

WBSRocks: Business Growth with Enterprise Software and Digital Transformation
Sam Gupta
WBSRocks podcast features in-depth conversations on customer experience, digital transformation, supply chain, eCommerce, industry 4.0, and enterprise software categories such as CRM, ERP, or analytics suites. The purpose of the show is to help CFOs, COOs, CEOs, and business owners with their daily commercial, operational, or financial challenges by taking a deep dive into business cases and processes, technology strategy and architecture, transformation initiatives, and business models. The show also offers an independent analysis of technology trends, various enterprise software vendors and solutions, and their mergers and acquisitions. Subscribe today to stay on top of digital transformation trends!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 20, 2024 • 23min
WBSP588: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 Medical Device ERP in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textThe medical device industry's unique challenges demand specialized ERP solutions, spanning consumable items and large CapEx equipment segments. Processes and regulations vary based on diagnostic or surgical use, complicating the ERP landscape. The sector faces increased scrutiny, making systems supporting comprehensive reporting imperative to minimize administrative overhead. Key features include electronic signatures, device history records, and validation requirements specific to medical device companies. CRM processes encounter complexities due to diverse market timelines. This overview sets the stage for a deeper exploration of ERP systems tailored to the intricate needs of the medical device industry.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 medical device ERP systems in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of medical device 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.

May 14, 2024 • 22min
WBSP587: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 Aerospace and Defense ERP in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textThe aerospace and defense industries grapple with unique challenges, including stringent quality and regulatory requirements, extended sales cycles, and uncertainties in supply chain planning. Tailored solutions are essential due to significant variations in manufacturing processes based on business models. Selecting an ERP system for the A&D industry requires a comprehensive understanding of business models and transactions, as generic solutions may demand significant investments and longer implementation cycles, potentially exceeding the scope of many Small and Medium-sized Businesses. In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 aerospace and defense ERP systems in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of aerospace and defense 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.

May 13, 2024 • 24min
WBSP586: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 Automotive ERP in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textSelecting an ERP system for the automotive industry involves unique challenges due to its consumer-centric nature, leading to intricate and unpredictable processes. Consumer behaviors impact the entire automotive value chain, necessitating continuous innovation and modifications to products. This dynamic environment underscores the importance of collaboration and joint planning, influencing compliance and global trade processes. Understanding critical success factors is crucial, as choosing an ERP system not tailored to the industry may result in overengineering and adoption challenges. In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 automotive ERPs in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of automotive 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.

May 7, 2024 • 25min
WBSP585: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 Large Company ERP in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textFor large companies, the ERP system selection process extends beyond functional specifications, focusing on handling immense transactional capacity and cross-functional process throughput. Software-enabled process evaluation mirrors resource planning, emphasizing meticulous capacity planning for smooth operations. The pivotal decision in cross-functional process throughput involves choosing between isolated and tightly integrated processes, considering factors like human resources interactions and reconciliation overhead. Varied implementation strategies emerge, with some favoring tightly integrated methods while others opt for slightly more best-of-breed approaches. Large enterprises face challenges such as evolving desired states and extended implementation horizons, treating ERP as the corporate financial ledger while allowing subsidiaries flexibility. Navigating these complexities prompts the question: which systems prove optimal, irrespective of architecture?In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 large company ERP in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of large enterprises 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.

9 snips
May 6, 2024 • 43min
WBSP584: Grow Your Business by Learning the State of Data of Industrial Systems w/ Mike Bowers
Mike Bowers, industrial data expert, discusses the state of industrial data today. Topics include evolution of technologies like JSON and SQL, importance of data collection from edge devices, and adoption of newer methods for real business value in manufacturing systems.

Apr 30, 2024 • 30min
WBSP583: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 ERP Systems for Mid-sized Businesses in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textSurpassing the $100 million revenue mark presents a significant challenge, where reliance on ad-hoc planning and siloed processes can lead to financial performance issues. Companies aiming to move beyond this stage require robust process integration and global financial and operational synergies. In the mid-market, tailored system solutions become crucial, with notable diversity, especially among upper mid-market companies nearing $1 billion in revenue. Ideal systems for mid-market businesses, whether upper or lower end, must balance advanced capabilities, scalability, and alignment with specific growth trajectory needs and constraints.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 ERP systems for mid-sized businesses in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of mid-sized businesses 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.

Apr 29, 2024 • 26min
WBSP582: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 ERP Systems for Small Businesses in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textAs businesses progress beyond the startup phase, ERP adoption becomes integral, yet disjointed solutions persist, even within an ERP-inclusive architecture, often centered on financial reporting and basic transactions. Streamlining ad-hoc processes and unique data models from the earlier stage is essential to avoid financial challenges at the next inflection point, especially with the expansion of departments leading to overlapping responsibilities. The importance of batch capabilities becomes apparent, addressing increased workload from reconciling disconnected data silos and managing ad-hoc processes, prompting a closer look at process re-engineering and tightly integrated processes, particularly in inventory management. The tactical perspective of executives, guided by current priorities and immediate needs, raises the question of which ERP systems best suit smaller businesses at this transitional stage.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 ERP systems for small businesses in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of small businesses 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.

Apr 23, 2024 • 59min
WBSP581: Grow Your Business by Understanding Unit4's Capabilities, an Objective Panel Discussion
Send us a textWhat exactly is an ERP? It's essentially a bundled suite of various offerings. However, simply combining various offerings doesn't automatically qualify a collection of software as an ERP. The determining factor is the level of embeddedness that categorizes software as an ERP. Moreover, the components included within an ERP may vary depending on the industry. While finance and accounting typically form the core requirements for an ERP, the approaches differ—some integrate HCM and FP&A, while others incorporate PLM, WMS, and TMS. So, where does Unit4 stand in terms of capabilities, and how does it stack up against other ERP systems?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Unit4’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including their unique suite approach because of their combination of ERP, HCM, S2P, and FP&A. We also discussed the differences between service-centric and product-centric ERP and how they each differ in their process and cross-functional integration.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.

Apr 22, 2024 • 30min
WBSP580: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 ERP Systems for Startups in 2024 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textIn the dynamic journey of startup growth, the shift from smaller accounting systems becomes pivotal as initial revenue milestones are surpassed. As startups navigate these challenges, the manageable impact on the bottom line highlights the unique characteristics of systems tailored to the financial constraints and operational realities of this critical growth phase, making the quest to identify systems for this transitional period an essential consideration.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 ERP systems for startups in 2024. He also discusses the crucial needs of startups and how to identify the systems designed for startups. 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.

10 snips
Apr 16, 2024 • 36min
WBSP579: Grow Your Business by Learning How Autonomous AI Differs from Predictive and Generative AI w/ Bryan DeBois
AI expert Bryan DeBois discusses how Autonomous AI differs from Predictive and Generative AI, its potential in industrial applications, challenges faced by manufacturers, and the importance of connecting equipment to the Internet for growth strategies.