May 17th 2011
By their very nature, ERP implementations can be a struggle. For organizations implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP, this is no different. Many companies second-guess themselves and ask, “Is our way the best way to implement GP?” or “How do we assure ourselves that the implementation will be successful?” Related Posts:Editorial: ERP Failure Tempts Nurses to Shoot [...]
May 12th 2011
Businesses are increasingly considering storing their critical data remotely and accessing it online via “the cloud”. Cost savings and quicker deployment are often touted as the biggest advantages of riding the cloud. However, there is fear of the cloud. Related Posts:SaaS or Not: Does Software as a Service Fit your Company?How to Mitigate the Risks [...]
May 10th 2011
Once upon a time, supply-chain management was simple. A customer ordered a product, you kept track of the items sold and ordered enough raw materials for production to keep up with the demand. Today, customers expect a quicker delivery time, which complicates the restocking of raw materials and production scheduling. Related Posts:Which ERP Should You [...]
May 3rd 2011
There is a pervasive perception that moving accounting systems to the cloud is reserved for smaller businesses, but don’t dismiss the software-as-a-service model so fast. Related Posts:On-Demand Webinar: Translating the CloudWhy Small and Medium Businesses Should Consider ERP CloudSoftware Trend-Watch 2: Rise In Business-Driven R&DWhy CFOs are Bucking the SaaS Trend
April 28th 2011
I am amazed at the number of companies we work with that have implemented software solutions that don’t come close to meeting the needs of their business. Related Posts:Thinking About Implementing a Bar Coding System? Read This FirstIs the Cloud Right for Your Distribution Business?Distribution Startups – The Key ConsiderationsBusiness Software Trend-Watch 1: Death of [...]
April 26th 2011
According to New York Times columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman, we live in a flat world. In his timeless book, The World Is Flat, Mr. Friedman spends a great deal of time discussing what he labels “flatteners” – the collective group of technologies that brought our world closer together. Related Posts:Predictions of the State [...]
April 21st 2011
Non-profit organizations are designed to help others. But sometimes they can’t help themselves. In the case of “Hope”, we’ve seen how good intentions without good information morphed into a project far beyond financial reach. Related Posts:A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part 4A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part 3A Software [...]
April 19th 2011
If you are planning on moving to a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution, one of the project tasks which can be a wild card for both costs and timeline is data migration. Here are 4 key things you can do to minimize your costs and risks associated with this important aspect of implementing your [...]
April 14th 2011
The software horrors at “Hope”, the multi-national non-profit charity, have racked up by the minute. What started out as a plan to simplify, improve efficiency and expand donations turned into trial balloon filled with hot air. Project delays, changes and problems have sent costs skyward. Related Posts:A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part [...]
April 12th 2011
The term “Islands of Data” describes a situation in which departments within an enterprise each use their own software applications from disparate vendors, none of which integrate with one another. Here, we contrast using “Islands of Data” versus a single “Integrated System” from one vendor or integrated vendors that cross all departments. Related Posts:A Software [...]
April 7th 2011
The case study of “Hope” reveals much about the human condition that is applicable inside the corporate boardroom and wherever people gather together to think up new ways to do business more efficiently and effectively. But sometimes vision gets in the way of reality, and it becomes impossible to see the truth for fear of [...]
April 5th 2011
Compliance keeps us accountable, makes us all play by the same rules, and gives us the same headaches. Whether it’s SOX, EEOC, Grant Reporting or Monthly Sales Tax Filing, every company has more than one compliance horror story they can remember. Related Posts:How to Simplify Sales Tax Processes
March 31st 2011
Software ThinkTank has been chronicling the case of “Hope”, a multi-million dollar North American charity, that found itself battling a hydra-headed monster in the form of a software project gone seriously wrong. Related Posts:A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part 5A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part 4A Software Implementation Nightmare [...]
March 24th 2011
Today, Software ThinkTank launches a five-part series revealing the ultimate horror show – a high-cost technology implementation that goes terribly wrong. This is the stuff of nightmares. Its victims: missionaries, compassionate donors and impoverished children. Related Posts:A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part 5A Software Implementation Nightmare of Epic Proportions – Part 4A [...]
March 22nd 2011
It is often said that small and mid-market companies are at a strategic disadvantage when compared to their larger, tech-savvy and market-leading competitors. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Related Posts:Get Ready to Decide on ERP for your SMECRM for small to medium sized businessBusiness Software Shouldn’t Be One-Size-Fits-All
March 15th 2011
If you’re a small or mid-sized organization, making a decision to implement ERP usually is a major milestone. It means you recognize the overall advantages of ERP and how it is designed to drive improved business efficiency across the entire organization. Move your ERP into the cloud and you not only benefit from the software-as-a-service [...]
March 11th 2011
We’ve already determined there is no such thing as a truly unbiased opinion. Given that, the pivotal determining factor to finding the right solution provider rests with one thing – you, and your ability to see your own strengths and weaknesses. Related Posts:Suitemates – The Reality BIG ERP Doesn’t Want You To SeeStill Relying on [...]
February 23rd 2011
If your business is facing challenges that you are hoping a new business management solution will solve, a great first step in the software selection process is to assess your current business processes. After all, a business management solution is only going to deliver benefits to your organization in proportion to how you are using [...]
February 16th 2011
Many times I’ve worked with high technology (often “start-up”) companies that are looking for a way to successfully implement a Subscription Billing System (a.k.a. recurring billing). They are either seeking a new solution that does subscription billing, or they may already have an application which calculates the billing amounts but doesn’t provide the normal accounting [...]
February 15th 2011
The buzz over Software as a Service (SaaS) continues to grow. Many SaaS-based providers are positioning their products as the only option for organizations looking to make a smart business software purchase. Related Posts:There Are Mountains in Those CloudsWhy CFOs are Bucking the SaaS TrendHow to Mitigate the Risks of SaaSPrivacy Laws Outdated for Age [...]
February 10th 2011
Your boss has set you off on a mission – get the best software you can for the best price you can, and make sure it works! So how do most people go about tackling that very common problem? They head out in search of a company that can provide them with that elusive product: [...]
February 8th 2011
Acquiring a new ERP solution – every company faces this challenge on average once a decade; more often if the business is dramatically growing or requirements have changed as a result of acquisitions. In many cases, the focus initially is on how to select the best new software package, the overall budget impact and what [...]
February 1st 2011
Over the years, I have been amazed at how a diverse range of business owners monitor the pulse of their business. Some can tell their business is doing well by walking through their operations and paying attention to signals like the frequency of incoming calls, the number of incoming/outgoing trucks, the activities of their employees, [...]
January 25th 2011
Is your Solution Obsolete? There have been many discussions around a product’s life cycle and the five stages identified: introduction, growth, maturity, decline and exit. Related Posts:Should you buy business software based on a demo?5 Reasons to Maintain Your Business Management SoftwareOn-Demand Webinar: How to Select a Solution ProviderMap Your Business Challenges to Find the [...]
January 20th 2011
In my last article titled “The Mysterious Cost of Carrying Inventory”, we published a questionnaire that you can fill out, to have us calculate your specific company’s inventory carrying cost percentage. That is, what it costs to maintain a dollar’s worth of stocked inventory in your warehouse for an entire year. The carrying cost is [...]
January 18th 2011
As a food and beverage distributor, you face very unique challenges. The perishable product you handle must be moved with a keen eye to regulations and maximizing efficiency in order to meet the daily demands of your customers. You can achieve this by ensuring your business management solution meets the Top 5 Necessities for Food [...]
December 31st 2010
Most distributors strive to achieve the goal of effective inventory management: “Effective inventory management allows an organization to meet or exceed customers’ expectations of product availability with the amount of each item that will maximize net profitability or minimize their total inventory investment.” Stock vs. Stuff But most of these companies have two types of [...]
December 19th 2010
The carrying cost of inventory is the cost of maintaining your average inventory investment of inventory in your warehouse, storeroom, stockroom, or other location where you stock raw materials or finished goods. What costs do you incur in carrying inventory? Related Posts:How Much Does It Cost You To Buy?On Demand Webinar: When to Stock New [...]
December 14th 2010
Having borne the brunt of the economic downturn in recent years, it is not a surprise that manufacturers, in particular, are constantly looking for ways to increase profits and decrease costs. Since lean manufacturing practices accomplish this very goal by eliminating waste and streamlining production, it is only logical that adopting these practices would be [...]
November 8th 2010
Unfortunately, many of the dashboards being used today seem to be set up for their aesthetics rather than their effectiveness. Fancy graphs and colors may stand out but often don’t deliver the critical information you need. A dashboard’s value should not be judged by its “flash”, but rather by how quickly and easily it conveys [...]
November 4th 2010
In our journey we meet many young, growing and successful companies that have outgrown the capabilities of their initial accounting system. Related Posts:How a Bunch of Italian Merchants Led the Way to ERPHow to Choose an Accounting Partner10 Reasons to Replace QuickBooksNext Stop: Obsolescence
November 2nd 2010
It’s considered the biggest mystery in the history of accounting – just what was it that led a bunch of Italian merchants to create double-entry accounting. The practice emerged during the Renaissance — and to German sociologist Max Weber – it marked the entry point for capitalism. While it may be tempting to think that [...]
October 21st 2010
It is not surprising to me that the feds are trying to change a tax law that has been in effect for 71 years to help prop up the government’s huge deficit. Related Posts:No Related Posts
September 27th 2010
Last week, privacy rights advocates charged that stronger laws protecting information stored in the cloud are long overdue, otherwise stormy weather may be imminent. Related Posts:On-Demand Webinar: Translating the CloudThere Are Mountains in Those CloudsSaaS or Not: Does Software as a Service Fit your Company?Why CFOs are Bucking the SaaS Trend
September 1st 2010
The Software as a Service (Saas) trend has been steadily growing over the last decade. Interestingly, some companies that cloud computing is aimed at, small and medium-sized businesses, are now bucking the trend and instead favor on-premise software. Related Posts:How to Mitigate the Risks of SaaSThere Are Mountains in Those CloudsSaaS or Not: Does Software [...]
August 18th 2010
As a not-for-profit organization, you have very specific challenges when it comes time to develop your budget. You must align spending with your mission and allocate purpose-specific donations, all while making sure you have something set aside for unpredicted events that could impact your mission. Related Posts:Looking For An Unbiased Opinion? Get Over It!How a [...]
July 19th 2010
Would you buy a car relying solely on the those ads with the hyper-frenetic voiceover about features that don’t really matter? Do you really care how the vehicle will look cruising through a mountain range? Or if it can be dropped by a crane without damaging it? Or that there is pure silver dust, hand-polished [...]
July 16th 2010
Managing your supply chain can feel like herding cats. Just when you think you have a straight chain to efficiency, there is a kink. Think through the Top 5 Reasons Supply Chains Fail to understand the common problems most manufacturers and distributors face when trying to align all moving parts of their supply chain. At [...]
July 16th 2010
Still undecided on upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010? Here are 5 more reasons you should upgrade: Related Posts:10 Reasons to Upgrade to GP 2010 – Part 1On-Demand Webinar: Dynamics vs Salesforce Discover Flexible Financial Reporting with Dynamics GP 2010Get a Panoramic View of Your Supply Chain
July 16th 2010
Mulling over the pros and cons of upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010? If you’re looking for new ways to boost relationships, connect data, enhance insight and streamline business processes, this latest upgrade is worth considering. Related Posts:10 Reasons to Upgrade to GP 2010 – Part 2Predictive Analytics – Make the Most of Your BITop [...]
July 15th 2010
Sometimes it can be hard to let go of something that has worked so well for you in the past. For years, QuickBooks has handed all your business management needs: Related Posts:10 Reasons to Upgrade to GP 2010 – Part 1How to Simplify Sales Tax ProcessesPredictive Analytics – Make the Most of Your BIBuild a [...]
July 1st 2010
To Migrate or To Upgrade? You know your ERP is no longer working as effectively or efficiently as needed. But should you purchase the recommended upgrades or add-ons for your current solution, or migrate to an entirely new system? Both require planning ahead, an investment of time and resources. Think about it… Related Posts:How to [...]
June 20th 2010
You’ve been told, “We need ERP! Find me a good system.” You say, “Sure thing,” while thinking to yourself, “I really wish I knew what ERP was.” Rest assured you aren’t the first person to be confused. Related Posts:Don’t Get Caught Out With The Hidden Costs Of ERPHealthcare and ERP: Making it Work for Your [...]
May 31st 2010
Change Your Company’s Course Ever wonder, “What the heck are we going to do when Jim retires? He’s the only one who knows how to work with our painful software system”. It’s certainly not something you want waking you up at night – particularly because it’s 100% avoidable. Related Posts:At the Crossroads with QuickBooks or [...]
May 7th 2010
Dealing with disparate systems and silos of data is inefficient and expensive. Manually entering information from one system to the next because of unaligned fields and incompatible software is time consuming and laborious. Think transparency, visibility, integration and productivity. Related Posts:The Top 10 Inventory Management MistakesExceed Customer ExpectationsExceed Customer ExpectationsExceed Customer Expectations Top 5 Reasons [...]
