RPI Tech Connect

RPI Tech Connect

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RPI Tech Connect episodes

  • Navigating 2026 Events, From User Groups to Connect & Beyond

    With so many technology events competing for attention and tighter budgets shaping attendance decisions, choosing the right events in 2026 matters more than ever.

    In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, Michaela Fallon, CMO at RPI, and Adam Luff, VP of Product Solutions at Infor, return to break down how customers should think about the evolving event landscape. The conversation spans local user groups, large scale conferences like Infor Connect, industry focused community events, and RPI led Bootcamps and training sessions.
    Together, they discuss why in person events are regaining momentum, what makes smaller and more intimate gatherings so valuable, and how different event formats serve different audiences, from daily system users to executive leaders. The episode also explores the growing importance of peer-to-peer learning, hands on training, and authentic connection in a market crowded with virtual noise.
    If you are planning your 2026 event calendar, this episode offers a practical framework for deciding where to invest your time and why showing up in-person still delivers meaningful value.
    User groups, Connect, and everything in between—2026 is a packed year. See where RPI will be next 👉 https://www.rpic.com/events/
    *Chapters*
    00:00 Welcome to RPI Tech Connect
    00:41 Why 2026 Marks the Return of In-Person Events
    2:18 The User Group Comeback
    5:49 The Value of Credibility & Word of Mouth
    8:10 The Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Exchange
    10:01 User Groups vs. Infor Connect: What’s the Difference?
    24:00 Where to Invest Your Time in 2026
    27:21 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

    30 min
  • 3 Defining Predictions to Kick Off 2026

    Predictions are only useful if they help people make better decisions. In a complex ecosystem like Infor CloudSuite, looking ahead is less about guessing the future and more about giving the community a shared point of reference. When customers and partners understand what pressures are building, what capabilities are maturing, and where momentum is forming, they are better equipped to plan, invest, and move forward together.

    In this season three kickoff episode of RPI Tech Connect, Chris Arey is joined once again by Keith Wayland for their annual predictions conversation, a tradition that has become a reliable guide for the Infor community. Keith shares what he sees shaping 2026 and why these shifts matter for organizations at different stages of their CloudSuite journey.
    The discussion covers the next wave of CloudSuite migrations driven by the 2030 end-of-life timeline, how this second phase differs from earlier implementations, and what organizations should consider as they plan timing and resources.
    They also explore how AI adoption is moving beyond experimentation through Infor Velocity Suite, along with why renewed energy around user groups and in-person events could play a meaningful role in how the community collaborates going forward.
    If you are navigating CloudSuite decisions, preparing for what comes next, or simply trying to stay aligned with the direction of the Infor ecosystem, this episode offers practical perspective on what to watch in the year ahead.
    What's ahead for the Infor ecosystem in 2026? Explore RPI's full suite of Infor solutions 👉 https://www.rpic.com/infor/
    *Chapters*
    00:00 Welcome to RPI Tech Connect
    2:13 From Migration to Maturity: Maximizing your CloudSuite ROI
    4:04 Prediction 1: The Second Wave, Driven by Lawson’s 2030 End-of-Life
    6:03 Implementations that Mitigate Risk
    9:02 The Importance of Data Integrity
    12:04 Prediction 2: From Velocity Suite Curiosity to Practical Use Cases
    16:09 Prediction 3: The Impact of In-person Events
    20:28 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

    23 min
  • The ERP Shortlist Method That Works

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    ERP selection can feel like a straightforward software purchase, and in a way it is, as long as you are confident you are selecting the right system. And therein lies the problem. Too often, organizations default to recognizable brands, lean on informal recommendations, or build massive requirements lists that do not actually support a clear decision. After all, ERP system selection is a long-term commitment that shapes operations, reporting, and decision-making for years.

    In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, Chris Arey speaks with ERP selection consultant Corinna Friebel-Fohrholz (joining from Germany’s highly competitive ERP market) about how to approach selection with more discipline and better outcomes. They cover the most common missteps, how to clarify decision criteria early, and how to focus requirements on what truly differentiates the organization, including industry-specific needs, regulatory considerations, and future growth plans.

    The conversation also walks through a practical way to move from a long list to a manageable shortlist, structure vendor demos around consistent real-world scenarios, and involve users appropriately while keeping decision ownership clear.

    If you are preparing to evaluate ERP options, this episode offers a grounded framework for choosing with confidence and avoiding costly surprises later.

    32 min
  • Making ERP Success Visible

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    ERP success often happens quietly. When the system runs smoothly, it blends into the background, even though the journey to get there is full of effort, decisions, and change. In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, ERP advisor Cindy Vindasius joins to discuss how teams can bring those wins to the surface.

    Cindy shares real-world stories about why preparedness is rarely what people think it is, why "Phase Zero" work creates the foundation for everything that follows, and how experience, resources, and process shape the outcome of every ERP initiative. She also dives into the people side of transformation, from navigating resistance to recognizing the small, meaningful victories along the way.

    If you are planning, leading, or supporting an ERP project, this conversation will help you understand how to make success visible, appreciated, and shared across your organization.

    31 min
  • Infor Velocity Suite, Up Close & Personal

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    After strong listener feedback on our first look at the Infor Velocity Suite, we’re back to dig deeper into how organizations are putting it to work.

    In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, RPI Partner Richard Leigh Stout returns to discuss real-world use cases of process mining and automation—the Velocity components delivering the most immediate value for CloudSuite users. Stout shares how these tools enhance discovery, support continuous improvement, and go far beyond the idea of Velocity as just an AP automation solution.

    The conversation also looks ahead to AI agents and the evolving role of intelligent automation in ERP. If you’re wondering where to start with Velocity Suite or how to build momentum in your optimization journey, this one’s for you.

    31 min
  • What Great ERP Projects Have in Common

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    Every organization has heard the horror stories. ERP projects that spiral out of scope, stretch budgets, and leave teams questioning the value. But the great ones? They look quite different. In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, Nick Foy of Silverdale and Melissa Olson of RPI share what makes ERP projects successful and how consultants and clients can get there together.

    They explore the mechanics of real success: clear processes, the right tools, full adoption, and ongoing accountability. The conversation also dives into the human side of implementation—how to handle scope challenges, set honest expectations, and rebuild trust in an industry that’s lost it. Nick and Melissa share lessons from years of ERP “rescue missions,” what they’ve learned about transparency and pricing models, and why the best projects are always built on shared ownership.

    Whether you’re leading digital transformation or planning for one, this episode offers a candid look at how to turn complex ERP initiatives into lasting success stories, and what every great project has in common.

    40 min
  • Behind the Badge: How Infor WFM Powers Law Enforcement

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    Two decades ago, federal law enforcement officers had to line up at shared terminals just to check their timesheets. Today, with Infor Workforce Management, those same tasks happen instantly on a phone. Brett Taylor, Senior WFM Consultant at RPI, joins host Chris Arey to trace that transformation and explain why modern WFM is becoming a game-changer for police, first responders, and other types of law enforcement.

    From the early days of WorkBrain to the cloud-based, mobile-first platform Infor offers today, Brett shares how WFM helps agencies handle complex pay rules, union agreements, and 24/7 scheduling demands, all while reducing errors and improving morale. He also breaks down strategies for winning leadership and frontline buy-in, managing change effectively, and embracing continuous adoption for long-term success.

    If your organization is considering workforce management, or you’re already invested in the Infor ecosystem, this conversation will give you a front-row look at what’s possible.

    30 min
  • Building Trust in Public Sector Expense Management

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    Public sector organizations face unique challenges when it comes to managing expenses. Strict regulations, heavy approval chains, and lingering paper-based processes often slow down reporting and create frustration for employees and auditors alike.

    In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, XM Consultant Rich Mitchell highlights the roadblocks that keep governments, universities, and other publicly funded institutions from modernizing, and how digital solutions can help.

    Stick around as we discuss strategies for easing the transition away from paper, designing workflows that prevent mistakes, and building confidence in automated controls. Using Infor XM as a central example, we also examine how the right system can reduce audit risk, simplify compliance, and cut approval times without sacrificing oversight.

    If you're considering a more modern expense management solution, you won't want to miss this episode.

    35 min
  • The Prep Work That Makes or Breaks a Cloud Move

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    Moving to the cloud is exciting, but it’s also a big lift. And the way you prepare shapes how successful the project will be. That’s the focus of this episode of RPI Tech Connect, where host Chris Arey sits down with Ken Foley, VP of the Infor Practice at RPI, to talk through the prep work that makes all the difference once a migration kicks off.

    They dig into the questions every team should ask early, from figuring out what functionality you really need, to deciding between a phased or big bang rollout, to planning how data and tenants will be handled along the way. Ken also shares stories from real projects, lessons learned, and practical advice to help you head into a cloud implementation with confidence.

    If you’re considering a move to the cloud or your project is already underway, this conversation is a roadmap for starting smart and finishing strong.

    34 min
  • The Governance Factor: Putting Healthcare’s Back-Office Data to Work

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    Healthcare has no shortage of data—but using it to actually improve patient outcomes is another story. In this episode of RPI Tech Connect, John Lynn, founder of Healthcare IT Today, explains why better data governance is the missing link.

    From staffing and supply chain to finance and HR, John shares how back-office data directly shapes the patient experience. He and host Chris Arey also explore the rise of AI medical scribes, the challenges of interoperability, and what separates organizations that just put out fires from those that build lasting change.

    38 min

About RPI Tech Connect

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RPI Tech Connect brings you real conversations with the people implementing ERP and workforce technology every day. Host Chris Arey talks cloud migrations, change management, and what's working across…