Unlocking Significant ERP Cost Savings

May 15, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

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.

Selecting an ERP Implementer

July 6, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

Engleman Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of our latest educational video, Selecting an ERP Implementer, now available in links below. Presented by Mark Engleman, this video draws on insights from over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996 to provide practical guidance for IT personnel and executives tasked with choosing an ERP implementer.

The video outlines critical factors for evaluating potential implementers, including:

Consultant team expertise, particularly the role of the big-picture analyst.
Billing rates for consulting and developer roles.
Proximity to improve timely on-site support, ideally within one flight leg to minimize delays.
Commercial terms that give buyers control over their project and deliverables.
Implementer adaptability to align with the buyer’s preparedness.

Additionally, Mark addresses common misconceptions, advising buyers to discount:

Statements of Work with unreliable consulting time estimates and costs.
Claims of superior methodology, usually just sales rhetoric.
General assurances from implementer leadership, which may not address underlying project risks.

Explore these video and our broader collection of ERP resources to support informed decision-making in your ERP initiatives.

Summary video
on Selecting an ERP Implementer.

Comprehensive video
on Selecting an ERP Implementer.

White paper on ERP implementation control

Is Cloud ERP Truly Easier to Implement?

May 15, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

We are excited to announce our latest educational video, "Is Cloud ERP Easy to Implement?", now available. Designed for IT personnel and executives, this video tackles the common claim that Cloud ERP is inherently easier to implement than on-premise single-instance ERP.

Drawing on our extensive experience with over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, the video examines the origins of this perception, often fueled by Cloud ERP vendors’ marketing and the broader narrative of cloud solutions being “easier” due to managed hardware and software. However, it clarifies that implementation effort hinges on factors unrelated to hosting or payment models, including:

Complexity of the buyer’s business processes
Functionality and configurability of the ERP solution
The buyer’s ability to effectively manage the implementation process

The video underscores that while Cloud ERP may simplify infrastructure management, true implementation success depends on these critical factors listed above, not the deployment model.

We invite you to watch this insightful video to better understand the realities of ERP implementation. Explore additional ERP resources in the video description, and stay updated by liking and subscribing to our channel for future content.

Thanks for your interest, and certainly call us with questions you may have.

Why Most ERP Advice Should Be Ignored

May 14, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

We are pleased to share our latest educational video, now available on our website.

"Mega Cloud ERP is a Good ERP for Your Company . . . Or Is It?"

This concise commentary addresses a critical issue in ERP decision-making: the pitfalls of accepting summary or explicit ERP recommendations without thorough context.

Targeted at IT personnel and executives, the video outlines why no ERP should be recommended by anyone, or any entity, without a detailed understanding of key factors of the company seeking ERP, including:

Business process complexity
Existing application landscape (e.g., MES, quality systems, online ordering)
Strategic objectives and industry dynamics
Financial capacity for ERP investment
Implementation resources of the ERP vendor—including independents

Drawing on our experience with over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, the video emphasizes the risks of hastily made ERP decisions, which can undermine project credibility and stability, especially when implementation challenges arise. It also explores scenarios where enhancing an existing ERP system may be a more prudent choice than replacement.

We invite you to watch this video to gain actionable insights into making informed ERP decisions. Explore our collection of ERP-focused resources for further guidance.

For additional details, check the video description for links to related content. Stay informed—watch, like, and subscribe to our channel for ongoing ERP insights.

Thanks for your interest, and certainly call us with questions you may have.

Why Free Online ERP Information Falls Short

June 25, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

At Engleman Associates, Inc. we’re committed to providing clear, actionable insights for organizations navigating the complex world of ERP systems. Our latest educational video, hosted by Mark Engleman, draws on over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996 to address a critical issue: the limitations and risks of relying on free online information about ERP systems.

Aimed at IT personnel and executives, this video examines why much of the readily available online content—such as ERP ratings, cost estimates, and functionality descriptions—is often superficial or misleading. Mark explains how these resources, frequently designed to generate sales leads rather than inform, can lead to flawed decision-making. Key points include:

Inaccurate Cost Representations: Simplified indicators like dollar signs fail to account for the significant cost variations driven by buyer expertise and negotiation.
Misleading Functionality Claims: Vendor-provided or third-party functionality descriptions are often unreliable, as outlined in our accompanying white paper.
A Better Approach: The video outlines a structured process for evaluating ERP systems, focusing on proven track records, defensible viability, and carefully selected business and technical differentiators.

We invite you to watch this concise video to learn how to approach ERP selection with confidence and avoid common pitfalls. View it below and explore related resources, including our white paper that provides details of the weaknesses of any functionality representations about ERP that is not directly and carefully gathered by the buyer of ERP.

Thanks for your interest and certainly call us with questions you may have.