Control Your ERP Destiny

The history of implementing ERP systems has shown that leaving the fate of your Enterprise Resource Planning project in the hands of software consultants and vendors may only create a false sense of security. While the help of consultants is usually required, they are not all-knowing, have a limited ability to control the keys to project success, and are often the beneficiaries of cost overruns. When it comes to software vendors, their sales people will be long gone when it comes time to go-live with the new system. This is not your typical book about implementing ERP systems. It is designed to facilitate action and is a guide to making informed decisions every step along the way. When implementing ERP software, it is not only what you do; but how you do it, that can spell the difference between a raging success and an outright failure. The author describes how to mitigate project risks, significantly reduce implementation costs and manage your services providers. It includes many tips to select ERP software and consultants, transfer software knowledge, develop the right implementation strategies, establish a realistic schedule and budget, redesign processes, and properly test the new system. It also addresses the various application and system infrastructure deployment options, emerging technology trends, and the implications from a software selection, implementation and on-going support standpoint. It also addresses the various application and system infrastructure deployment options, emerging technology trends, and the implications from a software selection, implementation and on-going support standpoint. The information in this book is applicable to new implementations and system upgrades. This edition updated: November 2024 The audiobook version of this book is available on Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Spotify. Reviews "There really aren't many "must-read" ERP books in the 30 year (or so) history of ERP, but you can add this book to the must-read list. The book fits nicely into what I call the Center of Excellence movement - the push by ERP customers to gain more value out of their ERP investments and endure less headaches. The book is a combination of hard-won advice, cautionary tales, and a bit of a manifesto for not placing blind trust in third party consultancies." - Jon Reed, SAP/ERP Market Analyst. "You owe it to your company and yourself to read this book. If you do so, you will sharply increase your odds for success and spend a lot less money. Steve has done the ERP industry a big service." - Tom F. Wallace, early ERP pioneer, author, and Distinguished Fellow at The Ohio State University Center for Operational Excellence. "If the Project Management Institute (PMI) had a certification program in ERP Management, this would be the only textbook needed." - Andy Klee, President, Klee Associates, ERPtips.com (SAP), and JDEtips.com (Oracle Enterprise One). "I love this book." - R. Ray Wang. CEO & Principal Analyst of Constellation Research, a founding partner of the Altimeter Group, and a thought leader in enterprise digital transformation. About the Author Steven Phillips is an ERP professional with over twenty-seven years of implementation experience as a software consultant and a practitioner within industry. His background includes senior management education, software selection, project management, application consulting, process redesign, systems design, testing, training, and post go-live support. This extensive knowledge is coupled with a rare combination of functional experience in operations management, IT management, and business reengineering. His industry experiences include manufacturing, distribution, business services, and the public sector. Steve has a degree in Production and Operations Management with advanced studies in Industrial Management. Previously certified by the American Production and Inventory Control Society, he has written articles appearing in APICS publications.