1. Michigan_Web_Design : Part I
7 Ways To Fail In An Erp Selection
The best way to fail at an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation is to choose
the wrong software up front. Choosing software without following some basic guidelines is a
sure-fire method for disaster. Probably the worst thing that someone has done (that we
know of), was to buy their ERP software at a tradeshow, thinking it would be the cheap and
easy way to solve their problems. They ended up spending more than they expected in
finding ways to force the software into their business.
Below are some ways that will set you on the path to fail at your choice. In other words, they
are ways that you can insure that you will choose the wrong system for your company.
1. Choose ERP software without understanding your requirements. ' First, you should
ensure that you are getting the best fit for your company by documenting your
requirements. The requirements should cover the strategic, reporting, functional, and
technical aspects of what your company requires to run the business. Choosing software
without these documented and without using them as a benchmark to compare the software
against is a strategy for problems.
2. Select ERP software without paying attention to business processes. ' There are certain
ways that you run your business. Not all of them are rocket science, but there are certain
things that make your company unique and successful. Choosing software without
understanding how things flow in your company will create big problems in the
implementation when the software processes information contrary to how you run your
business.
3. Choose ERP software because your Friend/Neighbor/Relative is using it successfully at
their firm. ' Another nightmare scenario that has actually occurred is that decision makers
have purchased software because their ____ (fill in the blank) has used it and it worked
great at that company. That company is not your company. On the surface they may seem
similar, but just because one company is running well on the ERP system does not mean
that yours will. You may have a special process for getting your goods out the door. The
software may not support that method. Perhaps there is some information that you must
have because of financial, regulatory, or supply chain requirements. The other company
may not have that issue. Perhaps you need to track lot numbers and the _____'s company
does not. There are too many business issues that can create havoc in an information
system, if the system is not carefully matched to the requirements (see #1).
4. Not having the ERP vendor prove that it will support your business processes. ' ERP
vendors have one goal. Sell you software. Do they care if it fits, can successfully operate
your business, or even if it will be a huge burden on your staff? Not really. In fact, if you buy
software that requires a lot of care and feeding because it is not a good fit, then the vendor
is the one who supports it and makes a handsome flow of income off your company. Get the
vendor to demonstrate that it meets your requirements and can transact information in a

2. method that is aligned with your business processes.
5. Choosing ERP software because it looks cool. ' You may laugh at this one, but the user
interface is a sexy selling point of many systems. Is a plain old green-screen as nice to work
in as a really colorful Windows ' screen? Probably not, but does the Windows'-based
system really address your issues? Your goal should be aligning a perspective system with
your business needs. If it comes with a cool interface great, if not, can you live with it?
6. Let the ERP vendor tell you what you need to be doing. ' Related to number 4 above,
having the ERP vendor guide you in your selection is a roadmap to hell. You need to guide
them. Tell them what you want and expect. Too many times has a single vendor gained the
trust and confidence of a decision maker and guided them to a particular system, without
any concern for how close a match is it to the business requirements and processes.
7. Take the ERP vendor's first offer without negotiating. ' You can generally negotiate with a
vendor several times and get a more than fair price. But the key is to follow good
negotiation tactics. Don't forget that most everything is negotiable. The software, the
services, the maintenance, the timing, etc. In the ERP industry, the best time to buy
software is at the quarter or year end according to the vendor's financial calendar.
The key thing to understand is that there is a path that can lead you to success and many
routes to failure. Know thyself first. Understand your business and document it. It is not
enough to think you know it. Talk to all levels of users and managers. Ensure that
everyone's needs are defined and a priority is placed upon those needs. If you are not sure
of selecting a major investment such as an ERP, then get outside help from a consultant
who is non-biased towards systems and can guide you. Be careful of assistance from a
company that has an SAP practice, or an Oracle practice, etc. They have internal motivation
to help you choose their flavor of software.
Most importantly, understand that you need to drive the process. It is your selection and you
need to live with the results. As any good project manager will tell you, start with the end in
mind. What do you want the system to do for your company now and in seven years from
now? Understand this and go forward in selecting your system.
Hiring a web designer to come up with the custom solution that you need can set you back
a few thousand bucks. But you can do the whole thing yourself and make it drag and drop
simple for mere pennies with a tool like Breezy Websites. See http://breezywebsites.com
for details!
MICHIGAN_WEB_DESIGN : End of Part I
Michigan_Web_Design : Part II

3. Keep Your Relationship With Your Members Through Membership Software
In an online business, you hear big stories about success but there are even bigger stories
for failed ones. Indeed, taking chances to set up business online is risky but if you know
what kind of strategy you should employ will bring it big for you in the industry. In the case
websites which have members to tend for, the most ideal step to take along with the course
of their management is to hire membership software. Membership software will allow the
website to increase traffic and, therefore, more revenue. A website with the membership
software is the easiest route to success, so if you haven't had one you can start changing
your luck in the online world.
Membership software as a solution for an effective organization
In today's fast-paced world, everything is literally fast you cannot possibly keep up with it if
there is not something to make your organization held in an efficient or effective fashion. In
the internet world, it is even more a requirement to keep your business with the latest
strategies or tools; or otherwise, you will always get lost in the complex maze of the highly-
competitive world of the industry.
Maintaining a particular organization through a website is something which entails a very
broad set of activities. To keep this organization, you have to ensure there are the right
activities collected, and then configured properly for you to implement effective plans. This
will help you keep your members and avoid losing them. And if worked with even more
conceptualized strategy, you are going to attract more people to signup with the
organization.
For an effective organization with a website, you have to employ a particular tool or strategy
to keep the members; in this case, the most ideal tool is the membership software. Because
of the wide spectrum of activities required in the membership website, the membership
software program will help you run it systematically. It will help you keep your members
committed with their connection with the organization.
The membership software is a must for most organizations or associations. Without this
program, it would be difficult to manage them. And without the proper courses for managing
them, you would eventually lose track of your members. Losing members will mean a loss
of traffic in the website; thus, loss of revenue and potentials of earning more.
Membership software programs are available in wide selection. Choosing one for you might
be tricky, so you have time to analyze properly your needs. These programs can be quite
expensive and you do not want to lose your money on one which does not suit your
organization. To help you with your search, you must consider some key points in order for
you to select the most appropriate program.
You have to check the reliability of the software, and then look at its actual features. You
also have to consider the compatibility of the membership software program with the web
hosting account you have. And of course, the most important factor is the price. Again, you
do not want to waste even a cent on a wrong choice, so consider all these things before

4. purchasing one.
While there are lots of membership software programs available on the internet, you cannot
just as easily point and pick the best one for you. Research a lot so you would have vast
knowledge about their systems. After considering all the needs of your organizations, take
time to compare each software program you come across to.
Hiring a web designer to come up with the custom solution that you need can set you back
a few thousand bucks. But you can do the whole thing yourself and make it drag and drop
simple for mere pennies with a tool like Breezy Websites. See http://breezywebsites.com
for details!
MICHIGAN_WEB_DESIGN : End of Part II
Michigan_Web_Design : Part III
Keep Your Relationship With Your Members Through Membership Software
In an online business, you hear big stories about success but there are even bigger stories
for failed ones. Indeed, taking chances to set up business online is risky but if you know
what kind of strategy you should employ will bring it big for you in the industry. In the case
websites which have members to tend for, the most ideal step to take along with the course
of their management is to hire membership software. Membership software will allow the
website to increase traffic and, therefore, more revenue. A website with the membership
software is the easiest route to success, so if you haven't had one you can start changing
your luck in the online world.
Membership software as a solution for an effective organization
In today's fast-paced world, everything is literally fast you cannot possibly keep up with it if
there is not something to make your organization held in an efficient or effective fashion. In
the internet world, it is even more a requirement to keep your business with the latest
strategies or tools; or otherwise, you will always get lost in the complex maze of the highly-
competitive world of the industry.
Maintaining a particular organization through a website is something which entails a very
broad set of activities. To keep this organization, you have to ensure there are the right
activities collected, and then configured properly for you to implement effective plans. This
will help you keep your members and avoid losing them. And if worked with even more
conceptualized strategy, you are going to attract more people to signup with the
organization.

5. For an effective organization with a website, you have to employ a particular tool or strategy
to keep the members; in this case, the most ideal tool is the membership software. Because
of the wide spectrum of activities required in the membership website, the membership
software program will help you run it systematically. It will help you keep your members
committed with their connection with the organization.
The membership software is a must for most organizations or associations. Without this
program, it would be difficult to manage them. And without the proper courses for managing
them, you would eventually lose track of your members. Losing members will mean a loss
of traffic in the website; thus, loss of revenue and potentials of earning more.
Membership software programs are available in wide selection. Choosing one for you might
be tricky, so you have time to analyze properly your needs. These programs can be quite
expensive and you do not want to lose your money on one which does not suit your
organization. To help you with your search, you must consider some key points in order for
you to select the most appropriate program.
You have to check the reliability of the software, and then look at its actual features. You
also have to consider the compatibility of the membership software program with the web
hosting account you have. And of course, the most important factor is the price. Again, you
do not want to waste even a cent on a wrong choice, so consider all these things before
purchasing one.
While there are lots of membership software programs available on the internet, you cannot
just as easily point and pick the best one for you. Research a lot so you would have vast
knowledge about their systems. After considering all the needs of your organizations, take
time to compare each software program you come across to.
Hiring a web designer to come up with the custom solution that you need can set you back
a few thousand bucks. But you can do the whole thing yourself and make it drag and drop
simple for mere pennies with a tool like Breezy Websites. See http://breezywebsites.com
for details!
MICHIGAN_WEB_DESIGN : End of Part III

6. For an effective organization with a website, you have to employ a particular tool or strategy
to keep the members; in this case, the most ideal tool is the membership software. Because
of the wide spectrum of activities required in the membership website, the membership
software program will help you run it systematically. It will help you keep your members
committed with their connection with the organization.
The membership software is a must for most organizations or associations. Without this
program, it would be difficult to manage them. And without the proper courses for managing
them, you would eventually lose track of your members. Losing members will mean a loss
of traffic in the website; thus, loss of revenue and potentials of earning more.
Membership software programs are available in wide selection. Choosing one for you might
be tricky, so you have time to analyze properly your needs. These programs can be quite
expensive and you do not want to lose your money on one which does not suit your
organization. To help you with your search, you must consider some key points in order for
you to select the most appropriate program.
You have to check the reliability of the software, and then look at its actual features. You
also have to consider the compatibility of the membership software program with the web
hosting account you have. And of course, the most important factor is the price. Again, you
do not want to waste even a cent on a wrong choice, so consider all these things before
purchasing one.
While there are lots of membership software programs available on the internet, you cannot
just as easily point and pick the best one for you. Research a lot so you would have vast
knowledge about their systems. After considering all the needs of your organizations, take
time to compare each software program you come across to.
Hiring a web designer to come up with the custom solution that you need can set you back
a few thousand bucks. But you can do the whole thing yourself and make it drag and drop
simple for mere pennies with a tool like Breezy Websites. See http://breezywebsites.com
for details!
MICHIGAN_WEB_DESIGN : End of Part III