Mark Engleman

Why Fixed-Bid ERP Implementations Are Unrealistic: Insights from Engleman Associates, Inc.

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we’ve guided over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, delivering practical, buyer-focused advice. In our latest ERP Now video, “Why a Fixed Bid ERP Implementation Is Pure Fantasy,” we address the misconception that ERP implementations can be accurately quoted upfront.

ERP projects are inherently complex, with unpredictable variables—unique business challenges, unforeseen obstacles, and evolving requirements—that make fixed bids unreliable. Like an uncharted expedition, the true scope and cost of an ERP implementation only become clear as the project unfolds. Vendors offering fixed bids may use them as a tactic to secure contracts, leaving buyers to face inevitable cost overruns.

The key to controlling costs and achieving successful outcomes lies with the buyer. Effective planning, disciplined execution, and proactive management are critical. Our new video explains why fixed bids are impractical and offers insights into how buyers can take charge of their ERP journey.

Watch the full video for actionable advice drawn from decades of experience.

For more strategies on managing ERP implementations, explore our ERP Now video series linked in the video description. Contact EAI for expert guidance tailored to your ERP needs.

Fixed-Cost ERP Proposals

Understanding Cloud ERP Application Speed Issues: Insights from Engleman Associates, Inc.

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we bring over 1,000 ERP projects of experience since 1996 to provide buyers with actionable insights. In our latest ERP Now video, “Cloud ERP Application Speed Issues for Users,” founder Mark Engleman addresses a critical concern: the potential for significant speed issues in Cloud ERP applications and the limited control buyers have to resolve them.

While Cloud ERP vendors often emphasize uptime guarantees (e.g., 99.9%), these metrics rarely address application speed—the responsiveness users experience when entering data, running reports, or managing workflows. EAI’s analysis highlights two key factors related to ERP speed: (1) IT infrastructure that may cause issues that are out of the firm control of the ERP sellers, and (2) the seller’s internal calculation for spending as little as they can to reasonably deliver the ERP application remotely.

Watch the full video to learn more about Cloud ERP speed issues and why sellers of ERP are ultimately not very concerned.

For additional resources, explore our ERP Now video series linked in the video description. Stay informed and contact EAI for expert guidance on your next ERP project.

cloud erp speed

New Video Release – Escaping ERP: Challenges and Smart Buying Strategies

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we’ve guided over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, delivering practical, buyer-focused insights to IT professionals and executives navigating complex enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Today, we’re excited to announce the release of our latest video in the ERP Now series, titled “Escaping an ERP: Why It’s So Hard.” In this concise, under-three-minute video, EAI founder Mark Engleman addresses the challenges of switching ERP systems—often described as “escaping” when a move is forced—and shares critical strategies for selecting the right ERP from the start to minimize future risk of such an escape.

Why Watch?

Switching ERP systems is a daunting task, marked by high costs, significant risks, and operational disruptions. Many organizations feel trapped in compromised systems due to these barriers. In this video, Mark underscores why escaping an ERP is so challenging, the behavior this creates with most buyers, and how ERP sellers exploit the situation. Also covered are five essential contract terms to negotiate when purchasing an ERP. These terms—covering aspects like vendor shutdown prevention, cost stability, failover plans, controlled migrations, and data access—empower buyers to maintain control and greatly increase options for a more orderly escape – or to avoid the escape entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the financial, operational, and strategic hurdles of ERP migrations.
  • Learn proactive steps to negotiate ERP contracts that protect your organization.
  • Gain insights from EAI’s decades of experience helping clients avoid common ERP pitfalls.

Watch Now

Watch the video to explore these insights and equip your team with the knowledge to make informed ERP decisions.

For additional resources, including links to related content, visit the video’s description on our YouTube channel. Explore our full ERP Now series for more expert guidance on ERP strategy, selection, and implementation.

Stay informed and protect your business—watch now and subscribe to our channel for future updates.

Engleman Associates, Inc. – Your Trusted ERP Advisory Partner

Escaping your ERP

How AI Can Help Fix One-Sided ERP Contracts: New Video from Engleman Associates

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we’ve guided over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, giving us deep insight into the challenges IT professionals and executives face when navigating enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects. One critical issue is the imbalance in ERP vendor contracts, which always favor the vendor and expose buyers to significant risks. Our latest video, “How AI Can Help Fix One-Sided ERP Contracts,” presented by EAI founder Mark Engleman, addresses can significantly contribute to solving this problem.

In this concise, under-three-minute video, Mark explains how to properly prompt modern AI tools to significantly speed to process to fix unfair commercial terms. By analyzing vendor terms—often scattered across multiple documents—AI can quickly identify one-sided clauses, highlight risks, and propose balanced language. This process saves hours of manual review and equips your team to negotiate fairer terms with confidence. The video also includes a template AI prompt, available in the YouTube description, to help you get started.

While AI is a powerful tool for contract analysis, it has limitations in the broader ERP selection process—a topic we explore in another video linked in the description.

Watch the embedded video to learn how AI can transform your ERP contract negotiations. For more expert insights on ERP strategies, visit our YouTube channel or explore our resources. Have questions? Contact us directly or leave a comment on the video—we’re here to help.

Why Free Online ERP Information Is Unreliable: Insights from Mark Engleman

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we are resolved to deliver reliable ERP advisory services based on over 1,000 client projects since 1996. In our latest video from the ERP Now series, founder Mark Engleman addresses a critical issue for IT professionals and executives: the unreliability of free online information regarding complex ERP business applications.

In this short video, Mark explores the pitfalls of relying on online resources such as ranking lists, functionality representations, and license cost ranges. He explains that much of this "free advice" is designed not to inform but to generate leads. Developers of these resources often compile data to identify potential ERP buyers, subsequently selling this information to ERP companies and resellers. This practice, frequently supported by sponsored listings at the top of search results, undermines the credibility of even potentially useful online ERP research.

Mark highlights specific areas of concern, including the subjective nature of cost representations and the significant inaccuracies in functionality claims made by sellers or third parties. He notes that a skilled buyer can substantially reduce lifecycle costs, given ERP’s nature as intellectual property with minimal incremental release costs. For a deeper dive into functionality inaccuracies, EAI has published a white paper, accessible via the video description.

So, how can organizations obtain reliable ERP insights? Mark recommends focusing on relevant questions and objectives, followed by direct engagement with competent representatives from the seller. For additional resources, viewers can explore links in the video description, including other videos in our ERP Now series.

Watch the full video to gain actionable insights from Mark Engleman’s extensive experience:

For more information, visit the links provided in the video description or contact Engleman Associates, Inc. to discuss your ERP needs with our expert team.

Free Online ERP Information