In this episode of The ERP Perspective, I sit down with Bret Robinson → one of the leading voices in ERP readiness and the creator of the AI Experts methodology.Bret has helped countless organisations de-risk their ERP programs, and his message is clear:ERP doesn’t fail because of software.It fails because people aren’t prepared to succeed.We talk about why teams need to be educated before the project starts, how AI Experts can boost confidence and decision-making at every level, and why understanding your data early is one of the biggest predictors of ERP success.Bret also shares how businesses can now use AI to analyse their own data, plan their ERP journey, and even receive tailored recommendations on which ERP systems best fit their organisation.If you’re planning an ERP project, leading one, or trying to fix one - this is an episode you’ll want to watch.Follow The ERP Perspective for more episodes and insights.

In this episode of The ERP Perspective, I sit down with Dr James A Robertson.Known across the industry as The ERP Doctor to talk honestly about why so many ERP projects don’t deliver the results organizations expect.James has spent decades fixing failing ERP programs, and his message is straightforward:ERP doesn’t fail because of software. It fails because it isn’t engineered to succeed.We discuss the early warning signs of a “sick” ERP, the leadership behaviors that make the biggest difference, and why CEOs need to be visibly involved if they want the project to succeed. James also explains why ERP should be treated like an engineering discipline, not an IT initiative, and what organizations can do to prevent failure long before go-live.If you’re starting an ERP journey, leading one, or trying to recover from one, this is a conversation worth watching.Follow The ERP Perspective for more episodes and insights.

ERP projects rarely fail because of software or system integrators. Jakob Bent Smed argues that the biggest risk is silence: fear, politics, and a lack of psychological safety that stop teams from speaking up when it matters most.In this episode, we unpack:Why silence is the hidden ERP failure patternWhy Phase 0 is the most critical and most neglected stageHow leaders can build a culture of trust and transparencyThe human side of ERP riskHow to turn silence into strengthWatch, share, comment and join the movement to make ERP projects more human, honest, and successful.

In this episode of The ERP Perspective, we sit down with Judith O’Callaghan, Director and Facilitator of Masterclass with SAP. An industry veteran with 20+ years of experience guiding global ERP programs.Judith brings a powerful message that every transformation leader needs to hear:Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.Most ERP programs fail not because of technology, but because teams rush into implementation before they’re ready.Judith explains why Phase 0, the often-skipped foundation is the moment that defines the entire journey. As outlined in her guest conversation guide, Phase 0 is:The foundation everyone skipsThe place where readiness is testedThe moment to slow down so that everything from design to go-live goes faster, smoother, and with less reworkKey TakeawaysPausing early prevents pain laterPhase 0 is the cheapest part of ERP and the most expensive to skipPrepared teams transform better, faster, and with fewer surprisesERP is ultimately a human journey, not a software rolloutIf you’re an ERP leader, program manager, sponsor, consultant, or part of a transformation team… this is a must-watch conversation.👉 Subscribe for more ERP insights and leadership conversations.

In this new podcast from The ERP Perspective, Alisdair Bach, Global SAP Transformation Leader and Founder of Dragon ERP, breaks down what 5X actually means for customers, SIs, and the wider SAP ecosystem.And here’s the part most people are missing:5X isn’t about forcing S/4 migrations.5X is about unlocking value from the entire installed base → ECC, BW, hybrid, on-prem, cloud… all of it.Alisdair explains how SAP is moving toward:🔸 Suite-First → A unified, modular SAP stack🔸 AI-First → Intelligent microservices layered across all landscapes🔸 Omniverse Thinking → Connecting legacy + current + future SAP in one fabric🔸 Tactical over Big-Bang → Incremental, continuous value not 5-year mega-programsAnd the market impact?▪️ Big SIs lose monopoly power▪️ Boutiques and specialists rise▪️ Brownfield becomes king▪️ AI upcycling replaces rip-and-replaceThis is the part that changes everything...SAP’s future growth depends not on selling more licenses, but on extracting more value with customers, not from them.

Arne doesn’t just talk about transformation. He redefines it.Key insight: Go-live isn’t success, it’s just the start of value.In this episode, Arne explains why the future of ERP leadership means moving from control to orchestration, aligning everyone around:✅ One definition of success✅ One KPI sheet✅ One shared understanding of performanceBecause at the end of the day, it’s not about whether the system works, it’s about whether the business performs better.In this full conversation we explore:🔸 How to shorten hypercare and stabilize faster🔸 Why leadership alignment defines ERP success🔸 How to turn adoption into measurable business performance🔸 The new mindset of orchestration over control

In this episode of The ERP Perspective, Sana Asher shares what truly drives success in SAP and ERP transformations: leadership, communication, and mindset.Drawing from her experience leading global SAP S/4HANA programs and coaching transformation leaders, Sana explains why change management is the missing link between a working system and a thriving organization.This conversation is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone leading transformation; from project managers to executives and aspiring SAP professionals.In This Episode You’ll Learn:✅ Why SAP success depends more on people than process✅ The mindset and leadership traits that define transformation success✅ How to keep teams engaged and aligned through complex ERP change✅ The importance of communication and empathy in digital programs✅ Advice for women and rising SAP professionals entering the industryAbout Sana AsherFounder of SAP Masterclasses, where she helps professionals navigate SAP transformation with confidence and clarity.She’s passionate about bridging the gap between technology and people; empowering organizations to embrace change and make transformation sustainable.About The ERP PerspectiveThe ERP Perspective brings you real conversations with ERP leaders, innovators, and transformation experts redefining how enterprise technology creates value.

Guest: Sam Gupta - Founder & Principal Consultant at ElevatIQ“Don’t start with the system - start with the strategy.” In this episode, Sam Gupta, ERP strategist, podcast host, and industry analyst, joins The ERP Perspective to tackle one of the biggest questions in digital transformation:Should your business go all-in on an ERP suite, or build a best-of-breed ecosystem?Sam brings two decades of experience and over 200 transformation projects to the table, sharing real-world insights on how to define your business model, processes, and enterprise architecture before choosing your next system.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:✅ How to define your business before defining your system✅ The economic and integration trade-offs between ERP and best-of-breed✅ The hidden ROI traps that derail transformation✅ How AI and cloud are reshaping ERP decisions✅ Why clarity beats complexity every timeAbout Sam GuptaSam Gupta is the Founder of ElevatIQ, host of the WBSRocks podcast, and one of North America’s top voices in ERP and digital transformation.With nearly 20 years of experience, Sam has helped more than 200 organizations select, implement, and recover enterprise software projects worth over $100 million in value.About The ERP PerspectiveAt The ERP Perspective, we bring you real conversations with ERP leaders, innovators, and transformation experts shaping the future of enterprise technology.

In this episode of The ERP Perspective, Charlie Shephard reveals how IFS Cloud transformed his business saving time, improving visibility, and empowering smarter decisions through AI-driven insights.From automation and connected operations to the power of AI in the IFS core, Charlie explains how IFS isn’t just helping companies run better it’s helping them work smarter.💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:How IFS Cloud connects every part of your business in real timeHow automation and AI inside IFS unlock efficiency and time savingsWhy IFS’s intelligent core is changing how leaders make decisionsHow connected operations redefine success beyond traditional ERP👤 About Charlie Shephard:Charlie Shephard is a respected voice in the IFS ecosystem, known for his hands-on approach to ERP transformation, AI adoption, and people-first technology.He’s passionate about helping organizations bridge the gap between systems and strategy to build truly intelligent enterprises.🔗 Connect with Charlie:   / charlieshephard  🎧 About The ERP Perspective:The ERP Perspective brings you real stories from ERP leaders, innovators, and transformation experts who are redefining the future of enterprise technology.Just practical insights, real experiences, and the human side of digital transformation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes:👉    / @theerpperspective  

The ERP Perspective → Episode 1 : ERP Reality CheckGuest: Andy Pratico - ERP veteran, educator, and author of “How to Select Your ERP Without Losing Your Mind.” “ERP isn’t broken but how we buy and use it often is.”

In this episode, Andy shares 40+ years of hard-earned wisdom on what really drives ERP success and why so many businesses struggle long before go-live. If you’re evaluating ERP systems or planning a digital transformation, this episode could save you millions in mistakes.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The biggest misunderstanding business leaders have about ERP

✅ Why ERP demos are really sales pitches (and what to look for instead)

✅ The first step every company should take before evaluating vendors

✅ How to balance process improvement and implementation timing

✅ Why culture and leadership often make or break ERP success

About Our Guest: Andy Pratico, known as “The ERP Santa Claus,” has spent over four decades helping small and mid-sized manufacturers select and implement ERP systems successfully. He’s passionate about education-based ERP selection and helping companies find the right system for their unique needs, not just the one that looks best in a demo.

About The ERP Perspective Podcast: At The ERP Perspective, we bring you real conversations with ERP leaders, innovators, and transformation experts shaping the future of enterprise systems. Subscribe for new episodes every week!