WBSRocks: Business Growth with Enterprise Software and Digital Transformation

Send us a textVertical software was once considered a niche market within enterprise software, primarily served by VARs and ISVs with limited growth potential, while OEMs thrived on platform and ecosystem-focused business models. However, this landscape has shifted, especially with private equity firms adopting consolidation strategies during economic downturns, leading to a reevaluation of their go-to-market and marketing approaches and sometimes even overhauling their code bases entirely. This trend has affected even major proponents of platform strategies, like Salesforce, which has acquired vertical capabilities and introduced industry-specific packages. ServiceTitan stands out as one of the top vertical SaaS offerings listed on Forbes Cloud 100, potentially disrupting the ERP market dominated by companies such as Epicor and ECi. When considering Advantive, it can be challenging to determine who is disrupting whose market. But what exactly is ServiceTitan? Is it a field service application? An industry-specific CRM? A channel integration tool tailored for particular sectors, akin to ChannelAdvisor? Or is it a blend of all these functionalities? Could it even qualify as an ERP system?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of ServiceTitan’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where ServiceTitan might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand ServiceTitan's core strengths and weaknesses.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textUnlike make-to-stock enterprises, make-to-stock companies typically focus on consumer needs, requiring strong supply chain planning and possibly eCommerce functionalities. These companies operate across diverse sectors, including both discrete and process manufacturing approaches. Their product ranges may include everyday essentials like food and household items, as well as consumer electronics or vehicles. The materials used can vary significantly, ranging from plastics and chemicals to steel and organic components. As long as products are produced in advance and stored for future sale, they are considered part of the make-to-stock operations.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Make-to-Stock Manufacturing ERP Systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of Make-to-Stock Manufacturing ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Make-to-Stock Manufacturing ERP Systems.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a texteCommerce stack has evolved significantly with substantial overlap among different tools. Inventory is one layer that is shared by several systems, with each serving a very different perspective. When commerce refers to inventory, it only cares for counts and ignores other elements that might be relevant for other layers. However, not normalizing the front end of the inventory layer can lead to issues such as findability, impacting sales.In today's episode, our guest, Vikram Saxena, discusses the nuances of product taxonomy and enrichment for eCommerce merchants. He also debates several concepts with Sam like API-first and headless architecture, the role of inventory reconciliation from the lenses of commerce, different inventory layers and how they each serve different perspectives. Finally, he shares several stories where they have helped companies normalize their SKUs and taxonomy and the impact they had on those companies.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textWithin the expansive domain of manufacturing, make-to-order enterprises distinguish themselves with their specialized operations. Although they are often categorized alongside make-to-stock, engineer-to-order, and project manufacturing firms, make-to-order businesses operate in a unique manner. Unlike make-to-stock establishments, they fabricate products only after receiving orders, which demands tailored supply chain procedures. While they share similarities with engineer-to-order setups, make-to-order companies typically involve less customer engagement and handle less complex engineering tasks.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 Make-to-Order Manufacturing ERP Systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of Make-to-Order Manufacturing ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Make-to-Order Manufacturing ERP System.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textOnly a handful of companies possess a truly robust network capable of fueling demanding AI and ML algorithms. This network is crucial not only for optimizing the supply chain but also for facilitating platform adoption. If suppliers are hesitant to embrace the platform, it can disrupt joint planning and forecasting efforts, leading to misalignment throughout the supply chain. While numerous supplier collaboration platforms exist, managing international and multi-party supply chains presents unique challenges. International supply chains necessitate comprehensive supplier collaboration alongside the intricate management of international trade finance processes.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Infor Nexus’ capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Infor Nexus might be a a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Infor Nexus.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThey are distinct and require a specialized ERP strategy because of their unique product development, quality control, and production procedures. This varied sector includes manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, each requiring a customized ERP approach to match their individual business operations. Even within this market segment, diverse product categories such as Dairy and frozen food show notable differences in ERP suitability. Examining transactions and their connections with cross-functional data sets is vital for understanding these distinctions.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 Food & Beverage ERP Systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of Food & Beverage ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Food & Beverage ERP System.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textFP&A space has come a long way. While companies might struggle to understand the difference between an ERP and an FP&A tool, even FP&A tools differ substantially. And not all tools are likely to have the same capabilities. Some tools are designed for larger volumes of data, while others might not be as connected underneath, causing communication and integration issues. As a customer, you are likely to understand these issues only after you have signed the contract and started using them.In today's episode, our guest, Alexander Ladd, discusses the evolution and future roadmap of FP&A technologies. He also compares several FP&A technologies in the market and their architectural differences. Finally, he shares several stories, concepts, and best practices related to FP&A and how companies can be successful with these best practices.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textCharacteristically lacking inventory-focused operations, ERP systems designed for service-oriented industries require unique features and architecture. Unlike product-focused sectors, which heavily utilize inventory costing layers and MRP strategies, service-oriented industries showcase even greater operational variety. In certain instances, ERP functions might be limited to managing corporate financial ledgers, with operational tasks handled by custom software solutions. This diverse industry segment encompasses non-profit organizations and the public sector and extends to construction, real estate, mining, utilities, energy, consulting, and financial services, among others.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 ERP systems for service-centric industries in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of service-centric ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each service-centric ERP systems.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textWhile Anaplan may have coined the term "Connected Planning," many businesses still grapple with identifying the appropriate interconnected elements. Supply Chain suites opt for a unique strategy, integrating planning with network and retail-focused execution components like WMS, TMS, and OMS. ERP suites, conversely, take a different route, encompassing FP&A alongside S&OP capabilities. Despite dedicated planning platforms addressing specific planning functions, they often lack comprehensive coverage of essential aspects, leading to data silos that hinder end-to-end planning traceability unless all planning data resides in a single system. Thus, the question arises: Where do Anaplan's capabilities stand, and how do they measure up against other planning suites?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Anaplan’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Anaplan might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand Anaplan's core strengths and weaknesses.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textIn contrast to service-oriented industries, product-focused sectors prioritize inventory management over human resources and employee satisfaction. This difference calls for specialized ERP systems tailored to their needs. Manufacturers, distributors, and all players in the production cycle prioritize their products as the key distinguishing factor. Service-oriented firms that offer consultancy to these product-centric entities represent the minority in this scenario.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 ERP systems for product-centric industries in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of product-centric ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each product-centric ERP systems.For more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.