Control Your ERP Destiny: Reduce Project Costs, Mitigate Risks, and Design Better Business Solutions [Paperback]

Steven Scott Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 2012

This is the first ERP book to present comprehensive strategies and techniques that enable organizations to take charge of their ERP projects to drive success. The author describes how to become less dependent on outside software consultants, significantly reduce implementation and support costs, mitigate risks, and design business solutions that work for your company.

This book also contains hundreds of tips to create internal project ownership, manage ERP vendors, transfer software knowledge, develop the right implementation strategies, establish a realistic schedule and budget, and streamline business processes. It is a guide for making informed decisions during each project phase. The information is applicable to new implementations and system upgrades. The book is endorsed by R Ray Wang, Tom F. Wallace, and Andy Klee.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"You owe it to your company and yourself to read this book. If you do so, you will sharply increase your odds for success and spend a lot less money. Steve has done the ERP industry a big service." --Tom F. Wallace, early ERP pioneer, author and Distinguished Fellow at The Ohio State University Center for Operational Excellence. --.

"I love this book." --R. Ray Wang. CEO & Principal Analyst of Constellation Research. Thought leader in enterprise systems and a founding partner of the Altimeter Group. --.

"If the Project Management Institute (PMI) had a certification program in ERP Management, this would be the only textbook needed." --Andy Klee, President, Klee Associates, ERPtips.com (SAP), and JDEtips.com (JD Edwards). --.

About the Author

Steve Phillips is an ERP professional with over twenty-seven years of implementation experience as a software consultant and a practitioner within industry. His background includes senior management education, software selection, project management, application consulting, process redesign, systems design, testing, training, and post go-live support.

This extensive knowledge is coupled with a rare combination of functional experience in operations management, IT management, and business reengineering. His industry experiences include manufacturing, distribution, business services, and the public sector.

Steve is degreed in Production & Operations Management with advanced studies in Industrial Management. Previously certified by the American Production and Inventory Control Society, he has written articles appearing in APICS publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Street Smart ERP Publications; First edition (May 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615591086
• ISBN-13: 978-0615591087
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #475,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a small group of must-read ERP titles July 22, 2012

By Jon Reed

Format:Paperback

There really aren't many "must-read" ERP books in the 30 year (or so) history of ERP. Michael Doane's SAP Blue and Green Books come to mind, but those are both SAP specific. Offhand, I can't think of another, and I've read a bunch of 'em. Well, you can add Steve's book to the list. Steve's book fits nicely into what I sometimes call the Center of Excellence movement - which is the push by ERP customer to gain more value out of their ERP investments and endure less headaches. However COE thinking largely happens after go-live, whereas Steve's book gets out in front of the ERP implementations themselves. The book is a combination of hard-won advice, cautionary tales, and a bit of a manifesto for taking control of your ERP project and not putting blind trust in third party consultancies.

Steve is an excellent writer, and with 27 years of ERP experience himself, authority drips from every page. I love that Steve spends time on aligning with senior management and how to make sure there are independent experts on the project who can rise above the politics and point out issues before they are rolled out to unhappy users. In short, if you are involved in the ERP marketplace you want to read this one. You probably won't agree with everything in it - I didn't either - but that's what Steve would have wanted I think. The section on testing is a must read as well. I'm planning on giving this book to other folks in this market I respect.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Real Guide" to ERP implementations July 25, 2012

By Luket

Format:Paperback

Don't attempt an ERP implementation without this book in hand! The author, Steve Phillips, is right on about all the hard realities, unspoken truths, and candid observations that come with implementing ERP systems in companies and businesses today. While so many books (along with the marketing material put out by consulting firms) gloss over the challenges that come with ERP implementations, Phillips provides a much needed "real world" view of how best to mitigate the risks that lead to cost overruns and post go-live disasters. Great balance between all the "must have" technical aspects of an ERP implementation along with insights on the more informal operational realities we all must face.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a tough topic December 13, 2012

By acc12

Format:Paperback

ERP Implementation is a tough topic, no doubt about it. I think it is hard to write about it and still keep the readers attention. But this book does a great job. It was easy to read yet packed with great information. I found that I always had to read it with a pencil in hand to underline sections I wanted to remember. Anyone involved in the ERP software selection process or the implementation process should read this. And I think people who sell and market ERP software will get valuable insights too.