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 book presents comprehensive strategies and techniques that enable organizations to take charge of their Enterprise Resource Planning projects to drive success. It is a guide to making informed decisions during each project phase. The author describes how to become less dependent on outside consultants, mitigate project risks, and significantly reduce system implementation costs. Just as important are strategies and methods for the project team and key stakeholders to identify business improvement opportunities within your organization and redesign processes to achieve the project benefits.

The book also contains many tips to create internal project ownership, select ERP software, manage service providers, transfer software knowledge, develop implementation strategies, establish a realistic schedule and budget, and properly test the new system. It also addresses the various system deployment options, emerging technology trends, and the implications from a software selection, implementation and on-going support standpoint.

This edition updated: November 2023

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.