Someone starts a discussion
When do you change ERP vendors?

Thinking about changing ERP packages? I'm interested in feedback from anyone who is considering this step, or, better yet, anyone who has already done it.
Derek J Kamp , Hancor, Inc.

  Derek J Kamp , Hancor, Inc.   ET Jun 02, 2001 11:41am (1.)
We have been with our current ERP vendor for six years. The initial selection and
implementation were actually done by a consulting firm prior to my arrival. I've reviewed
the selection process, and am not convinced that they made the right decision for our
company. It appears that they made the decision that gave them the best potential of placing
additional consultants in our organization. The implementation was not handled well, and
they recommended and implemented mass modification to the product, again furthering their
best interest, not ours. Now, we've managed to remove about 50% of the modifications, but
still have difficulty with upgrades and support. They were eventually kicked out of their role,
leaving us to pick up the pieces. Now the ERP vendor has a new release which will require
basically an entire re-implementation, and an investment of 2-3 million dollars. Are ERP
implementations getting easier and/or less costly? Is anyone considering a mid-stream
change? Better yet, has anyone done it, and how did it go?
I really like this discussion starter. I felt we were succeeding when I read this:

1. It is honest talk about a vendor, devoid of self-interest of any kind.
2. The member is taking a risk in introducing a topic where he is having a problem: implementation did not go well.
3. He talks about how it feels to be used by consultants.

These are things people discuss when they take off their social face. People only take off their social face when they trust the community.

I am reminded of the children’s story of the difference between sun and wind. The wind tried to blow the man’s coat off, but he only held it tighter around him. The sun shined beautifully, and the man took his coat off himself.

This member just took his coat off. We are developing a product.