ERP Cost Control

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. View on Linked-in.

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.

See on Linked-in.

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

Why ERP License Contracts Are Not True Contracts

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We are pleased to announce our latest educational video, “Contracts to Access ERP - Are Not Really Contracts”, now available on our YouTube channel and embedded below for your convenience. Designed for IT personnel and executives, this concise video examines why typical ERP license contracts from vendors are so fundamentally flawed that they fail to qualify as legitimate contracts.

Drawing on our experience with over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, the video explains how ERP contracts often undermine buyer protections through vague language, unilateral seller rights to modify terms, and references to external documents with unclear precedence. These elements, combined with explicit constraints on buyers and broad seller privileges, prioritize vendor control and cost escalation over mutual agreement, particularly given the high costs and risks of changing ERP systems. The video also highlights how this industry trend has worsened over the past 15 years.

Watch the embedded video to gain critical insights into the deficiencies of standard ERP contracts and their implications for buyers. For guidance on securing appropriate commercial terms and costs, explore the related resources linked in the video description. Be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel for ongoing ERP expertise. Thanks for your interest, and certainly call us with questions you may have.

See on Linked-in.

Why ERP Software Contracts Are Nearly Useless for Buyers

Why RFPs Are Unsuitable for ERP Selection

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We are happy to announce our latest educational video, “The Unsuitability of an RFP”, now available on our YouTube channel and embedded below for your convenience. Tailored for IT personnel and executives, this concise video explains why the classic Request for Proposal (RFP) process is ill-suited for evaluating and selecting ERP business applications.

Based on our extensive experience with over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, the video highlights the mismatch between the RFP’s structured approach and the complex, nuanced nature of ERP decision-making. It explores four critical areas—functionality, cost, commercial terms, and implementation services—where RFPs fall short due to vague requirements, opaque pricing models, and the need for direct, strategic engagement with vendors. The video emphasizes that achieving optimal ERP selection, cost control, and durable terms requires hands-on, targeted interactions with sellers, which an RFP cannot practically facilitate.

Watch the embedded video to gain valuable insights into avoiding common ERP selection pitfalls. Or view on Linked-in.

For additional resources, check the links in the video description and explore our full collection of ERP-focused content. Please like and subscribe to our YouTube channel for ongoing expert guidance.

RFP Approach Fails for ERP Selection

Unlocking Significant ERP Cost Savings

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We are pleased to introduce our latest educational video, “Controlling ERP Costs: Achieving Significant Savings”, now available. This comprehensive 29-minute presentation, based on the insights from our recent white paper, Controlling Costs when Buying Access to ERP, addresses how buyers can achieve substantial initial and ongoing cost reductions when purchasing access to ERP systems.

Aimed at IT personnel and executives, the video draws on our experience with over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996 to highlight the often-exploitative practices within the ERP industry and the critical need for informed buyer strategies. It outlines actionable methods to secure cost savings, potentially reducing typical ERP lifecycle costs by 50% or more. Key topics include:

  • Initial Cost Reduction: Targeting up to 50% off standard ERP pricing through informed negotiation.
  • Ongoing Cost Control: Establishing escalation terms and fixed pricing for additional licenses or subscriptions to greatly reduce long-term expenses.
  • Avoiding Double Payments: Strategies to defer payments until go-live and mitigate costs when transitioning between ERP systems.
  • Protecting Future Flexibility: Securing rights for license retirement, conversion, and data access for retired ERP systems.

The video emphasizes the importance of aligning buyer needs with ERP capabilities, setting realistic cost objectives, and leveraging competition among vendors to achieve favorable terms. It serves as a practical guide for navigating the complexities of ERP purchasing while avoiding common pitfalls.

We invite you to watch this in-depth video below to gain valuable insights into controlling ERP costs effectively. For further details, explore the full white paper and related resources linked in the video description. Stay informed by liking and subscribing to our channel for ongoing ERP guidance.

Control ERP Software Costs