In this blog, I would like to highlight some of the leading edge technology trends for both hardware and software that I think will be making a tangible impact this year in the ERP space.
Month: February 2016
Five Steps to a Successful ERP Change Management Plan
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In my last blog I introduced you to the “resistance-gnomes” – those very human voices that cry out in plaintive (or angry) voices at the smallest suggestion of change. Recognizing their humanity, however, does not mean giving them license to hinder your ERP implementation activities or even slow them down. As Harold Wilson, former Prime Minister of the UK, once remarked: “He who rejects change is the architect of decay.”
I would like to add to that thought: “He who rejects change management is not doing his (or her) company any favours!” The last several decades have seen many ERP implementation failures due in part to a lack of employee buy-in. You might remember the commotion over the implementation-related bankruptcy of US$ 5 Billion pharma company FoxMeyer Drugs, which experienced considerable employee sabotage, including damaged inventory and unfilled orders.
When Quantity Trumps Quality
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Being an armchair sports enthusiast is even more satisfying when your team is trouncing the competition. Coming back from 2-0 down to win the latest ODI series against England, South Africa did its diehard cricket fans proud this past weekend.
As I basked in the afterglow of their victory, I got to thinking about the effort that goes into such a resounding success. There has to be an optimal combination of all of the individual personnel and processes and a pursuit of excellence that spans across the entire team and throughout its support structures.
What is Driving the Differentiated User Experience?
Reading Time: 2 minutes
When I think about the most widely used phrases bandied about the office in 2015, ‘a meaningful user experience’ has to be one of them. And I’m sure that it will continue to feature throughout 2016.
As businesses continue to place the UX at the front and center of product and service improvements, it seems highly unlikely that any industry, sector or individual organization has remained unaffected by the quest for satisfying customer engagement.
Take enterprise resource planning (ERP) for example.
The challenging business landscape and growing demand for a meaningful user experience has encouraged ERP software developers to focus on developing innovative, customer-centric solutions.
So what is powering this pursuit for the ultimate UX?
Illuminating the Customer Experience
Reading Time: 2 minutes
For the past year or so I’ve been a loyal customer of a booming barbershop near the SYSPRO head office. I only realized recently that none of the barbers are able to speak English. It made me wonder how they had been able to build a successful business relying on clear communication with this direct impediment.
Why Upgrade?
Reading Time: 2 minutes
A few days ago, while travelling home, I decided to pop into a well-known UK supermarket to pick up some essentials. As I walked into the supermarket I spotted a huge sign at the end of every aisle that read: ‘From 8pm until 12am this evening this store will only accept cash payments. This is due to a software update that will not only make your shopping experience better but improve our reliability to you our customers. We apologies for any inconvenience.’
The Bleeding Edge of Technology Part 1
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In 1965, Dr. Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel, made the following observation – the number of transistors per integrated circuit was doubling every year, with a correlative doubling of processor speed. In 1975 he refined his observation to describe a two-year cycle.
10 Good Reasons to Automate your Supply Chain
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In recent years, manufacturers across the globe have felt the painful pinch of contracting economies. This trend looks set to continue in 2016 and on into 2017 with expectations of further downward pressure casting a pallor on the future of the sector.
