Customer Reviews

ERP: A-Z Implementer's Guide For Success

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For years, companies and individuals alike have struggled to understand ERP concepts and systems. Many books have been written to assist the readers with everything from selecting an ERP solution to implementing the solution. None have addressed these issues as completely as this book.

The simple, concise, easy-to-understand way in which the author, Travis Anderegg, presents the information slowly `strips' away the layers of mystery and misunderstanding that have often been associated with ERP projects - small or large. Not only does a reader gain insight into the history of ERP but also is introduced to definitions and terminology associated with Enterprise Resource Planning.

It is a known fact that approximately 80% of all ERP projects fail. Many times, companies will blame the vendor (they misled us), the software (it does not fit our business), the consultant (they should have told us not to pick this package), etc. Often times, no one was `truly' at fault; it is a matter of not understanding how to plan, select, implement, maintain, and take ownership of an ERP system. This book covers all these areas from the initial decision to consider a company's ERP software strategy through planning, evaluation, decision, negotiation, implementation, and change management. Various critical success factors are identified throughout the chapters.

It also provides diagrams, charts, and questions to aid the reader in `gleaning' the pertinent points from the chapters. The book also points out the `pitfalls' and how to avoid making costly mistakes. The concepts presented in this book can be applied not only to ERP but also to other major IT procurements, such as HR/PR systems, CRM, and DPM. This book can also prepare individuals to pass the CIERP examination and be recognized as CIERP (certified implementer of enterprise resource planning) certified.

As the book shows ERP is very much a people system - not just software. The more educated people are, in regards to ERP, the more likely that a company will be successful. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who is or will be involved with Enterprise Resource Planning:

· Business executives, senior decision makers, IT/IS managers, Department managers, and Project managers who are or will be in the market for an ERP solution

· Consultants, industry analysts, software vendors, and their staff who are in some way connected with the sales of ERP, as it provides insight into the buying cycle and the "contortions" that companies go through when purchasing this type of technology

· College and University level professors or students in Marketing, Information Systems/Technology and Project Management

This book is filled with all the knowledge anyone would need for preparing and successfully implementing Enterprise Resource Planning.

This is a great introduction to the world of ERP. After reading the book I bought copies for all the members of the team implementing the new ERP at my company. It helps you get a handle on the whole process from 20,000 ft, and makes the idea of totally changing the company not so scary. The only problem I had with the book is that the binding was terrible. The book fell apart on my first reading. But I liked it so much, I put in in a two ring binder.

If you have been asked to work on your company's ERP and are not sure what you got into, this is the book for you.

The 20 chapters in this remarkable book make this a true A to Z implementation guide. The author starts with a clearly written intoduction to ERP and follows this with a detailed overview of concepts and design. The third chapter covers functional modules that need to be incorporated into ERP systems, which completes the foundation.

Chapters 4 through 8 cover the implemention details, beginning with life cycles and sequences, addressing project teams and transition strategies, and the nuts and bolts considerations of data conversion, prototyping and testing. The information in these chapters is a good basis for an implementation work breakdown structure.

I liked the chapters on organizational change management and consultants, which are critical success factors for implementing an ERP system. I also thought that the chapter on project planning sessions was a highlight of this book and something that anyone who is involved in managing the implementation needs to carefully read.

The remainder of the book covers developing a request for proposal and evaluating vendor responses, total quality management, ROI and other factors that are extremely important to ERP (or any system) implementation project.

Some of the things that make this book invaluable include: (1) clear writing and innovative use of graphics to display relationships, comparisons and workflow; (2) the fact that each chapter can stand alone as a focused and complete discussion of the topic covered, and (3) the common sense approach taken by the author.

I strongly recommend that this book be augmented by Scorecard System For World Class Enterprise Resource Management by the same author. These two books combined with provide you with all of the information you need to select and successfully implement an ERP system that fully meets your requirements.

We have seen the ups & downs of ERP Industry - companies closing their shops in the name of ERP, law suits on ERP Vendors & Consulting firms and the worst era of ERP Consultants. Over seventy percent of ERP Implementations are nightmares. In simple words - a lack of understanding of the fundamental Principles of ERP systems, led to most of these issues.

In the world of ERP horror stories, along comes Travis Anderegg with his solution. This is a good reference book for anyone involved in any ERP including Top Management and even students, not only to implement but also to correct and optimize the ERP system. In his book author stresses that we need to look beyond ERP and treat it as an ERM (Enterprises Resource Management) tool.

Even though the book is bulky (about 750 pages), it is very interesting and I read it like a novel and completed it within two days. It helped me in analyzing the mistakes we committed in earlier implementations, what could have been done to get the best results and the way we can optimize the current system. The concepts & tools which he explained, like CIBRES Score card, Spider Diagram, Objectives & events, Transition Strategies, Environmental Characteristics, role of consultants and structure of Project Team, RFP, TQM Philosophy applied to ERP, ROI Techniques, case studies etc. to name a few, helped me in sharpening and widening my knowledge of ERP. The whole scenario of ERP is an ocean but Travis tries to give a good overall picture on most of the aspects.

Overall the book is helping me to widen and sharpen my horizon in ERP. I strongly recommend you not to treat it as a Certification tool but to use it for your success in ERP. Once again I congratulate Travis for his effort on taking back the lost glory of ERP.

A must for everybody who is involved in ERP project. once you start reading it you don't want to stop. so smooth and understandable, the writing is very clear and the graphics will help you a lot to understand each chapter. There are 20 chapters each will take you automatically to the other i highly recommend to start reading chapter by chapter. chapter 1-3 gives detailed information about ERP definition and differences between ERP & ERM, ERP concepts and design, and ERP functional modules.

Implementation details are cover in chapters 4 to 8, starting with life cycle, building your project team, prototype and testing and other important implementation issues. I think this is the best book ever written about ERP, don't waste your time searching for other books. You will find everything related to the ERP in "ERP: A-Z Implementer's Guide For Success"

This book contains a comprehensive compilation of material meticulously illustrating the components of ERP systems. It identifies the essential steps companies and implementers should practice to ensure successful ERP implementations.

The easy to follow diagrams and charts illustrate the basic concepts of ERP systems. ERP A-Z discusses the procedures companies should follow long before they purchase an ERP system as well as the follow-up procedures long after the system has been successfully implemented.

Thought provoking study questions follow each chapter to assist in preparation for the CIERP certification. ERP professionals, implementers, executives, project managers, technical writers, instructors, Q/A engineers, and others will benefit greatly from this publication.

I have worked with ERP systems, both manual and computerized, for over 25 years and this is the first time I have ever seen so much vital information contained in one easy to understand publication!

I strongly recommend that anyone even remotely connected with an ERP implementation should read and refer to ERP: A-Z. ERP: A-Z Implementer's Guide For Success would indeed make any company's library more complete!

The book provides you all you need to know about the implementation of ERP and it'll greatly help build your background on this issue. The book is not about "how" to implement for a specific software but is about "why" and "what" you should know about implemenation. You need retain sufficient knowledge to help your company make wise decisions, rather than let consultants make decision for you and your company. I am a recent MBA graduate and I found this book is a great supplement to the area that I lack from my education.

We have seen the ups & downs of ERP Industry - companies closing their shops in the name of ERP, law suits on ERP Vendors & Consulting firms and the worst era of ERP Consultants. Over seventy percent of ERP Implementations are nightmares. In simple words - a lack of understanding of the fundamental Principles of ERP systems, led to most of these issues.

In the world of ERP horror stories, along comes Travis Anderegg with his solution. This is a good reference book for anyone involved in any ERP including Top Management and even students, not only to implement but also to correct and optimize the ERP system. In his book author stresses that we need to look beyond ERP and treat it as an ERM (Enterprises Resource Management) tool.

Even though the book is bulky (about 750 pages), it is very interesting and I read it like a novel and completed it within two days. It helped me in analyzing the mistakes we committed in earlier implementations, what could have been done to get the best results and the way we can optimize the current system. The concepts & tools which he explained, like CIBRES Score card, Spider Diagram, Objectives & events, Transition Strategies, Environmental Characteristics, role of consultants and structure of Project Team, RFP, TQM Philosophy applied to ERP, ROI Techniques, case studies etc. to name a few, helped me in sharpening and widening my knowledge of ERP. The whole scenario of ERP is an ocean but Travis tries to give a good overall picture on most of the aspects.

Overall the book is helping me to widen and sharpen my horizon in ERP. I strongly recommend you not to treat it as a Certification tool but to use it for your success in ERP. Once again I congratulate Travis for his effort on taking back the lost glory of ERP Industry.