WBSRocks: Business Growth with Enterprise Software and Digital Transformation

Send us a textData is everywhere, but to be able to effectively use it, you need to understand their sources, limitations, and how you might be able to fill up gaps in your internal data with externally available datasets. The lifeblood of retail business runs on finding the right sites. But doing that is not easy because of the unavailability of the right datasets to understand consumer behavior. So, how do we identify the right datasets for retail planning?In today's episode, our guest, Thomas Walle, discusses retail datasets and how they can be used for retail operational planning. He also describes the sources of different datasets and their limitations. Finally, he touches on different use cases and where retailers are getting the most value from the datasets currently available in the market.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 textOrganizations engage in a multitude of projects, each with its own unique attributes—whether they are internal or external, short or long-term, billable or cost-centric. These projects also differ across industries, with specific scheduling and reporting requirements. Construction projects, for instance, exhibit significant differences from software development initiatives. While both fall within the realm of project management, they demand distinct processes and specialized capabilities from project management software. Effectively navigating this complexity requires thoughtful consideration and strategic planning.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 project management systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of project management systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each project management 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 textERPs have historically overlooked the requirements of IT teams. However, it's important to acknowledge that industries heavily reliant on ERPs may possess smaller IT teams. On the contrary, in other sectors, particularly those without extensive inventories, IT teams could essentially constitute the entire operations team.Just as IT industries have faced neglect, other crucial teams like security or legal ops have also been overlooked. Furthermore, the needs of field services and asset management may significantly differ for organizations focused on IT, as seen in sectors such as telecom, media, data center, or printing. So, where does ServiceNow fit in, and how does it distinguish itself from other competing technologies?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of ServiceNow’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where ServiceNow 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 ServiceNow.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 textNon-profit entities encounter unique ERP challenges that set them apart from inventory-focused businesses. Their varied structures, encompassing intricate elements like membership categories, grants, and complex workflows, differ widely across sectors. For example, educational and healthcare non-profits may require distinct processes compared to city governments. Associations and membership communities also exhibit disparities when compared to foundations and elderly care organizations.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 non-profit ERP systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of non-profit ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each non-profit 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 textConsulting companies generated trillions of dollars by orchestrating the movement of data and crafting ETL codes. This was essential to safeguard the operational systems from the potential impact of analytical workloads on performance. Operational systems handled transactional heavy lifting, while analytical workloads focused on study and decision science. Snowflake revolutionized this landscape by introducing technology that eliminated the need to copy data for analytical purposes. This not only resulted in instant cost savings but also empowered companies to explore real-time analytical workloads. Despite Snowflake being a top-tier technology, organizations sometimes employ it for unintended purposes, either perceiving it as unnecessarily expensive or not achieving the desired business outcomes. To understand Snowflake's place in the architecture and how it compares with other enterprise software technologies, one must delve into its positioning and evaluate its performance in relation to alternative solutions.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Snowflake’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Snowflake might be 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 Snowflake.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 textCloud ERP systems vary widely, ranging from those concealing outdated backends as cloud-based solutions to more extreme cases that utilize on-premises code bases in data centers, merely claiming a 'web link' qualifies as the cloud. To unravel this complexity, it's essential to comprehend the diverse layers and factors that constitute the cloud, considering both technical and financial aspects. In simpler terms, envision it as leasing versus owning. Yet, akin to leasing, various cloud business models exist, each differing in the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 cloud ERP systems in 2024. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of cloud ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each cloud 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 textMom-and-pop businesses have a mindset that if they are able to manage the books, then they are good. But to build a scalable business, you need to implement the FP&A process sooner rather than later. The FP&A process can help with the forward-looking statements and planning the cash flow. It might also help identify the red flags from the perspective of an investor, whether you want to raise capital, acquire a leveraged company, or sell the company.In today's episode, our guest, Chris Reilly, discusses how to start the FP&A process. He also describes other concepts, such as why businesses need to be on three-statement models before they can start on their FP&A journey. Finally, he discusses several other concepts, such as Leveraged buyouts, the importance of seller discretionary income, and the red flags that investors look for in an FP&A model.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 2023 proved challenging for retailers, the positive aspect is that it didn't turn out as bleak as anticipated. The forecast for 2024 is still unclear, but there is optimism for a recovery. With restored economic confidence, retailers are ready to channel accumulated funds into postponed digital transformation trends in the retail sector. Artificial intelligence is expected to play a crucial role in shaping numerous digital transformation trends in retail during 2024.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 15 retail digital transformation trends in 2024. He also discusses how AI and macroeconomic conditions are likely to shape the major trends for 2024. Finally, he discusses how executives can take advantage of these trends to plan their digital transformation initiatives.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 textThe assertion of a data platform serving as an ERP is not new. Many companies grapple with discerning the disparity between the two. The distinction is further muddled as data platforms become software-defined, emulating ERP functions. While data platforms traditionally reside in the architecture atop the transactional layer, their role should be confined to study, analysis, simulations, and providing recommendations. They are by no means a substitute for operational systems. So, how does Palantir measure up against other solutions in the market?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Palantir’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including their overlap with other platforms such as ERP, supply chain suites, data integration, and ETL platforms. We also analyzed their current positioning and why they are essentially a custom development platforms for the decision science layer despite their claims of being a replacement for ERP and other transactional software.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 textSpecialized ERP systems tailored for the pharmaceutical industry surpass generic alternatives, ensuring shorter implementation times and increased success rates. Relying on ad-hoc arrangements can lead to unforeseen challenges, making pre-baked capabilities within the system's data model crucial for preventing issues with version upgrades. Evaluating ERP systems for pharmaceutical needs requires not just technical expertise but a deeper understanding of compliance, including NDC codes, managing both serial and lot numbers, and addressing inventory based on expiring lots. In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 pharma ERP systems in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of pharma companies and how to identify the systems designed for them. Finally, he describes the pros and cons of each solution and where each of them might be a fit.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.