Is Cloud ERP Truly Easier to Implement?

May 15, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

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.

Why Most ERP Advice Should Be Ignored

May 14, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

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.

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.

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.

Understanding the Risks of Cloud ERP Vendor Failure

July 17, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

At Engleman Associates, Inc. (EAI) we are committed to providing IT professionals and business executives with clear, experience-based insights into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. In our latest educational video, “What if the Cloud ERP Vendor Fails,” Mark Engleman addresses a critical yet often overlooked risk of cloud-based ERP systems: the potential failure of the vendor. This article and video are based on expertise gained in over 25 years and 1,000 ERP projects at EAI.

Cloud ERP is frequently marketed as a seamless, service-oriented solution. However, its accessibility hinges entirely on the vendor’s operational stability. No company is immune to failure, and cloud ERP vendors are no exception. When internal mismanagement or external pressures overwhelm a vendor, the result can be sudden insolvency—often with minimal warning. This leaves users without access to a mission-critical system that can take a year or more to replace, potentially disrupting operations and supply chains on a broad scale.

In this concise video, we explore the mechanics of such failures, the absence of advance notice, and the severe implications for businesses left without a failover plan. We also highlight why relying solely on a vendor-controlled system without a robust recovery strategy is a risky proposition.

Watch the video to gain a deeper understanding of this critical issue.
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.
View on Linked-in.

We welcome your feedback—please share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below.

Why Cloud ERP Without Local Failover Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen

Introduces “The ERP Boundary”

August 4, 2025May 9, 2025 by Mark Engleman

We’re pleased to share a new educational video, The ERP Boundary, now available for IT personnel and executives engaged in ERP initiatives. Led by industry expert Mark Engleman, this concise video draws on insights from over 1,000 ERP projects since 1996 to address a critical yet often overlooked aspect of ERP planning: defining the appropriate scope of business processes an ERP system should support.

The video introduces the concept of the “ERP Boundary,” which outlines the footprint of business processes an ERP should encompass. Represented visually by a diagram (the orange boundary shown below), this boundary is essential for aligning ERP capabilities with organizational needs. Failing to define it accurately can lead to errors in ERP selection, unnecessary costs, and implementation challenges.

To establish an effective ERP Boundary, the video recommends evaluating:

General functional capabilities of current market ERP generally suitable for the buyer.
The complexity of the buyer’s business processes.
The buyer’s existing business applications.

As these factors evolve, the ERP Boundary should be reassessed to inform future decisions. Watch the video for a clear overview:

Summary video
on The ERP Boundary.

Comprehensive video
on The ERP Boundary.