WBSRocks: Business Growth with Enterprise Software and Digital Transformation

Send us a textERP implementation is easy. Anyone can do it. But, ironically, anyone can fail it as well. So how can ERP implementation be so easy and difficult at the same time? There are several reasons. But the core reason is how ERP systems are selected and implemented. Most companies follow a checklist approach. And this approach often results into hit or miss scenarios because creating a generalized checklist approach for ERP implementation is nearly impossible, especially for the processes that might be happening outside of the ERP system.In today's episode our guest, Peter Joeckel, who shares his insights into the concept of shadow ERP and how that drives ERP implementation failure. He also discussed how measuring and understanding the shadow ERP processes can result in better outcomes for your ERP implementation. Finally, he shares his insights into the importance of data plumbing and the challenges associated with having multiple software systems in the architecture.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 textHow hard could it be to manage the vendor side of processes? Well, sometimes, it could be more complex than your customer side of processes, especially for B2C businesses. Also, it might vary based on your industry, product type, and supply chain. You might need to make arrangements such as prepayment. The R&D side of processes could be completely different from operational processes. You might want to have complex arrangements such as pre-printed shipping labels or packaging arrangements. They all could have implications on your AP processes. Also, each industry may have its own requirements on how AP is supposed to be done. On top of it, each ERP system is likely to treat the AP processes differently. So what are the best practices for streamlining AP function?In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for a live interview on LinkedIn who brings significant expertise to discuss Account Payable best practices. We discussed the scope and systems involved with the accounts payable and P2P processes. Finally, we discussed the architectural challenges and the changing role of ERP because of the introduction of the new 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 textThe B2B companies have needs for eCommerce functionality such as catalog management, saving of carts, and complex product variants. But do catalog management needs vary even among B2B companies? While there are solutions that can promise catalog management, there are very few solutions that have gone as far as decoupling these three completely. This is where Elastic Path lives to its name in providing true elasticity to headless experiences. But how does it compare with other headless platforms such as commercetools and Spryker?In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for a live interview on LinkedIn who brings significant expertise to discuss Elastic Path capabilities. We discussed its unique product and data model that allows it to create a fluid catalog and pricing bundles for enterprises with complex channels and product offerings. Finally, we discussed the pros and cons of their architecture and compared it with other eCommerce platforms 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 textThe number of installations for an ERP is a metric that is often used as a purchase criterion.  But it can often be misleading. Misinterpreted. Misunderstood. Also, the product sold to small-to-medium-sized businesses is likely to have a higher number of installs because of the larger customer base. How about different geographies? Is that also a factor? Yes, the products sold in developing countries are also likely to have a higher number of customers due to the market being fragmented. One such product is Tally, which is considered Oxyzen for the SMB markets in India and the middle east. It used to be accounting software. But later promoted as an ERP solution. So does it really have ERP capabilities? Like the real ones? Or are they simply trying to pretend like an ERP? Also, what are the major factors for its popularity? Loyalty? Cost? Users not willing to change? Lack of options?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Tally's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including the unique processes of several international markets including India, the Middle East, South Africa, Germany, Canada, Mexico, and the US. Finally, we discussed several unique concepts of the Indian market such as tax deducted at source, tax collected at sources, and GST computation for India.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 text70% of the ERP implementation time is spent on testing the functionality. In fact, some people might argue that most of them manual data entry with ERP can be automated. But it’s easier said than done. Because of the rigidness of the ERP data, even manual testing could be extremely challenging. Also, the testers who might not have as much background might not understand why it’s so hard to design test cases for ERP systems. With ERPs, you not only need to know how to write good test cases, you also need to know the ERP functionality deeply.In today's episode our guest, Thomas Clyma, who shares his insights into the automated testing for ERP. He also shares his insights into the differences between the testing strategies in the pre-implementation phase as well as post-implementation. Finally, we discussed why automated testing for ERP is uniquely challenging than other technical systems and why it is hard for software testers to learn how to test 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 textAccount receivable functions should be as easy as sending a bunch of invoices, making a few phone calls, and collecting cash. It must be the easiest job in the world, right? Well, once you get into the nuances of billing, you will quickly realize that it can get very complex with different payment arrangements, payment schedules, and partial payment options. Each industry may have its own requirements on how AR is supposed to be done. Each ERP system is likely to treat the AR processes differently. So what are the best practices for streamlining AR function?In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for a live interview on LinkedIn who brings significant expertise to discuss Account Receivable best practices. We discussed the process boundaries along with different processes that need to be supported by the AR function for different industries. Finally, they shared several stories related to the AR processes and lessons learned from them.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 textShopify is the name that is now synonymous with eCommerce. Shopify is so easy that you can get up and running within hours and start selling. You also probably don't need the coding background to start selling on Shopify. Then you have thousands of apps that are pre-integrated. But as you add more apps, the cost increases. Also, you might be limited with your options unless you use Shopify Plus, which is relatively expensive. So would Shopify be the right fit for any businesses? Or are there businesses that might not be a fit for Shopify?In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for a live interview on LinkedIn who brings significant expertise to discuss Shopify capabilities. We discussed their journey and the overarching corporate strategy to understand their product roadmap. Finally, we discussed their different tiers and how to evaluate Shopify as a platform for your next eCommerce project.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 textMost people underestimate the role of products or services in defining your processes' structure. This is also probably the reason why most industries would have comparable operations. And as a result, they would be using a similar ERP system. For example, the needs of FMCG distributors are likely to be different from industrial distributors. While most distributors might have similar processes, their processes might vary based on the industry served. This is also perhaps the reason why selecting an ERP system is so hard. So, where does Macola fit based on its data model and product architecture?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of ECi Macola's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including its unique capabilities and where it’s likely to be the strongest fit. Finally, we discussed how ECi is trying to rearchitect to align it with other products in its portfolio and why its design has always been biased towards FMCG distributors.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 textCOVID has taught us that Supply Chain issues can shake the whole economy. And everyone is attacking Supply Chain issues from their perspective. And sometimes it’s very hard to understand how these solutions will collectively solve the overarching issues within Supply Chain. One of the most critical perspectives that are often missed when we talk about production scheduling is of the buyer who is responsible for procuring materials and ensuring that the shop floor has the materials timely. But managing the procurement process while optimizing the inventory is easier said than done.In today's episode, our guest, Richard Lebovitz, who shares his insights into procurement prioritization and its impact on scheduling and inventory. He also compares and contrasts various systems such as S&OP, IBP, P2P, and vendor collaboration software and where procurement-focused systems such as LeanDNA fit in the architecture. Finally, he discusses how the underlying data and business and the configuration of the business and information model may have an impact on your procurement and production processes.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 textIf you cut any materials on your shop floor, you might have nesting software to reduce waste. But the admin efforts increased by a standalone nesting software might eliminate the benefits of reducing waste. Also, if you have multiple software on your shop floors, such as MES, QMS, EAM, nesting, SPC, etc., it might be harder to create the roles and responsibilities of different systems with a clear source of authority. This is especially harder due to the amount of back and forth churn involved for each job order with these integration flows. So what are the best practices for incorporating nesting processes and software into your shop floor?In today's episode, we invited a panel of cross-functional experts for a live interview on LinkedIn who brings significant expertise to discuss Nesting best practices. We discussed what the nesting process is and which industries are likely to use it as part of their production process. Finally, we discussed the pros and cons of integration architecture around the nesting process and the place for nesting software in the integration architecture.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.