ERP & Supply Chain

ERP implementation success: Program management vs. project management

ERP program management provides the framework to manage the portfolio of projects that ensure ERP deployment success. Here's what that looks like. Continue Reading

By

• Jawad Akhtar

Comparing SAP ERP ROI to Oracle, Microsoft and Infor

Considering Oracle, Microsoft, Infor or SAP ERP software? We examine these ERP vendors on how well each delivers ERP ROI with their unique implementation methods and strategies. Continue Reading

By

• Mary E. Shacklett, Transworld Data

Why is supplier segmentation key to supplier relationship management?

Your customer relies on your supply chain to work well, so that means you need effective supplier relationship management. Here's information to help you create it. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

What's most important in creating a supply chain management strategy?

Begin with the end in mind: great customer service. That's one secret to establishing your supply chain priorities -- one that can help as you decide on its tradeoffs. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Cautious about SaaS, Textron came around to Oracle ERP Cloud

Textron IT and finance leaders said the company only trusted cloud for nonessentials until aging systems made the move to SaaS ERP inevitable. Continue Reading

By

• Tony Kontzer

Oracle makes a case for intelligent ERP at OpenWorld 2018

The OpenWorld conference brought a new crop of Adaptive Intelligent Apps, process automation and voice-enabled bots that Oracle's CTO said will reduce human error in business processes. Continue Reading

By

• David Essex, Industry Editor

Top 5 inventory management challenges for manufacturers

Get expert advice on the technologies, best practices and organizational change management needed to master the most common inventory management problems. Continue Reading

By

• David Essex, Industry Editor

FedEx's Oracle hybrid cloud only a bridge to all-SaaS ERP

A logistics heavyweight is in year three of a five-year plan to consolidate PeopleSoft and SAP systems on Oracle ERP Cloud and Analytics Cloud and absorb corporate acquisitions. Continue Reading

By

• Tony Kontzer

New Oracle AI, blockchain apps target key ERP workflows

Financials, supply chain, HR and recruiting all see automation boost from intelligent process automation and machine learning across integrated Oracle SaaS suite. Continue Reading

By

• David Essex, Industry Editor

7 ways to ensure a successful cloud ERP implementation

Understand why everything from documenting business processes to managing shadow IT can make or break your ERP implementation. Here's what you should know. Continue Reading

By

• George Lawton

Data dominance the prize in Salesforce ERP integration moves

Following the MuleSoft acquisition in March, the Dreamforce conference reinforces the cloud CRM leader's ambition to become the front end to enterprise data. Continue Reading

By

• Tony Kontzer

Why some manufacturers stick with on-premises vs. cloud ERP

Cloud ERP is key in digital manufacturing, but it's not a fit for all companies, especially those with heavy customization needs or the need to maintain control over upgrades. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Stackpole

Software bots start taking over finance work in Arizona

Software bots are being used in Arizona to help with some routine finance operations. These systems follow scripts to complete repetitive work, freeing employees for other work. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

UCSD graduates to advanced analytics with SAP HANA platform

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The benefits and drawbacks of cloud ERP systems for healthcare

Is moving to cloud ERP good for your healthcare organizations? Experts tackle just that question and weigh in on issues such as security and compliance. Continue Reading

By

• Albert McKeon

Three master data management strategies to boost CRM-ERP success

'Bad data' circulating through a company's ERP environment will likely cause interfaces to fail. Learn how one business leader is cleaning things up. Continue Reading

By

• Tony Kontzer

Postmodern ERP strategy hinges on data integration

Analysts walk you through the data integration strategies behind a postmodern ERP approach, while a semiconductor company explains how it undertook this type of project. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

Resistance to all-in cloud ERP systems is large

For many enterprises, ERP and HCM deployments may take the path of hybrid deployments, a trend that is supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise's quarterly earnings results. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

What is the difference between logistics and supply chain management?

Logistics is part of supply chain management, but the two terms are often used synonymously. Here's a quick explanation of how these two are different. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Postmodern ERP countered by continued appeal of single suite

The loosely coupled enterprise applications that Gartner predicted may indeed be here, but integration and data integrity challenges make them inferior to monolithic ERP for some. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

What are the benefits of machine learning in supply chain optimization?

Machine learning is being used to improve a wide array of business processes, including supply chain management functions. Here's a look at three areas it's helping the most. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

SaaS ERP systems can include hidden costs

Cloud hype tells us that SaaS ERP systems are less expensive to run than on-premises systems, but experts warn of hidden costs that you have to account for before moving to the cloud. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Stackpole

Q&A: Brittain Ladd on digital supply chain transformation

Brittain Ladd of Genpact tells why organizations need to transform their supply chains with machine learning and analytics to mitigate disruptions and compete more effectively. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Industrial cloud moving from public to hybrid systems

A new survey by ABI Research indicates that manufacturers will move IIoT systems from public cloud to hybrid systems as more storage and processing can be done at the device level. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

What are some best practices for crafting a supply chain technology strategy?

Supply chain managers have a tough job and face many challenges. Technology can help but must also be approached with return on investment top of mind. Here are three tips that can help. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

Supply chain blockchain is quickly taking hold

The pieces needed to create supply chain blockchain networks are emerging. But blockchain won't fix all the problems that supply chains face, such as theft and data accuracy. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

SMB reaps rewards of migrating QAD ERP system to the cloud

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There's time and place for SMBs to adopt SaaS-based ERP

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SMBs see vertical ERP technology vendors meeting specialty needs

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Pressures mount on SMBs to modernize aging ERP processes

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Fueled by SaaS, ERP for SMBs soars into the cloud

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Rethinking ERP cloud migrations in the age of AI and IoT

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Cloud vs. legacy ERP systems: Tug of war intensifies for SMBs

Aging legacy ERP systems at SMBs seem to be getting plenty of scrutiny these days. Heightened consumer demands, shifting technology landscapes and relentless market disruptions, not to mention maintenance costs, technical support and obsolescence, can all conspire to keep IT managers up late at night calculating the proper time to upgrade or ditch their "old" ERP systems. Yet, for better or worse, their sleep patterns may be normalizing as decisions to migrate ERP to the cloud are increasingly drifting away from IT and landing on the laps of business leaders.

August's Business Information opens with our editor's note and advice for business and IT decision-makers who are feeling the heat: Don't be myopic when planning a flight to the cloud. The numerous ERP deployment options available to SMBs dictate that immediate company needs must be tempered with an eye toward the future.

Along those lines, our cover story examines the decision-making process when SMBs have to upgrade their legacy ERP systems or move to the cloud -- a migration that SaaS is making more palatable and popular among smaller businesses. In another feature, we drill down into vertical, industry-specific ERP technologies that allow SMBs to cost-effectively make immediate specialty upgrades to their systems.

Also in this issue, a medical device group migrated to cloud ERP primarily because of the expense of adding features and functions to its existing on-premises system. In addition, SMBs face many issues when implementing SaaS ERP operations as AI, big data analytics and smart workflow reach mission-critical levels. And statistics show that cloud ERP ranks ahead of big data analytics, data integration, AI and IoT software initiatives planned for deployment this year, while on-premises ERP packaged business apps are near the bottom of IT's grocery list of priorities.

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There's time and place for SMBs to adopt SaaS-based ERP

SMBs face many issues when implementing SaaS ERP operations versus on-premises, plus the fact that one size cloud-based ERP platform doesn't necessarily fit all companies. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Robinson, New Era Technology

SMB reaps rewards of migrating QAD ERP system to the cloud

Moog's medical devices group moved its on-premises ERP system to the cloud, resulting in more reliable operation and a redirected IT focus on adding business value to the entire group. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

SMBs see vertical ERP technology vendors meeting specialty needs

The industry-specific ERP market is thriving, which is good news for SMBs looking to cost-effectively maintain their existing ERP systems with immediate specialty feature upgrades. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Pressures mount on SMBs to modernize aging ERP processes

To upgrade or replace their old and cranky ERP systems, SMBs must consider several options, and the cloud figures prominently. But the final decision is seen shifting away from IT. Continue Reading

By

• Ron Karjian, Industry Editor

Fueled by SaaS, ERP for SMBs soars into the cloud

SaaS is making ERP accessible to more small organizations, but is there a downside? Industry insiders weigh in on the ROI of SaaS vs. on-premises and hybrid ERP. Continue Reading

By

• David Essex, Industry Editor

Rethinking ERP cloud migrations in the age of AI and IoT

The flight path from your legacy ERP vendor's on-premises software to a cloud version needn't be linear. In fact, you may want to rethink the entire route. Continue Reading

By

• Bridget Botelho

Report: ERP security is weak, vulnerable and under attack

ERP security is in trouble, according to a new report. Many ERP systems connected to the internet are insecure, and users are lagging in installing updates. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

For ERP ROI, pay attention to these 12 business processes

ERP consultant Jeff Carr explains how digitally transforming processes such as inventory and sales management, product development and forecasting can speed up the payback from ERP. Continue Reading

By

• Jeff Carr

French transit develops chatbot with SAP Conversational AI

The transit system in the Paris metropolitan area is tackling an AI-driven chatbot project to create an easy way for riders to access personalized information. Here's a look. Continue Reading

By

• Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company

How to make the single-tenant vs. multi-tenant cloud ERP choice

Choosing between single-tenant and multi-tenant cloud requires understanding what each offers and which factors are most important for your organization. Here's a look. Continue Reading

By

• George Lawton

Cloud ERP systems complicate deployment options

The cloud has increased the options for running ERP systems, but also the complications. Companies should consider their business needs before selecting a deployment option. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Stackpole

Get to Industry 4.0 with a smart factory roadmap

Creating a smart factory needn't require starting from scratch. Here's advice on how you can create connectivity with the industrial machines you do have. Continue Reading

By

• Albert McKeon

The future of employee productivity begins in back office

The technology innovations that increase employee productivity are being supported by ERP systems, and this includes embedded AI technologies. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

ERP's increasing role in improving employee productivity

ERP system vendors may be playing a central role in encouraging adoption of advanced technologies. But it may be a hard sell as IT budgets stay lean. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

PLM platforms evolve for a role in IoT

Integration with IoT systems can extend the possibilities for PLM platforms, but according to experts, they must first evolve technically to handle the IoT data and processes. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Stackpole

Explore enterprise accounting software benefits and products

Explore enterprise accounting software vendors and products for growing and complex businesses -- products which fill the large gap between full-on ERP and SMB accounting software. Continue Reading

By

• Bob Violino

How do e-commerce returns affect reverse logistics management?

Customers expect to return purchases, which means you need to be proactive in your approach to reverse logistics. Here are some things to think about. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

Workday to acquire Adaptive Insights for $1.55 billion

Workday says its acquisition of Adaptive Insights, a financial planning and modeling system, will save it two years of development time. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Oracle claims it can cut ERP system migration costs by 30%

A migration can cost millions, but Oracle believes its new automation and integration tools can significantly reduce the cost of ERP system migrations to the cloud. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Can low-code development benefit supply chain management?

The low-code/no-code movement is exploding as it puts app development into the hands of business users. One possibly overlooked area for this technology is the supply chain. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

Is the lack of IIoT standards holding back industrial progress?

Some companies are blazing forward in their efforts to implement industrial IoT, while the issue of standards causes some to hold back until there is more clarity. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Supply chain risk mitigation strategies on multiple fronts

Experts say you can't tackle supply chain risk with a one-size-fits-all approach. It has to address many facets -- and supplier relationships are the key. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

IoT may throw a lifeline to PLM systems

PLM systems have functioned mostly in engineering, but now IoT-connected devices are allowing PLM to be more useful across the entire product lifecycle. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Stackpole

Dalsin Industries returns to on premises with Epicor ERP system

Dalsin Industries implemented a Plex cloud ERP system to replace an old Epicor system but moved back to on-premises Epicor when the cloud proved to be inadequate for its needs. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Smart manufacturing technology is changing business processes

The future is here: AI enablement and smart manufacturing technologies are transforming business systems today, according to technology futurist Jack Shaw. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Analyst details industrial roles of 3D printing technology

In this Q&A, Gartner analyst Pete Basiliere discusses how advancements in 3D printing may move beyond prototyping to help improve traditional manufacturing processes. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Contract lifecycle management highlighted at Apttus conference

Analysts, users tout CLM's risk management and revenue benefits at event by Apttus, maker of a 'middle office' repository for managing contracts across ERP, CRM and departments. Continue Reading

By

• George Lawton

Supply chain risk management tools vary from generic to niche

Specialized supply chain monitoring and risk tools exist, but you're more likely to use an assortment of general-purpose analytics, financial and GRC applications. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

Oracle Autonomous Database concept extended to PaaS, apps

Having earlier laid the foundation with Oracle Autonomous Database, the vendor unveiled self-driving, self-repairing tools for application development, analytics and integration. Continue Reading

By

• George Lawton

Three companies display 3D printing advances

Take a look at three printers from Nano Dimension, XJet, and HP demonstrated at the Rapid + TCT additive manufacturing conference that are prime examples of advances in 3D printing. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Financial management software vendors march ahead

Financial management software vendors FinancialForce, Vena Solutions and Model N have made recent moves to upgrade products, add third-party integrations or accelerate innovation. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Additive manufacturing industry still small but innovative

The Rapid+TCT 3D printing conference shows new developments in machines, materials and digital systems may fuel growth as an industrial manufacturing option. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Why do EDI standards dominate for electronic transactions?

The EDI standard format is the only option accepted by Walmart and other retailers. But as technology and data formats have changed over the years, is there a better way? Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

Acquisition gives ERP public sector firm Tyler a data cloud

Tyler Technologies, a firm solely focused on government verticals and public sector ERP, has added data-as-a-service capability by acquiring Socrata. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Blockchain adoption must overcome hurdles

Blockchain applications are not yet widespread, but here are three business models that will be affected and three hurdles to adoption that blockchain must overcome. Continue Reading

By

• Owen Pettiford

Santa Fe's ERP implementation project fix stirs debate

ERP implementation projects may be IT's most challenging, something the city of Santa Fe, N.M., found out. City officials needed a fix and considered three options. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

How will AI in demand forecasting help improve accuracy?

Changing consumer demand and supply chain disruptions are just two factors that might influence demand forecasting results. Here's a look at how AI can help. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Integrating IoT with EAM systems can provide insights

More EAM systems are using IoT data to offer information on systems and equipment, but it takes state-of-the-art analytics to return results quickly and get meaningful answers. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

Which supply chain visibility tools help improve logistics?

At the intersection of IoT, analytics and other technologies lies better supply chain visibility. Here's a look at what's making logistics a little easier. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Koegler

Hybrid ERP demands process integration, easy data access

SaaS apps can strengthen areas where ERP is weak, but to ensure the combo adds value, both sides must communicate seamlessly at the business-process, messaging and data levels. Continue Reading

By

• Barry Wilderman

IDC says supply chain 'killer' among blockchain use cases

Blockchain is gaining ground in the supply chain and financial services, according to IDC, and other third-platform technologies are enabling the digitization of the economy. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Fintech automation and AI may face trust issues

Fintech automation is gaining the ability to negotiate and execute contracts. But users will first have to learn to trust financial automation before turning on this capability. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

What should companies know about sustainability software?

Sustainability is composed of social, environmental and economic pillars. That's why technologies focused on this market address different needs. Here's a narrow glimpse. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Why craft beer makers are tapping into ERP for craft brewery software

As with other process manufacturers, ERP software can help craft breweries maintain quality, while better managing growth and unexpected success. Here's a look. Continue Reading

By

• Pam Baker

Integrating an EAM system with ERP makes sense, but isn't easy

Experts say that integrating EAM and ERP systems helps organizations utilize their physical and financial assets, but they need to address challenges to make the systems work together. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

Why is the smart factory concept key for manufacturing?

With the growth of connected technologies, the factory of the near-future is expected to work quite differently than the one of today. Here's a look. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Model N revenue management software gets new capabilities

ERP news briefs: Model N adapts its revenue management to include subscription, outcome-based, risk sharing, as well as physical product, pricing. Priority Software aims at U.S. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Major components maker ramps up AI in manufacturing

Artificial intelligence is making inroads into manufacturing systems. Case in point is printed circuits manufacturer Jabil, which uses AI to improve its processes and products. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

CFOs get argument for moving on-premises ERP systems to cloud

Cloud services can boost the nation's productivity by making advanced tech widely available. The cloud will be the major conduit to AI and other tools, a new report says. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Major components maker ramps up AI in manufacturing

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How can manufacturers begin an Industry 4.0 roadmap?

Are you driving toward the next industrial revolution? Industry 4.0 will transform the manufacturing landscape, according to experts. Here's how to get ready. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Nine critical features of budget management software

Workflow tools, multidimensional data structures and flexible reporting are among the capabilities that ensure the budgeting process supports strategic and financial goals. Continue Reading

By

• Barry Wilderman

E-commerce packaging waste becoming a bigger issue

With the rise of online shopping, the packaging waste is becoming more of an issue. Here's a look at why and at some of the early work to solve the problem. Continue Reading

By

• Pam Baker

Finding the root cause of ERP implementation failures

The root cause of ERP implementation failures may be delays in decision-making. Delays add up, which wastes time and imposes extra costs on a deployment. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Why is digital twin technology important for manufacturing's future?

The industrial IoT landscape and the concept of Industry 4.0 both rely heavily on digital twins to push them forward. Here's some explanation of why that is. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Translytical data platforms emerge with SAP HANA as a leader

SAP HANA is a leading translytical platform, according to Forrester, and consulting firm Convergent IS says the combination of transactional and analytical data creates new opportunities. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Survey says: ERP changes, more human-machine interactions coming by 2030

A Dell survey finds strong belief that humans and machines will work as integrated teams within five years. ERP systems, especially inventory, will be top automation target. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Office Depot says 'no' to Oracle ERP Cloud customizations

Office Depot believes it's possible to run its HCM, EPM and supply chain on the Oracle ERP Cloud without customizations. The retailer says it will save money and headaches. Analysts agree. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Scrutinize details when buying accounting software systems

Two resellers and a CPA offer tips on getting into the right mindset and conducting a rigorous process that pinpoints the account package that meets your current and future needs. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

Manufacturer fuels growth with outcome-based services

Saddled with an inadequate ERP field service application, PAC implemented ServiceMax to centralize field service and use service quality as a business differentiator. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

Estimating cost of ERP as SaaS requires ditching old methods

Experts suggest the true value of ERP as SaaS derives not from the early savings but from being able to use a more modern, adaptive and secure platform in the long run. Continue Reading

By

• Tony Kontzer

Oracle chosen as provider of shared ERP system for colleges

Private, nonprofit colleges are discovering they can reduce back-office IT costs by working together. Novel approaches are emerging to reduce the financial drain of ERP systems. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau

Voice user interfaces coming to the enterprise

As enterprise UX becomes more critical, VUIs may usurp traditional interfaces. For now, learn from advice and experiments, such as FinancialForce's integration of Alexa. Continue Reading

By

• George Lawton

How is inventory management for e-commerce challenging?

The inventory challenges of adding e-commerce to your supply chain are considerable. Here's a look at what they entail and how you might overcome them. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Cloud-based accounting software can be hub of tailored 'ERP'

Users explain why they chose their cloud core financial system and the thought process that goes into adding applications for key functions, like procurement, HR and case management. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

Mitsubishi Imaging transforms sales with e-commerce B2C software

When Mitsubishi Imaging wanted a B2C and B2B web store, it used Sana software to open Dynamics NAV ERP data to e-commerce. Changing business processes was the biggest challenge. Continue Reading

By

• Jim O'Donnell, News Director

AWS ERP migration required staff buy-in and curiosity

East Tennessee State University is moving its ERP systems from its data center to Amazon Web Services. It's a big project, and essential to its success was getting the IT staff on board. Continue Reading

By

• Patrick Thibodeau