Why RFPs Are Unsuitable for ERP Selection

July 31, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

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.

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

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.