Breaking The Cycle

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...many organisations are stuck in this rip out and replace cycle, failing to maximise the value of any investment.

Different Approach

In many cases, the decision to replace the existing system is based on information provided by internal staff. Yet these individuals often lack any relevant experience or expertise in the current version of the existing system and have no insight into the raft of improvements on offer or benefits that can be derived.

To ascertain the true potential of the current system, it is important for senior management to speak with the existing system provider for advice on...

...just what can be delivered with the latest version. Organisations are often astonished to discover what can be achieved with the current version of the system in use, let alone the latest updated version. With the majority of companies typically using a fraction of the functionality paid for, a modest investment in consultancy can reveal forgotten capabilities, or suggest simple enhancements that will deliver big returns and restore confidence in the existing system.

This may allow the current IT budget to be re-deployed to address additional areas not currently integrated or even automated, such as purchasing and personal expense management, document management or CRM/service management.

It is, of course, important to be aware that many partner salesmen earn bankers’ bonuses for selling software licenses. Is the motivation for their advice focussed on short term personal gain or achieving a long term client/partner relationship? Whether the advice appears sound or not, it is worth seeking advice from another (suitably qualified) partner organisation for a second opinion.

Indeed, depending upon the driver for change, it may be that a change in supplier, rather than a change in software, may be required. For instance, if the reporting structure is required to incorporate new international... continued on page three >

 

 

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