You'd like to move your company forward - No, you need to move your company forward. But, chances are you can't because your business continually changes, and your software can't always keep up.

The challenge today is not so much to pick software that works (because the vast majority can do the basics well), but to choose the one:

• That has the fundamentals to run your business.
• That can conform to the way you do business.
• That has the technology to simplify the implementation.

Making the right software decision can be a key enabler for your company's productivity, growth, and profits. Making the wrong decision can be devastating.

Seven Keys to Successful Implementation

Rather than concentrate on why implementation results are sometimes less than spectacular, let's look at factors that enhance success. While other lists are possible, we have determined seven that are crucial:

1. Proper assessment
2. Well-defined project organization
3. Clear roles and responsibilities
4. Defined system requirements
5. Extensive education program
6. Aggressive education goals and measures
7. Detailed project planning

Please call for our white paper describing this process in detail.

Defining Where You Are

Let us discuss the assessment phase in more detail.

Assessment - No march into the future is possible, unless your company knows where it is starting. To do this, company goals and objectives must be clearly stated and understood. Business processes...the real ones actually used, not the written ones in the procedure manuals... must be documented. Critical issues facing the business must be identified. The organization's ability to add the daunting task of ERP implementation must be ascertained. This baseline audit must be conducted by unbiased, experienced industry professionals.

Consider these sobering facts: ERP is the most complex process in your business...all functions will be affected; all transactions will be recorded in terms of financial results; all mistakes go directly to the bottom line (without passing Go and without collecting $200!). ERP is mission critical...do it right and customers will see improved products, shorter lead times and better service; do it wrong and whole segments of the business may be brought to a halt.

The consequences of failure are frightening...and expensive. One pharmaceutical company, after spending over $60 Million dollars went bankrupt. A major global chemical company has spent nearly $500 Million dollars and is not finished. A clear-eyed assessment of the starting point will tell you how far you will have to go; the condition of those who will have to make the journey; and the nature of some of the obstacles in the way of your destination.

Using Technology to Drive Profits and Market Share

Our choices and recommendations for your technology platform, including all e-business elements, are made on the basis of what drives the success of your business - we consider your long-term strategy, current staff and expertise, cost and budget, and time-to-market constraints as essential factors in technology selection - we listen, learn and then recommend solutions that will achieve results.

Whether you are make-to-stock or make-to-order; whether you manufacture in discrete lots or continuous flow; we can help you select the software that is right for your business.