Send us Fan Mail What are the roles and responsibilities of the Director/VP of IT? Also, the role has changed substantially with cloud technologies. Additionally, each industry may have different expectations from the Director/VP of IT role. So are IT directors/VPs responsible for managing the helpdesk or infrastructure? Or would their responsibility be primarily to manage business systems? So which are the KPIs they need to measure to manage their function? In today's episode, we invited a pane...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 528
Send us Fan Mail Navigating the ERP industry can be challenging. While numerous companies offer ERP-related services, not all are independent ERP consultants dedicated solely to unbiased advisory and guidance. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 types of companies that might provide some level of ERP-related assistance but are not independent ERP consultants. He also discusses that while they all have great strengths in their respective areas, they are not necessarily fit fo...
Oct 10, 2023•20 min•Ep. 527
Send us Fan Mail Forecasts are often wrong. But not planning in the fear of forecasts being wrong is like operating in the dark. Some companies are likely to be slightly more mature in planning, while others might not be as sophisticated. The same thing goes for the industries as well. Planning is must-have in certain industries but not so much in other industries. Regardless of how much time and money you invest in planning, not planning is not smart. In today's episode, our guest, Lee Bartlett...
Oct 09, 2023•37 min•Ep. 526
Send us Fan Mail Maintaining data integrity post ERP implementation is crucial for the sustainability of an ERP implementation. Most companies end up corrupting their data right after implementation as soon as they release it to users due to the lack of governance processes. Some issues might be so severe that they are irreparable. The issues are of special significance in the world of cloud as now companies don’t have access to databases, and because of this, they don’t have the same level of c...
Oct 03, 2023•16 min•Ep. 525
Send us Fan Mail What do you have in common in the retail and healthcare market? You would think nothing. Believe it or not, it's Workday and Tecsys. In fact, they both are installed together and tightly collaborate. In a world with plenty of Supply Chain solutions out there, Tecsys is unique. It not only has the software components such as WMS, TMS, OMS, etc., but it also has several hardware solutions integrated with it. So where does Tecsys fit in its capabilities? And how does it compare wit...
Oct 02, 2023•57 min•Ep. 524
Send us Fan Mail Data re-engineering plays a crucial role in successful ERP implementation. If not handled well, they can lead to implementation failure regardless of how good the technology or the new system may be. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP data re-engineering candidates that demand careful consideration during your implementation journey. He also discusses why if you don’t re-engineer these datasets, they might drive even more complications with the new syst...
Sep 26, 2023•19 min•Ep. 523
Send us Fan Mail Even the coolest DTC brands are struggling now as investors look for accountability and profitability. The cost of shipping and products has added substantial pressure for DTC brands to rethink their operations. Also, consumers' demands are harder to manage with their expectations of one or two days delivery. So what can DTC brands do to stay competitive in this market? In today's episode, our guest, Manish Chowdhary, discusses why only acquiring customers is not enough to run s...
Sep 25, 2023•33 min•Ep. 522
Send us Fan Mail Choosing an ERP solution that delivers business results is challenging. The foundation of this momentous undertaking lies in a well-crafted Request for Proposal (RFP). Whether you plan to write a formal RFP or not, understanding its components can help you hit on the points that are make or break for your ERP selection and implementation. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 critical components that must take center stage in your ERP Selection RFP. He also di...
Sep 19, 2023•14 min•Ep. 521
Send us Fan Mail There is a clear divide in the TMS market. Some TMS systems are provided by technology companies, while others are marketplaces that combine their managed services. The marketplaces also compete as a carrier on their own platform. The question is: how much would you trust their data when they have a clear conflict of interest with their rating engine? This is very similar to carriers such as UPS or FedEx providing their software and integrating with every other vendor in the mar...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 520
Send us Fan Mail When contemplating an ERP project, one of the primary obstacles you'll face is establishing a structured process for selecting the right ERP solution. It is crucial to have a well-defined roadmap that can guide you through the decision-making journey. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 steps of the ERP selection process in 2023. He also explores the individual steps that constitute an effective ERP selection process. Finally, he shares valuable insights on ...
Sep 12, 2023•25 min•Ep. 519
Send us Fan Mail If you're considering embarking on an ERP project, one of the critical choices you'll have to make is whether to incorporate a comprehensive selection process. It's natural to have some uncertainties about the benefits you can expect from this process. However, grasping the essential deliverables is vital to guarantee the success of your ERP implementation. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP selection deliverables in 2023. He also explores the crucial d...
Sep 11, 2023•27 min•Ep. 518
Send us Fan Mail In discussions about ERPs, it is common for individuals to criticize the technical vendors or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and argue that their biases stem from financial arrangements or compensation. While these monetary factors can undeniably influence biases, it is important to acknowledge that biases in ERP selection can arise from various sources, each posing equal dangers. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the Top 10 ERP Selection Biases. He also tho...
Sep 05, 2023•17 min•Ep. 517
Send us Fan Mail The startup, consumer, and enterprise markets are like different planets in the business galaxy. Disrupting the consumer market doesn't guarantee enterprise success. It's like rocking the party but struggling with a corporate ball. Also, the convergence of the consulting and enterprise market is not new, whether consulting companies bundle products as part of their portfolio or product companies offer consulting as part of their bundle. Transplace was one of the most cloud-nativ...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 516
Send us Fan Mail There are several techniques for conversion rate optimization. But unless you test, it’s hard to know what may perform. Also, the conversion techniques could have nuances based on the platform. What may work on Shopify may not work on BigCommerce. So which are the conversion rate techniques that are most effective on the Shopify platform? In today's episode, our guest, Eric Even Haim, discusses conversion rate optimization stories and techniques. He also discusses the difference...
Aug 28, 2023•34 min•Ep. 515
Send us Fan Mail Running warehouse operations for an enterprise isn't easy. Most people talk about the complexity of SAP. But when you are heavy lifting at that level, you need firepower besides layers of data objects. You get traceability because of these objects. But that also makes implementation extremely challenging. Also, when you are over $1B in revenue with warehouse and retail operations, you need to figure out how you would decouple your architecture. If you have an embedded WMS with a...
Aug 21, 2023•58 min•Ep. 514
Send us Fan Mail You get bad results faster by automating broken processes. And warehouse is a classic example where thinking through your physical processes and aligning the physical and digital layout is important. But most digital consultants, not experts in products or retail operations, miss the intel that is critical for safety and warehouse efficiency. They might put a product at a location where it might not be safe for warehouse workers or might feel like a cart before a horse. And that...
Aug 14, 2023•42 min•Ep. 513
Send us Fan Mail The problem with software applications and concepts is that what TMS means to you may be very different from what TMS means to me. Each TMS solution is designed from the perspective of a very specific business model, transactions, and micro-industries. Even among the same TMS vendor, there might be several TMS applications that they might carry targeted for very specific use cases. Also, a TMS designed for international operations is very different from local truckload-centric o...
Aug 07, 2023•55 min•Ep. 512
Send us Fan Mail The tech stack of eCommerce has grown so much that you require several middlewares, with the middle being different for each of them. Also, the middle keep shifting as time advances, and as a result, the architecture changes accordingly. Guided selling has been one area in which it is hard to pinpoint where it would fit in the architecture, although it plays a crucial role in providing tailored experiences for users who might not know what they are looking for. Also, let’s admit...
Jul 31, 2023•43 min•Ep. 511
Send us Fan Mail Where do you draw the line whether the enterprise software companies are the information processing, communication, or industry data repository platform? Also, is the role of TMS to provide you with the best rates, manage the external supply chain, act as a control tower, or full-blown ERP for freight forwarders? Well, the reason why these platforms look so confusing is that what's TMS for a manufacturer could be very different from a TMS for a freight forwarder. So where does D...
Jul 24, 2023•49 min•Ep. 510
Send us Fan Mail Architecture is a bureaucratic term. At least, that’s what business users might feel, as it comes across as more of an IT boilerplate. And business users are not off as most technical and IT professionals end up using too much IT and technical boilerplate with architecture that it might not make any sense to the business users. However, having good architecture is like having a plan for your journey. No plan means a lot of wandering around and taking too much time to get to a de...
Jul 17, 2023•47 min•Ep. 509
Send us Fan Mail WMS and supply chain systems come in various shapes and sizes. And there are very few systems in the market that could catch up with the speed of the cloud ERP vendors. While NetSuite and Acumatica both had native capabilities for WMS, they both relied on High Jump for advanced WMS capabilities. While High Jump succeeded in being a default choice for a WMS solution, the game has been completely changed since its acquisition by Korber. And now Korber can provide similar capabilit...
Jul 11, 2023•57 min•Ep. 508
Send us Fan Mail There are two types of chaos. You have a manageable chaos that can be planned easily. And then you have organized chaos that requires you to shift gears all the time as the planning variables change. If there is one function that can challenge any planning model, it would be logistics. There are so many variables, such as labor, traffic, third-party carriers, geopolitical conditions, and macroeconomic factors. As a logistics executive, you not only need to make sure that you hav...
Jul 10, 2023•46 min•Ep. 507
Send us Fan Mail The picking function is all about KPIs. The larger the facility, the more fine-tuned your picking process needs to be. More errors during picking mean inferior customer experience and slower operations. Picking proceses might also vary based on the product type and industry. The manufacturing may have different picking processes from retail or distribution. So which are the KPIs most relevant for picking operations and pickers? In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-fun...
Jul 05, 2023•56 min•Ep. 506
Send us Fan Mail The warehouse has been the receiver of most automation technologies. Now so much hardware is available that you can automate your entire warehouse, including picking, packing, sorting, loading, or unloading. There are also various categories of software available, ranging from WMS, TMS, WCS, S&OP, and a lot more. The software is segmented depending on the complexity of warehouse operations. So where does Logiwa stand in its capabilities, and how does it compare with the othe...
Jul 04, 2023•57 min•Ep. 505
Send us Fan Mail Most people underestimate the importance of country-specific expertise when it comes to ERP systems. For them, what difference could it make as it’s just pure tech? France and Europe are especially unique when it comes to their localization requirements. But the culture plays a huge role as well. So what can companies do if they want to penetrate the French market? And why is culture such as huge issue when it comes to ERP implementation? In today's episode, our guest, Wassim Sa...
Jul 03, 2023•45 min•Ep. 504
Send us Fan Mail The warehouse should be renamed as the KPIhouse. That's where most KPIs live. Most warehouse operators have very slim margins, and they not only need to be efficient with the transactions to reduce the costs. But they also need to ensure timely delivery to maintain the customer experience metrics. So which are the KPIs warehouse managers should care for the most? In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for live interview on LinkedIn who brings signific...
Jun 28, 2023•59 min•Ep. 503
Send us Fan Mail Where do you draw the line with supply chain software? There are various flavors. Some are more transactional processing systems, while others excel at planning. Some integrate several layers, including TMS, WMS, OMS, and planning. While planning is super critical, integrating transactional systems is always harder than most people would think. One of the most critical components of the supply chain software would always be the POS layer, especially for retail organizations, whi...
Jun 27, 2023•59 min•Ep. 502
Send us Fan Mail Each industry has its own nuances. The chemicals industry is particularly very challenging because of its supply chain issues. The black swan events, such as winter storms or macroeconomic changes, can shake any model, regardless of how sophisticated it might be. But the more information you have about your operations, regardless of whether internal or external supply chain, the more prepared you are likely to be for such events. And even if you are not prepared, the data will h...
Jun 26, 2023•45 min•Ep. 501
Send us Fan Mail The innovation projects could be perceived as risky. It might also be harder for operational and financial executives to assess the ROI of such initiatives. But done right, companies can not only improve the customer experience while converting them into digitally native culture, they could also increase the enterprise value of such companies by 2x. In today's episode, our guest, Chris Stegner, discusses how to transform a company into a digital. He also discusses cultural issue...
Jun 19, 2023•46 min•Ep. 500
Send us Fan Mail The inventory manager's role is very interesting. Sometimes it might be clubbed with an operations manager. Other times it might be the responsibility of an S&OP or materials manager. But without a solid inventory manager, your customer experience is likely to be fragmented. Or they would be overstocking to eat up all your margins and cash. So what are the KPIs relevant for an inventory manager? In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for live inte...
Jun 14, 2023•56 min•Ep. 499
