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.

We’re excited to announce a new educational video, Pay for ERP at Go-Live—When It Delivers Value, now available for IT personnel and executives involved in ERP projects. This concise video, led by industry expert Mark Engleman, challenges the conventional ERP payment model and offers practical strategies for aligning costs with value delivery.
Drawing on insights from over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, the video examines why vendors typically require substantial license fees at the purchase decision, often a year or more before the system goes live. Unlike physical products with high production costs, ERP software incurs minimal vendor costs per instance, yet buyers bear significant upfront expenses for a system that delivers no value until implementation is complete.

The video highlights two primary reasons for this “pay-up-front” model—vendor cash flow and buyer lock-in—neither of which prioritizes the buyer’s interests. It then proposes actionable alternatives:

Conducting preparatory implementation work without requiring the ERP system.
Negotiating deferred payment terms, allowing buyers to halt projects without further license costs.
Starting with limited ERP access and scaling closer to go-live.

These approaches reduce upfront costs, keep vendors engaged throughout implementation, and preserve flexibility for unexpected changes, such as a company sale.

This buyer-centric payment model offers a logical path forward and could reshape industry standards. Watch the video to learn more.

Summary video
on Pay for ERP at Go-Live.

Comprehensive video
on Pay for ERP at Go-Live.

Why Free Online ERP Information Falls Short

Explores Paying for ERP at Go-Live