
WBSRocks: Business Growth with Enterprise Software and Digital Transformation
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!
Latest episodes

Mar 10, 2025 • 26min
WBSP690: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 ERP Systems for Small Business in 2025 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textWhen assessing ERP solutions for small businesses, it’s essential to recognize that these companies have distinct operational needs and constraints. While revenue can be a useful benchmark, factors such as industry type, business model complexity, and growth trajectory play an equally crucial role in determining ERP adoption. For many product-based businesses, reaching $30 million in revenue often signals the need for a more robust system to manage inefficiencies, whereas service-based companies may continue operating with simpler tools for longer. Small businesses in this segment are beyond the startup phase but still face budget limitations, making affordability, ease of implementation, and ecosystem support key selection criteria. Given these nuances, our analysis considers not only the ERP vendors’ market presence and strategic focus on small businesses but also their technology roadmap, community engagement, and ability to support businesses with evolving operational demands.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP Systems for Small Business in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Small Business ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Small Business ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
WBSP689: Grow Your Business by Understanding Celonis’ Capabilities, an Objective Panel Discussion
Send us a textERP systems have long struggled with visibility, making learning, adoption, and process optimization difficult for organizations. Traditional methods of visualizing business processes relied on stakeholder interviews, often leading to incomplete or biased representations. Process mining technology revolutionizes this approach by leveraging event logs and AI-driven analytics to map real process flows with accuracy and depth. Celonis, a leader in this space, offers powerful insights into inefficiencies and bottlenecks, but the question remains: does it truly deliver superior value compared to its competitors? Evaluating its effectiveness requires assessing scalability, ease of integration, and the depth of automation capabilities, all of which determine how well process mining translates into real business impact.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Celonis’ capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Celonis 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 Celonis.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
WBSP688: Grow Your Business by Learning SAP S/4 HANA Best Practices for High Volume Industries w/ Steele Arbeeny
Send us a textEnsuring near-zero downtime for Fortune 100 companies handling millions of transactions requires a strategic approach that blends high-availability architectures, real-time failover mechanisms, and robust disaster recovery planning. Navigating the intricate ecosystem of SAP S/4HANA—where interconnected systems drive mission-critical operations—demands a deep understanding of integration patterns, middleware, and cloud optimizations. While SAP S/4HANA offers powerful in-memory computing and streamlined processes, its ability to support high-volume environments often hinges on complementary solutions like hyperscaler infrastructure, advanced caching mechanisms, and custom performance tuning. Successfully migrating ECC workloads to S/4HANA means addressing these complexities head-on, ensuring that scalability, resilience, and minimal disruption remain at the core of the transition strategy.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Steele Arbeeny, with SNP, to provide insights into SAP S/4 HANA best practices for high-volume industries.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Mar 3, 2025 • 33min
WBSP687: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 ERP Systems for Startups in 2025 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textWhen selecting an ERP system, startups must balance affordability and ease of implementation. With lean teams and revenue typically under $10 million, these businesses require solutions that allow basic transaction processing without complex implementation layers. Unlike larger enterprises, startups can initially function with more isolated systems, reducing the urgency for deep integrations. However, as they grow, the ability to consolidate becomes crucial. The best ERP solutions for startups provide leaner layers of data and process models, sometimes at the expense of scalability. By prioritizing systems with strong market traction, investor backing, and a clear technology roadmap, startups can make informed choices that support both their current operations and long-term success.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP Systems for Startups in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Startup ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Startup ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 1min
WBSP686: Grow Your Business by Understanding MailChimp’s Capabilities, an Objective Panel Discussion
Send us a textMarketing automation has come a long way, evolving from basic email campaigns into sophisticated, multi-channel ecosystems that integrate SMS, ads, and websites. However, not all platforms cater equally to businesses of different sizes. Enterprise-grade solutions offer advanced workflow security and unified customer insights, while many SMB-focused tools, like MailChimp, often fall short in these areas. Without robust data traceability, smaller businesses struggle to manage diverse customer personas and communication preferences effectively. As competition intensifies, the question remains: is MailChimp keeping pace with the demands of modern marketing automation, or is it lagging behind in a rapidly advancing landscape?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of MailChimp’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where MailChimp 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 MailChimp.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
WBSP685: Grow Your Business by Learning Tech Trends for 2025 w/ Brian Jackson
Send us a textWith 2025 shrouded in uncertainty, one thing remains certain: executives must craft IT budgets that strike the right balance between innovation and financial discipline. Rapid technological advancements present a double-edged sword—overspending on ineffective solutions can drain resources, while underinvestment risks falling behind the competition. To navigate this landscape, leaders must align IT spending with long-term business objectives, ensuring flexibility to adapt to emerging trends without unnecessary expenditures. Strategic planning today will determine whether companies thrive in the future or scramble to keep up with industry shifts.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Brian Jackson, with InfoTech Research to provide insights into tech trends for 2025 and what executives need to know to plan their digital transformation initiatives..Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Feb 24, 2025 • 25min
WBSP684: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 Construction ERP Systems in 2025 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textSelecting the right construction ERP system in 2025 requires a deep understanding of a company’s unique operational needs, as no single solution fits all. While smaller firms may struggle with overly complex platforms, larger enterprises often demand robust functionalities that extend beyond core construction workflows. The integration of real estate management, field services, and subcontractor coordination adds layers of complexity, making it critical to evaluate whether an ERP natively supports these functions or relies on third-party add-ons. Additionally, businesses must consider the scale and nature of their projects—whether large-scale infrastructure development or small renovation jobs—as ERP suitability varies based on project scope. With industry-specific needs ranging from developer-focused solutions to nonprofit construction management, the right ERP choice hinges on aligning technology with business strategy.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 Construction ERP Systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Construction ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Construction ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
WBSP683: Grow Your Business by Understanding Smartsheet’s Capabilities, an Objective Panel Discussion
Send us a textCollaborative project management is experiencing rapid growth, with several vendors now exceeding $1 billion in ARR, yet challenges around security, pricing, and usability persist. While these platforms promise seamless coordination, customers often find implementation more complex and costly than expected, with steep licensing fees and unpredictable deployment expenses. Despite these hurdles, certain industries and use cases demand the flexibility and scalability that only specialized platforms like Smartsheet can provide. As businesses navigate these trade-offs, understanding the true cost and security implications of collaborative project management tools is essential for making informed investment decisions.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Smartsheet’s capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Smartsheet 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 Smartsheet.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Feb 18, 2025 • 56min
WBSP682: Grow Your Business by Learning Why Understanding Software BOMs is Critical w/ Matt Van Itallie
Send us a textThe CrowdStrike incident has shed light on the hidden risks within software supply chains, prompting companies to reevaluate their security posture and the role of software bills of materials (SBOMs). While some may view this as an isolated event, the reality is that vulnerabilities within supply chains are often deeper and more complex than they initially appear—especially as AI-driven advancements introduce even greater dependencies and potential attack surfaces. Despite this growing risk, many buyers still overlook SBOMs when selecting software solutions, failing to recognize their critical importance for transparency, security, and regulatory compliance. As software ecosystems become increasingly intricate, organizations must prioritize SBOMs to mitigate risks, ensure accountability, and safeguard their digital infrastructure against evolving threats.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Matt Van Itallie, Founder and CEO of Sema to provide insights into why understanding software BOMs is critical and how that can help with risk management.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.

Feb 17, 2025 • 42min
WBSP681: Grow Your Business by Learning the Top 10 Distribution ERP Systems in 2025 w/ Sam Gupta
Send us a textWhen evaluating the top 10 distribution ERP systems in 2025, businesses must consider solutions tailored to their specific industry, operational model, and technological needs. Our rankings account for a diverse range of ERP products, recognizing that distribution-centric businesses—whether in industrial supply, FMCG, or e-commerce—require different features for optimal performance. Some ERPs focus exclusively on distribution, while others integrate manufacturing, field services, or retail functionalities, making the selection process more nuanced. Additionally, physical presence matters, as warehouse-based operations demand different capabilities than online-only distributors. Factors like fleet management, logistics, and ecosystem strength further shape ERP suitability. By analyzing key criteria such as market positioning, product roadmaps, and adaptability, our list highlights the best ERP solutions for evolving distribution needs in 2025.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 Distribution ERP Systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Distribution ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Distribution ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor 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.