Consider that e-commerce is digitally connecting the entire world into one big (very big) network of supply chains. Pick up any prestigious business publication�The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, Industry Week, Forbes, Midrange ERP and...

It is very common for companies to take a big leap of faith with ERP and supply chain management systems. And, unfortunately, more than 90 percent of the companies that have implemented ERP have not had a truly successful implementation the first tim...

The complexities of getting material ordered, manufactured and delivered overload most supply chain management (SCM) systems. The fact is, most systems are just not up to handling all the variables up and down the supply chain. For years, it was thou...

As customers and suppliers band together in mutually beneficial partnerships, the need for better supply chain management processes and systems is more evident and becomes a very high business priority. For many companies, it has become clear that a...

Times have changed. One permanent change is the competitive landscape. This about-face has put a great deal of strain on manufacturers and their supply chain management capabilities. In addition, customers used to evaluate suppliers on three factors�...

Selecting and implementing a new ERP system, and the process changes that go with it, is unquestionably a complex undertaking. Regardless of your size and perceived resources, an ERP implementation is not something that should be approached without a...

Consultant R. Michael Donovan writes that �old habits die hard� but your improvement strategy is your future. Management taking the right steps to determine how the business should and will be run is the only sure path to achieve and sustain a compe...

Consultant R. Michael Donovan writes that the problems and often subsequent unfavorable press surrounding many ERP and Supply Chain Management systems can be avoided. Performing the foundational prerequisites and the right pre-implementation prepara...

Consultant R. Michael Donovan writes that running a manufacturing enterprise with outdated systems will not keep a company very competitive. Mike says that software is no �silver bullet� but the right processes enabled by the right software is a log...

Consultant R. Michael Donovan says the future of planning and scheduling is with APS systems that can support faster and faster supply chain velocity requirements. A brief evaluation checklist will help company�s pinpoint causes for concern....