Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
supply chain management (SCM)
Supply chain management (SCM) is the optimization of a product's creation and flow from raw material sourcing to production, logistics and delivery to the final customer. Continue Reading
Exploring COVID-19 food supply chain disruptions
The food sector has been hard hit by COVID-19. Learn what some of those issues have been, how some companies have escaped the worst of it and what lessons are most important. Continue Reading
7 techniques to build supply chain resilience
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, business and supply chain leaders have realized how important supply chain resiliency is. Here are seven ways to boost it. Continue Reading
-
Should COVID-19 halt your ERP implementation? 12 questions
The COVID-19 pandemic is casting doubt on whether ERP and enterprise business applications projects should move forward. Here's help on deciding. Continue Reading
ERP security issues with working remotely during COVID-19 outbreak
Keeping the organization's enterprise systems safe is everyone's job -- from top leadership on down. Now that the coronavirus has millions homebound, that's never been more important. Continue Reading
7 reasons for ERP implementation failure
ERP consultants shared their analysis and takeaways from such spectacular ERP failures as National Grid, Revlon and Waste Management and gave advice on avoiding the same pitfalls.Continue Reading
3 case studies on reducing supply chain complexity
Understanding which technologies can best simplify supply chain management is key to success in today's economy. Here's how three companies have tackled this issue.Continue Reading
6 supply chain management tips
A poorly maintained supply chain can spell disaster for your business. Here are six supply chain management tips to ensure success and mitigate risk.Continue Reading
Last-mile delivery challenges in the age of omnichannel
The last-mile delivery problem is getting more difficult as customers demand lightning-speed product fulfillment. Here's hope.Continue Reading
How food traceability software boosts supply chain visibility
Food recalls have increased and more consumers want to know the supply chain journey of their food. Here's a look at how technology can help.Continue Reading
-
Supply Chain Planning (SCP)
Supply chain planning (SCP) is the process of anticipating the demand for products and planning their materials and components, production, marketing, distribution and sale.Continue Reading
Digital supply networks improve visibility and collaboration
Digital supply networks offer better visibility and collaboration than traditional supply chains. Find out what they are and whether they might help your company.Continue Reading
Introduction to supply chain management software of 2020
Discover the functions of supply chain management software and learn how SCM software helps companies manage the complex demands of today's customers.Continue Reading
How to find the top 3 values using the Excel LARGE function
Finding the second- and third-largest revenue numbers is far more difficult than finding the largest. That's where the LARGE function comes to the rescue.Continue Reading
How to overcome digital transformation in finance challenges
Companies like Bishop-Wisecarver and Convergint are facing challenges with employees and data while digitally transforming finance, but they're also discussing how to overcome them.Continue Reading
ERP reporting tool brings real estate firm closer to its data
Spreadsheet Server from Insightsoftware saves a real estate management firm time creating reports from its operational ERP system data and improving reporting processes.Continue Reading
Make better business decisions with financial analytics
Find out why finance is beginning to shift its emphasis on advanced and predictive analytics and the capability to use big data to support future business decisions.Continue Reading
Benefits and challenges of blockchain food supply chain growth
Using blockchain in the food supply chain may improve consumer safety, but experts say reluctance from suppliers and a lack of viable use cases are preventing widespread adoption.Continue Reading
Key considerations in global supply chain management
Globalization adds geopolitical and cybersecurity risks to the already daunting challenges of supply chain management. Read how the experts deal with them.Continue Reading
10 blockchain problems supply chains need to look out for
Blockchain is proving to be useful in the supply chain, but without a strong understanding of it and a viable use case, your organization can run into several problems along the way.Continue Reading
How can AI improve production planning in manufacturing?
Now is a good time for manufacturers to start thinking about how they can incorporate artificial intelligence technologies into their production planning systems.Continue Reading
How can distributors create an omnichannel supply chain?
Manufacturers need to be aware of the impact of omnichannel on their operations so they can determine what additional functions they'll need in three specific areas.Continue Reading
supply chain sustainability (SCS)
Supply chain sustainability (SCS) is a holistic view of supply chain processes, logistics and technologies that affect the environmental, social, economic and legal aspects of a supply chain's components. Typically, sustainability initiatives ...Continue Reading
Top 5 inventory management challenges for manufacturers
Get expert advice on the technologies, best practices and organizational change management needed to master the most common inventory management problems.Continue Reading
7 ways to ensure a successful cloud ERP implementation
Understand why everything from documenting business processes to managing shadow IT can make or break your ERP implementation. Here's what you should know.Continue Reading
Three master data management strategies to boost CRM-ERP success
'Bad data' circulating through a company's ERP environment will likely cause interfaces to fail. Learn how one business leader is cleaning things up.Continue Reading
Industrial IoT application boosts machine utilization
Metal parts maker uses MachineMetrics analytics cloud to spot underused equipment, help machinists squeeze out more production and monitor their own efficiency.Continue Reading
There's time and place for SMBs to adopt SaaS-based ERP
SMBs face many issues when implementing SaaS ERP operations versus on-premises, plus the fact that one size cloud-based ERP platform doesn't necessarily fit all companies.Continue Reading
How do e-commerce returns affect reverse logistics management?
Customers expect to return purchases, which means you need to be proactive in your approach to reverse logistics. Here are some things to think about.Continue Reading
Can low-code development benefit supply chain management?
The low-code/no-code movement is exploding as it puts app development into the hands of business users. One possibly overlooked area for this technology is the supply chain.Continue Reading
Planning for supply chain risk assessment and mitigation
Natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and unacceptable social or environmental practices can endanger supply chains, but the right tools can mitigate the risks.Continue Reading
Supply chain risk mitigation strategies on multiple fronts
Experts say you can't tackle supply chain risk with a one-size-fits-all approach. It has to address many facets -- and supplier relationships are the key.Continue Reading
IoT may throw a lifeline to PLM systems
PLM systems have functioned mostly in engineering, but now IoT-connected devices are allowing PLM to be more useful across the entire product lifecycle.Continue Reading
Why do EDI standards dominate for electronic transactions?
The EDI standard format is the only option accepted by Walmart and other retailers. But as technology and data formats have changed over the years, is there a better way?Continue Reading
What should companies know about sustainability software?
Sustainability is composed of social, environmental and economic pillars. That's why technologies focused on this market address different needs. Here's a narrow glimpse.Continue Reading
Why craft beer makers are tapping into ERP for craft brewery software
As with other process manufacturers, ERP software can help craft breweries maintain quality, while better managing growth and unexpected success. Here's a look.Continue Reading
The supply chain sustainability software market demystified
Consumers care about corporate social responsibility, which means companies should, too. Here's what to know about boosting CSR efforts with supply chain sustainability software.Continue Reading
Major components maker ramps up AI in manufacturing
Artificial intelligence is making inroads into manufacturing systems. Case in point is printed circuits manufacturer Jabil, which uses AI to improve its processes and products.Continue Reading
E-commerce packaging waste becoming a bigger issue
With the rise of online shopping, the packaging waste is becoming more of an issue. Here's a look at why and at some of the early work to solve the problem.Continue Reading
Finding the root cause of ERP implementation failures
The root cause of ERP implementation failures may be delays in decision-making. Delays add up, which wastes time and imposes extra costs on a deployment.Continue Reading
How is inventory management for e-commerce challenging?
The inventory challenges of adding e-commerce to your supply chain are considerable. Here's a look at what they entail and how you might overcome them.Continue Reading
What are the IoT industrial automation standards to watch?
PTC's CTO of industrial automation and former Kepware CEO Tony Paine explains why messaging technology is crucial for gathering data from connected devices.Continue Reading
How can supply chain greenhouse gas emissions be reduced?
Semi trucks are a small portion of total vehicles on the road but are a major source of pollution. Here's how leaders can help address this source of pollution.Continue Reading
How does material intensity help measure sustainability?
One important foundation of sustainability is using fewer materials and less energy. Using the material intensity measure can help determine the success of those reduction efforts.Continue Reading
New GRC tools include analytics, AI to keep businesses safe
As the governance, risk and compliance market changes, organizations can pass on the full-blown GRC suite and instead choose a tool that targets a specific issue.Continue Reading
What are some elements of sustainable product design?
With waste from electronics, plastics and other materials growing at a frightening rate, manufacturers can help address the problem with sustainable product design efforts.Continue Reading
How will self-driving vehicles affect the environment?
Autonomous vehicles are on track to change logistics forever. Some believe that might be a good thing for the environment.Continue Reading
How is e-commerce packaging waste an issue, and what can be done?
As the world turns to online shopping for convenience, a pressing issue is developing -- packaging waste. Here are some considerations to get the conversation started.Continue Reading
Software troubleshooting steps work best with these 10 tips
There are efficient ways to troubleshoot enterprise software, and frustrating, time-consuming ones. Follow this advice to sidestep obstacles and find a fix quickly.Continue Reading
Why the GRC platform is fading in importance
While GRC suites offer the promise of achieving governance, risk and compliance, their use can be problematic for companies. Here's a deeper look at the issues.Continue Reading
Which companies could use inventory optimization software?
Inventory -- although necessary -- is expensive to keep and needs fine-tuned management. Here's a look at why inventory optimization software can help.Continue Reading
Can warehouse robots help solve supply chain issues?
The direct-to-consumer model is transforming warehouse management and, in turn, supply chain management. Here's a look at how robotics is helping to solve some of the issues.Continue Reading
The risk analytics software your company really needs
Risk analytics tools are more and more critical for CFOs seeking to improve operational efficiency. Just one problem: It can be hard to figure out just what those tools are.Continue Reading
Seven supply chain risk factors that affect assessment, mitigation
Over the years, managing supply and demand has become increasingly complicated. Here's a look at factors that influence today's supply chain risk assessments.Continue Reading
ERP functionality now often attained piecemeal in cloud applications
More organizations are foregoing monolithic ERP systems for easy-to-deploy cloud applications that do most of what they need in nimble microservices and access to customer data.Continue Reading
Hard truths you need to know about customized ERP
It's true that companies sometimes believe packaged ERP doesn't fully support every business process. But here's why you might want to just say no to modification.Continue Reading
AP automation software saves time and paper at Wildman Business Group
ABBYY FlexiCapture for Invoices seeks to cut costs, save time and improve accuracy by automating the payment of invoices for SMBs, such as Wildman Business Group in Indiana.Continue Reading
Get smart about IIoT security risks in manufacturing
For manufacturers, IoT technology brings new cyber-risks. Here's what you should know about keeping your systems safe from hackers.Continue Reading
CFOs turning to risk analytics software to spot financial, operational threats
Regulatory compliance, loan covenants and currency risk are common targets, as organizations sift through ERP and other data looking for patterns that might give early warning.Continue Reading
Why customizing ERP software is usually a bad idea
To get the functions and flexibility that support your organization's competitive edge, try these five solutions first, before customizing ERP as a last resort.Continue Reading
Why ERP mobility requires enterprises to be proactive
Historically, enterprise resource planning systems were designed to stay firmly -- and securely -- put. That's why you'll need to address multiple challenges to achieve mobile ERP.Continue Reading
Where the industrial IoT vulnerabilities lurk in your plant
When you connect manufacturing machinery to the internet, you've created a potential gateway for hackers. Here's a look at the risks you might be facing.Continue Reading
Six essentials to becoming a data-driven company
If you want to harness the power of analytics and automation to ensure your organization's relevance, you'll have to create a culture of data. Here's how.Continue Reading
Procure-to-pay software becoming a sophisticated tool for CFOs
Most companies start out with P2P systems just to automate invoicing and procurement, but the savviest ones know how to tap them as working capital and cash-flow engines.Continue Reading
Overcome cloud integration challenges with the right strategies, tools
Nimble, agile, innovative -- companies are striving for these qualities in the current "adapt or die" business landscape, and they're looking to the cloud to enable such growth. But with companies moving more of their ERP and other enterprise ...Continue Reading
Strides in SMB technology helping more Davids compete with Goliaths
The cloud is making enterprise applications more accessible than ever for small businesses, while data technology is nourishing a new crop of startups.Continue Reading
What are the biggest concurrent engineering advantages?
A critical goal of supply chain management is to foster alignment and collaboration. Here's how concurrent manufacturing can help.Continue Reading
How manufacturers can use an MRP system to reduce inventory
By focusing on compensating factors such as safety stock and shrinkage, you can counteract the tendency of an MRP system to increase inventory, especially in the beginning.Continue Reading
Hyatt transforms employee training with Saba online learning software
Hyatt Hotels uses Saba Cloud to train employees with short videos, collaboration and mobile, but finds it a challenge to drive new users to the system.Continue Reading
How Millennials' technology expectations can help save manufacturing
Attracting Millennials to the manufacturing industry is critical if the sector is to solve its impending skills gap crisis. To that end, here are some basic efforts needed to make manufacturing systems Millennial-friendly.Continue Reading
Tagetik software helps John Hancock save time and cuts risk
Tagetik allows John Hancock and Manulife to reduce the time it takes to produce financial reports and to automatically update changes in numbers in comparable documents.Continue Reading
What supply chain issues most worry discrete manufacturers?
Discrete manufacturers face challenges related to demand forecasting and inventory management, to name just two. Here's a look at why -- and what can be done.Continue Reading
Look for warning signs in the ERP implementation process
In this podcast, Eric Kimberling of Panorama Consulting discusses the 'canaries in the coal mines' of ERP projects that may indicate an ERP project is failing.Continue Reading
What software features are key for process manufacturing ERP?
Chemical companies, food processing companies, makers of pharmaceuticals and other process manufacturers have specific ERP needs. Here's what you need to know about finding the right software.Continue Reading
What kinds of challenges do mobile ERP technologies pose?
In this time of ubiquitous smartphones and the use of BYOD, it would seem that mobile ERP applications would be widespread in manufacturing. Here's why they're not.Continue Reading
Financial apps in the cloud? Count on it
As the business world becomes more mobile, its cloud comfort level on financial apps will reach greater heights.Continue Reading
The move to SaaS-based applications remains a gradual process
More organizations are moving business applications off-premises, relying on technology once thought of as cutting-edge, like software as a service—but full steam ahead it’s not.Continue Reading
Risks give pause, but rewards abound with networked devices
The manufacturing industry -- like many other industries -- stands to gain a lot from the growth of networked devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). Networked devices offer a plethora of information for manufacturers, and this information can ...Continue Reading
How can manufacturers improve field service operations?
Equipment providers and distributors are shifting their focus to improving field service. What are some best practices and technologies that can boost customer engagement and increase sales?Continue Reading
Manufacturer finds success with cloud-based ERP system
When it came time for international expansion, Shaw Industries turned to a cloud-based ERP system. The company couldn't be happier.Continue Reading
E2open boosts sales and operations planning at outsourcer
Radisys was able to sync plans with China manufacturer after integrating SAP ERP with Steelwedge S&OP and E2open's E2 PR in a hybrid cloud system.Continue Reading
CPM tools and BI: A winning combination
Companies can benefit from further integrating CPM tools and BI, whether they're still evaluating CPM or already use CPM and BI software.Continue Reading
Using predictive analytics methods to answer business questions
Need to know where to put your next store? Or whether or not a promotional campaign will work? Predictive analytics methods may be the answer.Continue Reading
Lean and sustainability strategies meld for supply chain transformation
Some manufacturers are expanding lean and sustainability strategies to the supply chain to reduce waste and bolster efficiencies, but extending these practices outside a company's four walls won't be easy.Continue Reading
Epicor ERP, MES bring precision to IMCO's operational data
Epicor ERP helped one manufacturer take its operational data from the Stone Age to real time.Continue Reading
Four steps to consolidate disparate core financial systems
Many large companies have more than one core financial system, which can inhibit data visibility. Learn how and when to consolidate.Continue Reading
Users laud the benefits of tax provisioning software
Faster closes, automatic uploads, more consistency -- just a few of the advantages companies that scrap Excel for a tax provisioning system can reap.Continue Reading
Hammond's Candies finds sweet success with move to Sage ERP from Microsoft
When Microsoft Dynamics made an ERP upgrade unaffordable, Hammond's Candies made a bold move to Sage ERP.Continue Reading
Intacct provides the back-office backbone for global growth at STS
Manually converting currencies at STS International wasn't cutting it. Learn how Intacct helped in the IT service company's global expansion.Continue Reading
Five critical factors that define ROI of IT projects
While cost is certainly an important factor in defining IT projects' ROI, Rob Livingstone recommends that companies also evaluate risk and value.Continue Reading
Excel tip: Find missing fractional cents
Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka MrExcel, demonstrates how an auditor can locate fractional cents hidden by the Decrease Decimal icon.Continue Reading
ReconNET streamlines credit card reconciliation at Panera
Trintech's ReconNET reconciliation software helped cafe chain Panera bake more visibility and efficiency into the credit card reconciliation process.Continue Reading
Demand management through S&OP
In this expert tip, learn how manufacturing demand management can be improved through sales and operations planning.Continue Reading
Excel tip: Use Alt+Enter to break lines of text in a single cell
Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka 'MrExcel,' shows why Alt+Enter is a more precise alternative to Wrap Text.Continue Reading
For technology change management, engage employees early and often
A communication consultant shares proven tips for ensuring ERP project success.Continue Reading
Seven considerations before launching driver-based planning
When getting started with driver-based planning, Rob Livingstone recommends taking an inclusive approach and defining accountability.Continue Reading
Maximize the ROI of ERP projects with an ERP center of excellence
An ERP consultant with experience helping organizations establish ERP centers of excellence answers some basic questions.Continue Reading
Excel tip: Fill Handle tricks
Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka 'MrExcel,' shows how to use the Excel Fill Handle to extend series.Continue Reading
Excel tip: Requiring a password to open or edit an Excel workbook
Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka 'MrExcel,' explains how to set a password to open or modify an Excel workbook in this Excel tip.Continue Reading
Clean ERP before new budgeting and forecasting software: Yes or no?
Rob Livingstone explains how to decide whether or not to get ERP data in order before implementing new budgeting, planning and forecasting software.Continue Reading