Mark Engleman

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.

erp implementation control

Can AI Simplify Your ERP Selection? Insights from Engleman Associates, Inc.

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we’ve guided over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996, always prioritizing the buyer’s perspective. In our latest ERP Now video, “Can AI Help You Choose the Right ERP?”, we explore how artificial intelligence can assist in selecting or optimizing an ERP system—and where it falls short.

AI can be a useful starting point when quality data is available. For instance, it can identify ERP systems commonly used by specific industries or highlight problematic vendor contract terms when prompted correctly. However, the ERP landscape is complex, with challenges like vendor misinformation, biased analyst reports, and unclear buyer requirements. These abstract variances limit AI’s ability to provide tailored, reliable recommendations.

Successful ERP selection still demands skilled buyer-seller interaction to define functional scope, rigorously test critical features, negotiate favorable terms, and choose implementers with proven expertise. At EAI, we specialize in navigating these complexities to deliver solutions that align with your business needs.

Watch the full video below to learn more about leveraging AI effectively in your ERP journey and discover practical insights from our decades of experience.

For additional resources, explore our ERP Now video series linked in the video description. Stay informed and contact EAI for expert guidance on your next ERP project.

Enshittification and Its Impact on ERP Systems

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we provide IT professionals and executives with actionable insights drawn from over 25 years and 1,000 ERP projects. In our latest educational video, “Enshittification and ERP,” Mark Engleman explores the concept of enshittification—a term describing the gradual decline in quality of online products and services—and its significant implications for cloud ERP systems.

Enshittification follows a predictable pattern: vendors initially offer high-quality solutions to attract users, then shift focus to prioritize revenue generation, and finally degrade the offering to maximize stakeholder profits, particularly when users face high barriers to switching. For ERP systems, which are costly and time-consuming to replace, this degradation poses a serious risk to buyers who rely on these mission-critical applications.

The video outlines the enshittification process and discusses potential solutions, including technical and ethical reforms by vendors, which may require collective buyer pushback and advocacy to enforce. For individual companies now, achieving greater commercial and physical control over ERP applications and data is essential for mitigating these risks.

Watch the video for a concise analysis of this critical issue:

For further insights, explore the related ERP resources linked in the video description. Visit our YouTube channel for additional content, and share your thoughts in the comments below. Subscribe to stay updated on ERP trends and strategies.

Enshittification and Its Impact on ERP Systems

The Lack of Buyer Control in Seller-Managed Cloud ERP

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we draw on over 25 years and 1,000 ERP projects to deliver precise, buyer-focused insights for IT professionals and executives. In our latest educational video, “Buyer’s Commercial Control Near Zero - With Cloud ERP,” Mark Engleman addresses a critical issue with seller-managed cloud ERP systems: the near-total lack of commercial and physical application control for buyers.

Seller-managed cloud ERP, where vendors handle all aspects of delivery, leaves buyers vulnerable due to four key realities:

One-sided contracts: Modern cloud ERP agreements heavily favor vendors, often including provisions for unilateral changes post-subscription term.

No physical control: Unlike traditional on-premises ERP, where buyers owned licenses and hosted systems, cloud ERP buyers have little to no control over the physical infrastructure that delivers the ERP.

High switching costs: Replacing an ERP system, cloud or otherwise, is a complex process that can take a year or more, discouraging changes.

Rising costs: With limited buyer leverage, vendors face little resistance to increasing subscription fees.

This combination of poor commercial terms and lack of physical control places buyers of mission-critical ERP systems in a precarious position. In the video, Mark outlines these challenges and offers guidance on how buyers can push back.

Watch the video for a detailed discussion.

For strategies to address these issues, explore the resources linked in the video description. Visit our YouTube channel for more ERP insights, and share your feedback in the comments below. Subscribe to stay informed.

No Control Over Cloud ERP Systems

The Absurdity of ERP Vendor Terms That Silence Buyers

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At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI), we leverage over 25 years and 1,000 ERP projects to provide IT professionals and executives with candid, buyer-focused insights into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. In our latest educational video, “Complaining About the ERP Vendor Is Not Allowed,” Mark Engleman examines a troubling trend in ERP vendor contracts: commercial terms that prohibit buyers from making disparaging comments about the vendor.

In recent years, ERP vendor agreements have increasingly imposed restrictive terms that shift risk onto buyers. One particularly absurd example is a clause that seeks to prevent buyers from publicly criticizing the vendor, effectively stifling legitimate feedback. Such terms, often vaguely worded with phrases like “not limited to,” could potentially restrict any negative commentary, public or private. While these clauses may appear mutual, they disproportionately favor the vendor, as buyers—whose operations depend heavily on the ERP system—have far more reasons to voice concerns.

In the video, Mark shares a real-world case where a client successfully challenged and removed this clause, highlighting its lack of rational basis. This example underscores a broader issue: the erosion of buyer control in ERP agreements and the audacity of vendors attempting to suppress valid pushback, whether in user groups, legal actions, or other forums.

Watch the video to learn more about this concerning trend.

For additional insights, explore our related content and video library. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe for more ERP-focused discussions.

ERP Vendors’ Non-Disparage Terms