November 2014 - SYSPRO Blog

Is ERP an Expense, or an Investment

March 4, 2021November 27, 2014 by Wayne Slater

Reading Time: 2 minutes

dave_c_expense_vs_investment Having been in the IT industry long enough to remember when the idea of “ERP” first started making the rounds, I have watched with some fascination the struggle that organizations go through to decide how to justify an enterprise solution strategy. At the same time as a business owner or manager decides they must acquire the latest automated machinery with the belief that it will improve the business; often a decision about enterprise software is put on the back burner because the cost seems higher than anyone knows how to explain in the context of the overall business. Although it is obvious that I’m biased on this discussion, there is often a compelling case for understanding your business inputs, processes and outcomes more fully that is ignored, and opportunities to make the business function better are passed up.

Measuring Process Performance

March 4, 2021November 25, 2014 by Louise Thompson

Reading Time: 2 minutes

louise_measuring_process_performance As we head towards a new year, I have been having a number of conversations with work colleagues and ERP consultants on the subject of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and their effectiveness. Out of these discussions it can be concluded that there are good and there are poor KPIs.

Wearing my ERP hat a good example of this is looking at the role of a Purchase Order clerk. A logical metric to ensure they are performing and doing a full days’ work could be to measure the number of purchase orders and purchase order lines they capture in a day. In most environments this would be a poor KPI, as that could lead to more stock being ordered than you need at any one time, resulting in tied-up capital. A good KPI for a purchasing clerk could be the price they are paying for goods, as it will indicate if they have negotiated a good deal on behalf of the company.

Gamification and ERP training

March 4, 2021November 20, 2014 by Natasha Burt

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I have never been a ‘gamer’ – in my definition that’s someone who spends a significant amount of their leisure time playing video games. My husband, on the other hand, is an avid gamer – so much so that one of his groomsmen got us an X-Box One as a wedding gift! This got me wondering if I am missing something – why do people escape to these virtual worlds and how do the games keep them interested and coming back for more?

In her TED talk ‘Gaming can make a better world’, Jane McGonigal provides some valuable insight into my contemplations – online video games engage and motivate gamers by providing:

ERP and the Evolution of Packaging

March 4, 2021November 18, 2014 by Meryl Malcomess

Reading Time: < 1 minute

width= Optimizing supply chain processes is essential for managing a business in the midst of a changing industry. A dynamic industry dictates that companies must re-evaluate their processes with a focus on operational efficiencies and strategic use of technology.

This is where it is imperative for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to step in.

The packing industry in particular is characterized by constantly changing market conditions, technological advancements, relentless competitive pressure, seasonal and regional variations as well as fluctuating costs for both raw materials and business operations.

Using Forecasting to Streamline Sales and Operations

March 4, 2021November 13, 2014 by Steve Bassaw

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The disconnect between Sales and Operations in manufacturing companies is so common that it is almost a cliché. I’ve experienced it myself and I’ve met plenty of people at other companies going through the same struggles. Maybe you see some of this in your own company.

Sales perceives Operations as incompetent, unable to deliver the right products at the right time. Operations perceives Sales as unpredictable, overly demanding, and unreasonable. And customers are unhappy because they’re being shorted.

5 Questions on Technology Selection

March 4, 2021November 11, 2014 by Andy Latham

Reading Time: < 1 minute

width=

I am a great believer in moving with the times and making sure that I use the most appropriate and up to date technology when delivering solutions to my customers. So I read with interest an article that mirrored my philosophy almost exactly.

I para phrase but in essence the article was warning against choosing ERP systems with ageing core technologies and modern flashy front ends. I couldn’t agree more. Where my views differ slightly is that I believe no single technology can cover all aspects of an ERP system and that it is essential to use a blend of technologies applying the most appropriate to the task in hand. I am also very wary of the next “latest and greatest”, our industry is littered with products written to the latest craze only to find the fashion has been dropped a year later.

What Corn Tells Us About How Innovation Spreads Through an Industry

March 4, 2021November 6, 2014 by Wayne Slater

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Farming corn (or maize) seems simple, but it isn’t, and it is the business of farming corn that is so instructive to anyone interested in the spread of innovation.

Why should I care about the spread of innovation?

Like it or not, we live in a time where every aspect of your business is impacted by innovations. Adopting innovations ahead of your competitors gives you an advantage until they catch up. And with so many innovations available, that gives you plenty of opportunities.

High Level Customization – Get it Right!

March 4, 2021November 4, 2014 by Chris Grunwell

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I have been spending a great deal more time ‘on the road’ in recent months due to the change in my position in July at K3 Syspro. As well as crossing England’s infamous North/South divide on a weekly basis, I have also come into contact with some very high-level customizations both within and outside of the SYSPRO system – some good, some bad. This has lead me to ponder how best to connect all of these technologies to work in the most effective way. The technologies I’ve come into contact with on my travels can be summarized as follows:

Discover SYSPRO ERP

Discover SYSPRO ERP

Is ERP an Expense, or an Investment

Measuring Process Performance

Gamification and ERP training

ERP and the Evolution of Packaging

Using Forecasting to Streamline Sales and Operations

5 Questions on Technology Selection

What Corn Tells Us About How Innovation Spreads Through an Industry

Why should I care about the spread of innovation?

Read more

High Level Customization – Get it Right!

Share this page

Connect with SYSPRO