14. Evan J. Schwartz

Launch your ERP the right way.

The concept of an ERP system—where all of your company’s software talks with each other—is pretty amazing. But sometimes, launching one into your ecosystem can be treacherous. And why wouldn’t it be? You only update your ERP once every ten to fifteen years, so there’s often nobody at your organization that’s been through one, much less two, who could show you the way. Mistakes are bound to happen, but the benefits are manifold. How do you cross that chasm?

First, you get the experience you need, and in this case it’s through Evan Schwartz. He’s got over thirty years of experience working with ERP systems and has helped dozens of companies implement software systems that have saved them millions along the way. This book, People, Places, and Things, shows you the potential traps, tricks, and problems you might find along the path of rolling out your ERP, told through real-world stories from Evan’s decades of experience. You’ll hear about the CEO who saved $160,000 a day by stopping production of an unnecessary report and learn the arduous tale of a company that lost over $75 million because of poor planning during their rollout.

Learn how to:

• Create a vision statement for your ERP rollout
• Determine who goes on what team and why
• Trust your vendor
• Avoid potential problems before they happen

… and much more.

As you weave your way through the book, you’ll also find tips and tricks to guide you on your own path. Think of Evan as your own personal ERP sherpa who helps guide you through the process of rolling out your ERP, taking you down the right paths along the way.

If you’re planning on installing a new ERP system, this is the first book you should read.