Installing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is both challenging and exciting. Yet many organizations do not recognize that one of the largest threats to such a project is a failure to focus on process improvement. If process change is not seen as a necessary element of the project, it will never be as successful as it should be.
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Because of the risks inherent in any financial implementation, it’s essential to get back to business basics. These implementations need to be understood and planned for. Thus, there are a few premises that must be addressed in the planning stages of a financials implementation. If these premises are followed in a disciplined manner, the nosebleed of implementation can be avoided.
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Most decisions on technology investments, like decisions in other business areas, are tied to expected benefits. Typically, these benefits are identified as cost savings, greater efficiencies, "best practices," or more sales. But too often the value promised by adopting new technology is misinterpreted or misunderstood by the business. The result: mismanaged expectations, or worse, business decisions made with faulty information.
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With tight budgets and spending restrictions affecting education, there has been increased interest in using a tool that has achieved significant success in the business world—customer relationship management (CRM) for schools. This approach involves taking a "customer-concentric" view to develop strategic plans. The key, however, is to take advantage of these capabilities without creating additional "information technology" overhead.
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There continues to be a wide variety of different approaches to building a solid data management solution for your organization, and just as many consulting firms across the globe willing to help you build them. However, it’s imperative for each data management solution to specialize to the unique needs of your organization’s business users, across varying functional areas.
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Technology innovation continues at an incredible rate. Computing power, end user devices, networking and communication options, and software applications all offer new capabilities and options unimagined even five years ago. But the challenge remains the same as ever: how to select technology investments wisely? By following some basic guidelines, a company can help ensure its technology investments support business direction.
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Conversion can be defined as the process of manipulating data from one format or system to another format or system. It is not “sexy.” It requires extraordinary attention to detail. Done incorrectly, the project fails. Done correctly, the organization will enjoy the confidence provided by a streamlined, efficient, and accurate system, with processes ensuring the data stays that way.
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One of the biggest decisions that must be made in the support and evolution of a purchased software application is whether to upgrade or reimplement. This one decision has far-ranging implications on the entire organization, and can drive the technology direction for years to come. The key is to understand the difference between an upgrade and a reimplementation.
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Organizations need to strike a balance between global and local reporting requirements. This is particularly challenging, as a lack of flexibility in data structures adversely impacts both business development and local reporting. Organizations must thus focus on harmonizing the global model and data structures, and assist local entities in designing for local requirements—thereby providing one data source for reporting.
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