In Episode 201 of Manufacturing Hub, we sit down with Tim Brown, a veteran leader with over 40 years of experience across manufacturing, construction, and IT. From managing massive ERP transformations to navigating global M&A integrations, Tim shares a masterclass in how to make enterprise software actually work in complex industrial environments.

We cover everything from:

What it was like managing ERP during Y2K

The critical difference between push vs. pull drivers for ERP change

How mergers and acquisitions shape ERP strategy

Why “people problems” derail ERP more than technology ever does

Real tactics for managing global rollouts (including Japan, France, Canada, and the U.S.)

His take on embedded AI in ERP platforms (and where it's really going)

Governance, risk, and how to actually drive adoption

Whether you’re an IT leader, plant manager, systems integrator, or just ERP-curious — this episode offers real-world lessons and practical guidance from someone who’s done it all.

🔹 Thank you to this month’s sponsor: TALAN
Helping manufacturers navigate ERP adoption, migration, and integration across SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, and more. Meet them at the American Manufacturing Summit in Chicago on March 19–20, or visit their site to learn more.

👇 Drop your questions or share your ERP war stories in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!

📌 Chapters 0:00 Intro
4:00 Tim’s Background & ERP Journey
9:00 Y2K & Early ERP Lessons
15:00 ERP Triggers: Push vs. Pull
22:00 M&A Integrations: How It Actually Happens
30:00 Roadblocks: People, Culture, and “We’re Special” Syndrome
40:00 Standardization vs. Flexibility in Rollouts
48:00 ERP Selection: Process, Partners, and Politics
58:00 Risk Mitigation & Change Management
1:05:00 MES, Data Ownership & Operational Autonomy
1:18:00 AI & the Future of ERP
1:25:00 Career Advice from Tim
1:30:00 Final Thoughts & Book Recommendation

🎧 Listen to Episode 199 with Elvis (Talen) for more on ERP selection
👉 https://youtu.be/YOUR-LINK-HERE

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