Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• The ultimate guide to ERP

  ERP is the nervous system of modern businesses. Learn how it works, understand its risks and benefits, and get tips on deployment in this wide-ranging guide. Continue Reading

• Evaluating today's 8 leading ERP software vendors

  Here's an overview to help you understand the strengths, market positioning and major product lines of eight leaders in ERP, with quick takes from industry analysts. Continue Reading

• AI chatbots for ERP: Assessing the benefits and tools

  Generative AI and other machine learning bots are coming to ERP in a big way. Here's an overview of the terminology, the pluses and minuses, and the top tools and vendors. Continue Reading

• 10 ERP trends for 2024 and beyond

  AI-driven automation is fast transforming an ERP market that continues its long march to the cloud, as many buyers seek modernization, efficiency and help with ESG reporting. Continue Reading

• WMS vs. WCS vs. WES: Learn the differences

  Companies often implement a WMS, then potentially add a WCS or a WES later. Learn more about WMS, WCS and WES as well as the differences between the three systems. Continue Reading

• MES vs. ERP: What are the differences?

  MES software focuses on manufacturing processes, while an ERP system focuses on company operations. Learn more about the differences between MES vs. ERP.Continue Reading

• 7 advantages, disadvantages of using a TMS

  Using a TMS can help companies in various ways, but it can also bring disadvantages. Learn more about the pros and cons of using a transportation management system.Continue Reading

• 10 AI use cases in manufacturing

  Manufacturing companies are turning to AI to streamline the way they do business and increase efficiency. Here are 10 common use cases.Continue Reading

• PLM vs. PIM: What are the differences?

  Users primarily work with PLM data during product development, while users work with the data from a PIM system when marketing the final product. Learn more about PLM vs. PIM.Continue Reading

• Value chain vs. supply chain: What are the differences?

  Although value chains and supply chains can be interchangeable, they are separate approaches to producing goods. Learn more about value chain vs. supply chain.Continue Reading

• 5 ways AI can help in field service management

  AI can help service companies improve their field service management in a myriad of ways. Learn some of the benefits of organizations using AI for this purpose.Continue Reading

• 7 benefits of ERP in accounting

  ERP and accounting applications operate separately, but ERP systems can deliver valuable financial insights for companies. Learn about the benefits of ERP in accounting.Continue Reading

• Third-party support a new option for SAP S/4HANA Cloud users

  Rimini Street CTO Eric Helmer explains how the company provides tech support and maintenance for SAP and Oracle ERP systems and where on-premises ERP fits in SAP's cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• 6 benefits of field service management software

  6 benefits of field service management softwareContinue Reading

• 6 features to look for in field service management software

  Company leaders should make sure their field service management software includes some important features. Learn what to look for, including mobile access.Continue Reading

• 9 benefits of MRP software

  MRP and MRP II software can offer multiple benefits to manufacturers. Learn how manufacturing companies can use them to potentially improve key production processes.Continue Reading

• 2 sustainable packaging benefits and 1 challenge to know

  Learn how using sustainable packaging can benefit companies in various ways, including to improve brand image, as well as challenges of which supply chain leaders should be aware.Continue Reading

• 10 steps you need to carry out post-ERP implementation

  Project leaders can navigate post-ERP implementation challenges by taking these steps. Get tips on when to tackle to-do list items and other tasks.Continue Reading

• ERP vs. BPM: Which is best for your company?

  Some companies may need BPM software to supplement their existing ERP system. Learn more about ERP vs. BPM and how these tools can work together to improve efficiency.Continue Reading

• ERP and APS: What are the differences?

  Manufacturing companies may find their ERP software isn't fulfilling their needs. Learn how APS can help with challenges like capacity planning and what-if scenarios.Continue Reading

• Augmented reality vs. virtual reality vs. mixed reality

  Learn about AR vs. VR vs. MR as well as how companies in various industries are using these extended reality technologies to potentially improve their operations.Continue Reading

• Learn the differences between 3PL and 4PL

  A 3PL logistics provider fulfills some companies' needs, while others require a 4PL's more extensive services. Learn the difference between 3PL and 4PL.Continue Reading

• 3PL brokerage vs. freight brokerage: Which fits your needs?

  A 3PL brokerage and a freight brokerage offer different services, so supply chain leaders should learn the differences between the two to decide which fits their company's needs.Continue Reading

• New SAP blockchain applications target B2B collaboration

  SAP's Benjamin Stoeckhert reveals the most common types of blockchain applications, explains SAP product offerings and gives tips on how to get started.Continue Reading

• Challenges and benefits of cloud for the finance department

  Moving the finance function to the cloud can help companies. Learn about some of the benefits that can result from doing so, as well as potential challenges.Continue Reading

• ERP vs. EPM: Which should you choose?

  ERP and EPM differ in several ways. Learn how the individual systems work alone, how they complement each other and how they can increase an organization's efficiency.Continue Reading

• Centralized services as a hedge against shadow IT's escalation

  Proliferation of cloud, AI and integration tools has increased the deployment security risks of shadow IT and the need to centralize business functions and share support services.Continue Reading

• HR shared services models benefit employee experiences

  In the new reality of hybrid and remote workforces, shared services organizations smooth work processes, increase collaboration, and improve employee engagement and productivity.Continue Reading

• Learn difference between additive, subtractive manufacturing

  Additive and subtractive manufacturing are two different approaches that are often combined by manufacturers. Learn the difference between the two methods.Continue Reading

• Active vs. passive RFID tags: Which to choose

  There are benefits and challenges to both active and passive RFID tags. An organization should learn what they are and what they do before implementation.Continue Reading

• Why RFID for supply chain management is still relevant

  RFID is comparatively older technology but can still be relevant for supply chain management. Learn some potential logistics uses for RFID and reasons for its increased adoption.Continue Reading

• CRM vs. ERP: Understand the differences

  Some companies may require CRM software in addition to their ERP system. Learn more about CRM vs. ERP and whether your company requires CRM software as well.Continue Reading

• RFID vs. IoT: What are the differences?

  Users often combine RFID and IoT, but the two technologies are different in some important ways. Learn more about RFID vs. IoT and the uses for each in the supply chain.Continue Reading

• RFID vs. barcodes in supply chain: Which should you choose?

  Both RFID and barcodes are valuable in the supply chain, but each is more useful for particular scenarios. Learn what to consider when deciding between RFID vs. barcodes.Continue Reading

• Choosing wrong ERP implementation partner: 10 warning signs

  Working with an ERP implementation partner can sometimes bring some warning signs. Learn these 10 indicators that your project team is working with the wrong partner.Continue Reading

• 8 items to include on an ERP demo scorecard, with template

  Evaluation team members may lose track of crucial ERP features if they attend multiple ERP demos. Learn some items to include on vendor demo scorecards.Continue Reading

• Big bang vs. phased ERP implementation: Which is best?

  Selecting the big bang approach vs. the phased approach for an ERP implementation is a crucial choice for project leaders. Learn the pros and cons of each.Continue Reading

• SAP Sapphire 2022 models a digitally transformed future

  TechTarget editors who were on site in Orlando and The Hague analyze SAP Sapphire 2022, which is being held in person for the first time since 2019 and extended to nine cities.Continue Reading

• Consider 'ESP' when thinking about ERP for your business

  For ERP purposes, 'ESP' stands for three crucial elements that are impacting contemporary ERP choices and implementations: ecosystems, security and pandemic.Continue Reading

• How COVID-19 has affected just-in-time supply chains

  Industry leaders long held up the just-in-time supply chain model as ideal, but the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed its weaknesses. Learn whether just-in-time is over for good.Continue Reading

• 9 questions to ask the vendor during an ERP software demo

  ERP implementation team members should ask certain questions during a software demo to ensure they receive the information they need. Learn what team members should ask vendors.Continue Reading

• Choosing the right accounting software: SMB to enterprise

  To find the best enterprise accounting software, businesses must outline specific criteria and compare those criteria against accounting software features and benefits.Continue Reading

• 5 best practices for creating a data-driven supply chain

  Turning to data and analytics to manage supply chain disruption only helps if leaders use good practices for extracting insights. Here are five that can help.Continue Reading

• What's so special about industry clouds?

  TechTarget editors discuss the emergence of industry clouds from ERP vendors, including Infor, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP.Continue Reading

• Enterprise accounting software explained

  Evolving companies often turn to enterprise accounting software, especially when they grow out of SMB software, but aren't yet ready for a complex ERP system.Continue Reading

• Exploring the benefits of enterprise accounting software

  Enterprise accounting software benefits extend beyond balancing the books, with many advanced products perfect for companies not yet ready for full-on ERP.Continue Reading

• 4 questions to ask about an outsourced cloud ERP IT help desk

  IT leaders outsourcing their cloud ERP help desk should consider various factors before selecting a vendor. Learn the criteria to consider when you choose one.Continue Reading

• Does concurrent planning in the supply chain work?

  Does concurrent planning in the supply chain work to address disruption? Some experts say the promise doesn't yet match reality during major crises.Continue Reading

• SaaS ERP customization vs. out of the box: Pros, cons

  Companies considering SaaS ERP should weigh various factors when deciding on customization vs. out of the box. Learn what to consider when making the choice.Continue Reading

• Internal SaaS ERP support vs. outsourcing: 3 factors to consider

  Is outsourcing SaaS cloud ERP support the best fit? Learn the factors that IT leaders must weigh when deciding whether to keep SaaS cloud ERP support internal vs. outsourcing.Continue Reading

• How to modernize your legacy ERP system

  Modernizing a legacy ERP system can be vital for staying relevant in today's marketplace. Learn what IT leaders need to know about the process.Continue Reading

• SAP S/4HANA implementation partners on cloud vs. on premises

  SAP practice leaders at Deloitte, EY and IBM share their advice on whether, when and how to move to S/4HANA, what the Rise with SAP service really does and how cloud versions differ.Continue Reading

• Why asset management software is more important than ever

  Doing more with less has long been important -- but in the last couple of years, the idea has taken on new relevance. Learn how asset management software can help.Continue Reading

• 6 benefits of asset performance management

  Asset performance management can help improve a company's bottom line by reducing costs and making devices more reliable. Learn more benefits of asset performance management.Continue Reading

• Can ERP managed services extend the life of on-premises ERP?

  Executives from managed service provider Inoapps explain how outsourcing ERP infrastructure can buy time to plan an eventual migration to SaaS ERP.Continue Reading

• Guide to supply chain management

  The pandemic showed what can happen when the unimaginable breaks apart global supply chains and disrupts life as we know it. Effective supply chain management can restore order.Continue Reading

• Workday ERP claims hold up despite inroads by SAP, Oracle

  TechTarget editors discuss where Workday stands 16 years after popularizing SaaS HCM and whether it can continue to thwart the cloud ERP ambitions of Oracle and SAP.Continue Reading

• SaaS ERP

  SaaS ERP is a type of cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that runs on the vendor's or cloud provider's servers, is sold through subscription and delivered as a service over the internet.Continue Reading

• 9 ERP use cases to consider before buying an ERP system

  Choosing the right ERP system requires considering a dizzying array of factors from company size to business goals. Here are nine use cases that can help simplify your research.Continue Reading

• The SAP Business Network effect: Putting it all together

  At Sapphire Now 2021, SAP took pains to plot a way forward after COVID-19, mapping out a future of improved sustainability for itself, its customers and their global partners.Continue Reading

• Top 5 last-mile delivery challenges

  Last-mile delivery challenges can lead to reduced revenue. Here are some of the most common last-mile delivery problems your company is likely facing and why they occur.Continue Reading

• Should you move to SaaS ERP? Top factors to consider

  Although SaaS ERP holds the promise of agility for many companies, understanding the nuances of migration is critical. Here are six areas to consider.Continue Reading

• What are the best uses for RPA and AI in ERP?

  IFS VP Bob De Caux discusses the push for intelligent process automation in ERP, the scalability limitations of RPA and how to tell software-based intelligence from plain old IT.Continue Reading

• Top 8 warehouse management systems to research

  Efficient warehouses are key to customer satisfaction. Learn about some of the top warehouse management systems, including some of their benefits and drawbacks.Continue Reading

• Overview of 4 types of warehouse management systems

  Modern companies need to create efficient warehouses, and understanding which type of warehouse system to choose is key to that. Here's a look at four types and how they can help.Continue Reading

• A real-life example of the self-distribution supply chain model

  A self-distribution approach to supply chain management can help a company lower the risk of disruption. Learn how Ahold Delhaize USA is doing just that.Continue Reading

• 5 COVID-19 vaccine rollout lessons for supply chain leaders

  The effort and coordination required to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to people across the globe provides powerful lessons. Here are five.Continue Reading

• 8 essential ERP vendor evaluation criteria

  Preparing for the ERP vendor selection process is key to success. Here's some criteria you need to ensure that you choose the right software for your organization.Continue Reading

• SAP cloud migration effort enters new, accelerated phase

  With strong cloud growth already on the books and the new Rise program enticing customers to S/4HANA Cloud, 2021 could be the year SAP finally breaks from its on-premises past.Continue Reading

• 8 benefits of a warehouse management system

  A warehouse management system has the potential to save your company money and help improve warehouse efficiency. Learn how a WMS can benefit your company.Continue Reading

• Fueled by new technologies, the future of supply chains is here

  An army of digital technologies like AI, IoT, bots and blockchain will reshape supply chains and add resiliency and transparency in the wake of the pandemic. Learn how.Continue Reading

• Top 5 warehouse technology trends for 2021

  Effective warehouse management has become even more critical. Learn which technologies are most important to creating efficiency and gaining a competitive edge.Continue Reading

• 8 key supplier relationship management strategies

  Treating suppliers like partners and planning for disruption are two components of a successful supplier relationship management strategy. Here's what to keep in mind.Continue Reading

• Buyers, don't overlook small and midsize ERP providers

  Acumatica, Epicor, IFS and the Salesforce platform ERPs are among lower-profile players that are keeping up with the big four in cloud options and technical innovation.Continue Reading

• 9 supplier relationship management benefits COVID-19 emphasized

  The benefits of effective supplier management include less price volatility for businesses and the possibility of future collaboration. Learn about others and why they matter.Continue Reading

• What is the role of the consultant in ERP vendor selection?

  When your company chooses an ERP vendor, an outside consultant can contribute in a number of ways. Here's what a consultant can help drive and what you should handle yourself.Continue Reading

• IFS Field Service Management software: Overview, pros, cons

  IFS FSM software is meant to manage field staff and assets. Learn about its advantages and disadvantages and whether your company should put it on a vendor shortlist.Continue Reading

• Use predictive analytics in manufacturing to gain insight

  Predictive analytics in manufacturing is a crucial part of a predictive manufacturing system. Learn about its promise, its drawbacks and why.Continue Reading

• Cloud ERP vs. on-premises ERP: 10 key differences

  Understanding the differences between on-premises ERP and cloud ERP, especially multi-tenant SaaS, is critical in buying decisions. Here's how they compare in 10 important areas.Continue Reading

• Unit4 ERP cloud vision is impressive, but can it compete?

  With the upcoming Unit4 ERPx, the Netherlands-based vendor is again demonstrating its ambition to challenge the market leaders in highly modular, AI-driven SaaS ERP.Continue Reading

• Predictive maintenance: Definition, benefits, example, strategy

  Predictive maintenance is a promising approach to monitoring equipment and preventing failures. Learn about the benefits of this approach and how to get started.Continue Reading

• Early days for digital twins in the supply chain

  A digital twin that solves every supply chain problem may not yet be a reality. Learn why and which types of projects are realistic for today.Continue Reading

• Data migration vs. data conversion: What are the differences?

  Data migration and data conversion are related, but not the same. Discover how each one factors into an ERP or other software implementation and its importance.Continue Reading

• The disruptive impact of COVID-19 on warehouse automation

  The pandemic has had mixed effects on warehouse automation. Learn why this has been the case and what warehouse leaders say are important takeaways.Continue Reading

• What are the main Microsoft Dynamics ERP products?

  Learn about Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, why Microsoft narrowed its ERP portfolio, and why this move is important.Continue Reading

• How can IT improve existing ERP system benefits?

  A canceled ERP project due to the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't have to stall productivity. Here's how to get the most from your current system.Continue Reading

• Augmented reality in field service: Why FSM needs AR now

  Augmented reality can improve field service by empowering technicians with better information. Learn why interest in AR for FSM has grown and what some early adopters are saying.Continue Reading

• Making sense of the cloud ERP architecture of Oracle and SAP

  The top ERP vendors offer more choices than ever for cloud deployment. Learn more about their public cloud, single-tenant and multitenant SaaS and other cloud options in this podcast.Continue Reading

• 10 top ERP systems CIOs and business leaders should consider

  From SMBs to global enterprises, companies of many sizes need the efficiencies the right ERP system brings to their businesses' processes. Here's a look at the top ERP systems.Continue Reading

• 5 supply chain cybersecurity risks and best practices

  Threats to supply chain security have increased in the wake of COVID-19. Learn what they are and how you can defend your organization and prevent disruption and worse.Continue Reading

• Experience management tales from the trenches

  Reports from three users of Qualtrics XM software suggested that experience management technology is gaining real ground in enterprises, but the quick ROI is still in the surveys.Continue Reading

• 9 promising use cases for RPA in finance and accounting

  Finance and accounting tasks require unflagging accuracy. Enter robotic process automation. Learn how RPA can streamline efficiency in multiple areas.Continue Reading

• 7 real-life blockchain in the supply chain use cases and examples

  Leading-edge companies are trying to fight supply chain network complexity with blockchain. Here's a look at seven use cases that demonstrate how well that's working.Continue Reading

• Who are the real leaders among cloud ERP vendors?

  The competition between SAP and Oracle is as bitter as ever, and contenders like IFS, Infor and Workday have serious offerings. But is multi-tenant SaaS ERP still the objective?Continue Reading

• Cloud ERP adoption options take on greater urgency

  Cloud doesn't always mean what you think it does. Understanding the two main types of SaaS, and how they differ from private cloud, can help cut through vendor claims.Continue Reading

• Cloud ERP implementation answers need for speed and agility

  As demand accelerates for greater speed, flexibility and efficiency in collecting, managing and analyzing corporatewide data, ERP migration to the cloud is paying dividends.Continue Reading

• Discrete vs. process manufacturing: Choosing ERP

  Process and discrete manufacturers use different processes to create products. Here's how the two differ and how these affect ERP and other technology selections.Continue Reading

• 3 benefits of digital manufacturing

  To save time and money while also streamlining production, companies are increasingly turning to digital manufacturing. Here's a look at three benefits.Continue Reading

• Sapphire Now 2020 unveiled a new, more forward-looking SAP

  Lofty goals to fight climate change and link intelligent enterprises signaled CEO Christian Klein's intention to lead a generational shift at SAP and appeal to younger customers.Continue Reading

• 7 use cases for RPA in supply chain and logistics

  Robotic process automation can help companies automate supply chain and logistics workflows. Here's a look at seven areas where RPA shows the most promise.Continue Reading