Any ERP implementation professionals here (SAP, JDE, Lawson, etc.)?

[Fraiche]

I am considering perhaps diving into this field.

Any stories of challenges anyone would like to share?

 

[cross22]

Originally Posted by Fraiche

I am considering perhaps diving into this field.

Any stories of challenges anyone would like to share?

It is now pretty much either Oracle or SAP.

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by cross22

It is now pretty much either Oracle or SAP.

That's not true anymore. Only large corporations would use Oracle or SAP due to the cost.

There are other more agile ERP software available on the market that would suffice for growing companies, like JDE and Lawson that I mentioned.

Do you have experience in implementing either Oracle or SAP?

 

[cross22]

Originally Posted by Fraiche

That's not true anymore. Only large corporations would use Oracle or SAP due to the cost. There are other more agile ERP software available on the market that would suffice for growing companies, like JDE and Lawson that I mentioned. Do you have experience in implementing either Oracle or SAP?
JDE is an Oracle product now as is PeopleSoft, and same goes for Siebel (CRM). The next generation products are likely going to be more Saas solutions Like salesforce, and two tier ERPs are becoming more common. I have a fair amount of ERP experience, do you have a specific question?

 

[countdemoney]

And what part of implementation are you looking at getting into?

Based on your response to cross, you don't know the field and attitudinally will have a difficult road in any kind of consulting environment.

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by cross22

JDE is an Oracle product now as is PeopleSoft, and same goes for Siebel (CRM). The next generation products are likely going to be more Saas solutions Like salesforce, and two tier ERPs are becoming more common.

I have a fair amount of ERP experience, do you have a specific question?

I was speaking of Oracle as the enterprise software package, not the corporation itself so I am aware of the acquisition of both JDE and PS. Since there have been a major shift in developing agile and scalable infrastructures like cloud services, I was looking to see where the ERP world was heading and wanted to get more information on what software/companies are on the cutting edge.

I think your answer regarding Saas solutions is exactly what I am looking for. I am currently in a position where I have the opportunity to be a part of ERP projects if I choose to and was wanted to hear from experienced folks to see if it was worth getting in to.

 

[countdemoney]

You should also take a look at Ariba. They've been growing their presence in Fortune 500's. While not a true ERP, or at least not having a solution for the largest manufacturers, they certainly seem to be inching that way.

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by countdemoney

You should also take a look at Ariba. They've been growing their presence in Fortune 500's. While not a true ERP, or at least not having a solution for the largest manufacturers, they certainly seem to be inching that way.

Much appreciated for the suggestion. I will definitely look into that.

Any insight on the industry you would like to share?

 

[bananananana]

What is it that you exactly want to do? Are you going more towards the technical/coding side or the functional business side of implementation teams?

Assuming the latter, do you really want to work long hours (10+ hrs/day), deal with hundreds of business req's, build functional specs, read through half illiterate tech specs written up by some Indian developer, get on calls late at night w/ those indian developers, do a bunch of testing on crap that doesn't work, and when you finally cutover with some ************* system, deal with a bunch of angry users for training and support?

 

[Unregistered]

Unrelated:

Got really excited when I thought you were talking about Event-Related Potential...

I'm a neuropsychology student...

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by bananananana

Assuming the latter, do you really want to work long hours (10+ hrs/day), deal with hundreds of business req's, build functional specs, read through half illiterate tech specs written up by some Indian developer, get on calls late at night w/ those indian developers, do a bunch of testing on crap that doesn't work, and when you finally cutover with some ************* system, deal with a bunch of angry users for training and support?

Definitely the latter and because of the common issues you've already mentioned, I see a tremendous potential for business development in this field to sell implementation or support services.

 

[bananananana]

Originally Posted by Fraiche

Definitely the latter and because of the common issues you've already mentioned, I see a tremendous potential for business development in this field to sell implementation or support services.

So you're going to provide better services than companies like Deloitte, Accenture, IBM, and Capgemini? And clients don't give a **** how late you work or how sketchy your developers are, only that you keep costs down and get the system working properly, so all those things I listed are not issues at all for a client.

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by bananananana

So you're going to provide better services than companies like Deloitte, Accenture, IBM, and Capgemini? And clients don't give a **** how late you work or how sketchy your developers are, only that you keep costs down and get the system working properly, so all those things I listed are not issues at all for a client.

Let's just say I am in one of those companies already and have the opportunity to be part of their engagements if I wish.

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by cross22

It is now pretty much either Oracle or SAP.

This is not at all true for smaller companies, is it? Are there not literally dozens of smaller companies making packages for companies in the $10-50MM range?

I'm curious to know what's out there, as I'm not directly responsible for this at my company but I am extremely dissatisfied with what we have.

 

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by Douglas

This is not at all true for smaller companies, is it? Are there not literally dozens of smaller companies making packages for companies in the $10-50MM range?

I'm curious to know what's out there, as I'm not directly responsible for this at my company but I am extremely dissatisfied with what we have.

90% of the time, it's not the product but the implementation of it. **** is just really damn complicated by itself and you need a deep understanding of business processes and accounting on top of the technical expertise to make it work efficiently.

You may have experts in each of the individual areas but very rarely in both the business side and technical side, which makes for some serious miscommunication in the requirements gathering phase.