Do you have the right ERP for your business?

The AlchemistChange Management, Software Selection, Systems and Process Review, Vendor Management

One of the running jokes about ERP is that the business always thinks that the last software package was better than the current software package, even when everyone hated the last software package. After the initial honeymoon period of a new software implementation, it’s pretty common for staff to start to focus on the system flaws and what it does …

Is Paper Burying your Business and is Document Management software the solution?

The AlchemistSoftware Selection, Systems and Process Review, Vendor Management

Generating paper forms has become one of the most frequent, recurring actions in modern offices. We print everything – emails, reports, invoices, spreadsheet data, letters, customer correspondence – the idea of the printed copy being that we have tangible, physical representation that an action has occurred, or confirmation that a task needs to take place. In many circumstances, a hard …

The Not-So-Hidden Business Cost of Spreadsheets

The AlchemistSystems and Process Review

The last thirty years has seen the gradual dominance of ERP and management systems across business. Software management systems that previously were financially out of reach for many businesses, are now reasonable and worthwhile investments. In addition, there is now a large selection of available software systems, ranging from whole-of-business to best-of-breed, to products specific to industry-based verticals.  However, one …

Learning to “Speak Software Vendor”

The AlchemistVendor Management

Software vendors… you love them, but you hate them. A lot of customers tend to have a vendor “war story” and unfortunately, often let it bias their relationship with their vendor. Customers can have long memories when it comes to vendor issues and the “small upgrade incident of 2010”, often escalates as it gets re-told over the years. We often …

Are you being an ostrich about your business processes and IT systems?

The AlchemistBusiness Advisory - Software and Systems, Systems and Process Review

Process challenges and changes are a part of daily business life. They’re either a common part of the juggling act within a business, or a catastrophic event that has the potential to shake a business to the core. Either way, they don’t go away on their own. When these process challenges are associated with technology, there’s often a particular reluctance …

Are you using your Business Management System effectively?

The AlchemistSystems and Process Review

The implementation of a new ERP or BMS for a business is a mammoth undertaking. There is always a significant cost both financially, as well as on your people. Most businesses are ill-equipped to deal with an extraordinary event like this and don’t have on tap the skill sets required for an implementation that is a process change project at …

Top Five Ways to Recognise Business Process Bloat

Ruxana D'VineBusiness Advisory - Software and Systems, Systems and Process Review

Process Bloat is everywhere in business. It’s often hidden well, like a secret addiction, and for good reason: if you knew it was there, you’d take it away. “Surely that’s not happening in my business,” you might say, “my staff are fantastic and they’re highly efficient!” There’s most likely nothing wrong with your staff, but everything wrong with the processes …