Enterprise Resource Planning

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.

See on Linked-in.

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.

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 here.
See this post on Linked-in here.
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. 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.

Announcing Our New Educational Video on Mastering ERP Implementations

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we are excited to share our latest educational resource: a video titled "Controlling ERP Implementations: Key Factors for Project Excellence." This video, now available in our YouTube library, is designed to guide IT professionals and executives through the critical elements of successful ERP implementation projects.

ERP implementations are complex, and while the concepts behind project excellence are straightforward, their execution often falls short. Our video outlines ten essential Project Excellence Factors that can make the difference between a struggling project and a highly successful one. These factors are:

  1. Strong, Resolute Leadership: Effective leadership to navigate challenges and drive progress.
  2. Pre-implementation Planning: Critical groundwork to set a solid foundation.
  3. Skilled and Resourced Team: A capable team with the right expertise and mindset.
  4. Clearly Defined Scope: Tight scope control to minimize risks and maintain focus.
  5. Agile Project Management: Flexible, iterative approaches to adapt to evolving needs.
  6. Sustained Pace and Continuity: Consistent momentum to avoid costly delays.
  7. Informed Process and Metrics Design: Thoughtful design to address complex influencers.
  8. Effective Use of ERP Tools: Leveraging native ERP tools to meet business objectives.
  9. Adaptation to Native ERP: Embracing standard functionality with robust change management.
  10. Strategic Commercial Terms: Favorable agreements with vendors to optimize costs and outcomes.

This video provides practical insights into applying these factors to achieve sustainable, high-quality results in ERP implementations. Whether you’re an IT leader or a C-suite executive, this resource will equip you with a clear framework for project success.

Watch the video to learn more.

Stay tuned for more educational resources from EAI as we continue to drill into the realities of controlling ERP project costs, risks, and achieving superior results in support of enterprise business processes.

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