Business Technology

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

Explore Cloud ERP and Buyer Options

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We’re excited to announce a new educational video now available for IT personnel and executives navigating ERP decisions.

Cloud ERP . . . What Is It Really? What Are Buyer’s Options?

Presented by industry expert Mark Engleman, this concise video leverages insights from over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996 to clarify the concept of Cloud ERP and outline the diverse access options available to buyers.

The video defines Cloud ERP as ERP accessed via a browser, typically freeing buyers from managing application infrastructure, servers, or technical details. While this turnkey model appears straightforward, the video emphasizes critical details that empower buyers to control access and manage costs effectively over time. It presents a framework for evaluating options, including:

  • Management responsibility (vendor, managed service provider, or buyer).
  • Physical location of the ERP (data center determined by buyer or buyer’s site).
  • Cost structures (subscription or perpetual license) and pricing terms.
  • Commercial terms to avoid restrictive vendor-driven agreements.

These considerations enable buyers to tailor Cloud ERP deployments to their needs while gaining proper physical and financial controls.
Videos on this topic:

For a more detailed analysis, download our white paper on this topic. Stay informed by subscribing to our YouTube channel and exploring our library of ERP-focused videos [link to channel].
We welcome your feedback—please share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below.

Cloud ERP
Cloud ERP

Summary video
on Cloud ERP.

Comprehensive video
on Cloud ERP.

Cloud ERP Whitepaper

Cloud ERP Failover Whitepaper

Is Cloud ERP Truly Easier to Implement?

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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.

Is Cloud ERP Easier to Implement?

Why Most ERP Advice Should Be Ignored

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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.

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.

Recommend Mega Cloud ERP

Why Free Online ERP Information Falls Short

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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.

Free Online ERP Info - Bad