To Audiobook" on this ebook homepage. Reviews "You owe it to your company and yourself to read this book. If you do so, you will sharply increase your odds for success and spend a lot less money. Steve has done the ERP industry a big service." - Thomas F. Wallace, early ERP pioneer, author, and Distinguished Fellow at The Ohio State University Center for Operational Excellence. "There really aren't many "must-read" ERP books in the 30 year (or so) history of ERP, but you can add this book to the must-read list. The book fits nicely into what I call the Center of Excellence movement - the push by ERP customers to gain more value out of their ERP investments and endure less headaches. The book is a combination of hard-won advice, cautionary tales, and a bit of a manifesto for not placing blind trust in third party consultancies." - Jon Reed, SAP/ERP Market Analyst. "I love this book." - R. Ray Wang. CEO and Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, a founding partner of the Altimeter Group and thought leader on enterprise digital transformation. "If the Project Management Institute (PMI) had a certification program in ERP Management, this would be the only textbook needed." - Andy Klee, President, Klee Associates, ERPtips.com (SAP), and JDEtips.com (Oracle Enterprise One).