Wiley Jones, co-founder and CEO of Doss, shares his insights on the world of ERP systems, born from his experiences on factory floors in China. He discusses the limitations of traditional ERPs and the unique value Doss offers as an alternative. The conversation touches on innovative approaches to integrating operational data and customer needs, the importance of generative AI in enhancing business software, and the journey behind creating the Anti-ERP ERP Club. Wiley’s philosophy emphasizes growth and agility, reflecting the inspiration behind Doss's name.
Wiley Jones highlights that conventional ERPs often fail to meet real-world operational needs, leading to the creation of Doss as a flexible alternative.
The 'anti-ERP' movement emerges from dissatisfaction with traditional systems, emphasizing the demand for more intuitive and user-friendly operational tools.
Doss employs a hands-on, collaborative approach for implementation, allowing businesses to tailor solutions around their specific workflows and data needs.
Deep dives
Challenges of B2B Application Development
Building specialized B2B applications risks leading companies into a corner as they may excel in addressing a specific problem only to face challenges when customers outgrow their solutions. Many businesses initially adopt a focused system but shift to larger platforms like NetSuite when they require more comprehensive functionality. The podcast discusses how such transitions can often result in companies needing to abandon smaller, specialized systems due to limited scalability. This highlights the importance of designing B2B solutions with growth in mind to avoid losing customers to more expansive platforms.
Rethinking ERP with DOS
The discussion centers around DOS, which seeks to redefine the concept of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) by taking a more nuanced approach to operational software. The company aims to be a comprehensive solution that integrates various operational processes, from procurement to point of sale, all while emphasizing data handling capabilities akin to large analytics platforms. By addressing the flaws of traditional ERPs, DOS positions itself as a flexible alternative that allows businesses to manage their data and operations seamlessly without the burdens of conventional systems. This fresh perspective resonates with companies that feel constrained by existing comprehensive ERP solutions.
The Anti-ERP Movement
The podcast introduces the concept of the 'anti-ERP' movement, where users criticize traditional ERPs as cumbersome and overly complicated. The community developed around this sentiment has grown, reflecting a shared desire for simpler, more intuitive operational tools. Creating an environment for professionals to connect over their frustrations with conventional systems highlights the need for change in the industry. This movement illustrates a broader trend of operators seeking more user-friendly solutions that prioritize agility and real business needs rather than cumbersome implementations.
Evolving Operational Workflows
A significant point discussed is how DOS focuses on evolving operational workflows through a hands-on implementation process tailored to individual business needs. Rather than forcing clients into a rigid structure, DOS encourages businesses to share all existing data to co-create a model that accurately reflects their operations. This collaborative approach allows for an incremental rollout of functionalities, enabling companies to adapt gradually. By staging the product introduction, businesses can transition smoothly without the overwhelming pressure usually associated with large-scale software changes.
Future of Business Process Management
The conversation also speculates on the future of business process management, suggesting a shift towards a more modular software landscape where companies can customize their operational tools with ease. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, it is expected that users will increasingly interact with software through natural language and prompt-driven interfaces. This evolution points towards a model where operational systems become more intuitive and user-friendly, allowing even non-technical staff to manage complex processes seamlessly. As businesses grow, the focus will be on integrating these capabilities into a cohesive system, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and comprehensive solutions.
In this episode of Blue Ocean, we sit down with Wiley Jones, co-founder and CEO of Doss.
Wiley grew up as the son of an industrial engineer, and followed in his footsteps. It was on the factory floors in China that he realized — the ERPs depicted in the fancy ads in the airports don't really exist.
In this episode, we dive into how that realization became Doss, "the ERP that was promised":
Why Wiley and his team think they can do something different from every other ERP and ERP alternative out there
How to market an ERP that isn't an ERP
The intriguing story behind Doss' name
The inspiration behind the Anti-ERP ERP Club
Wiley's unique philosophy about building complex data products
The role of AI in the future of business software and supply chain management
