10 ERP Software Selection Risks Leaders Should Never Ignore
ERP implementation failures are often blamed on poor training, weak adoption, or implementation execution. In reality, many ERP problems begin much earlier during software selection and generally do not usually appear at once. They tend to build throughout the process, starting with incomplete requirements, limited stakeholder involvement, and weak operational understanding. Those early gaps then influence vendor demonstrations, scoring, implementation planning, cost assumpti
John Hannan
10 min read
Planning your next ERP move as Epicor On Premise support winds down
Epicor announced final release dates for On Premises. Epicor customers can either move to Epicor Cloud or use this moment to evaluate ERP options and choose the best fit for their operating model.
John Hannan
2 min read
Mid-Market Manufacturing ERP Software Selection Guide 2026
How should a mid‑market manufacturer actually choose ERP? This 2026 field guide starts on the plant floor, turning routings, WIP, quality, and costing into clear selection criteria. Then it shows how to run scripted demos with your own jobs and items, use objective fit‑gap scoring, and avoid pitfalls like bad labor reporting, UoM conversions, and fragile scheduling. The goal is simple – pick a manufacturing ERP system that holds up under real load.
John Hannan
9 min read
ERP software selection and implementation challenges for growing manufacturers and distributors
Growing manufacturers and distributors often discover that ERP risk is created long before go-live. This article breaks down the most common failure points in ERP software selection and implementation and explains how leaders can pressure-test assumptions, protect scope, and build a system foundation that supports scalable operations.
John Hannan
4 min read
12 must‑have capabilities in 2026 for a CDMO ERP selection
Based on our life sciences experience supporting outsourced operators, including contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO) and contract research organizations (CRO), this guide summarizes the ERP software selection requirements vendors must prove, demo, and document.
John Hannan
6 min read
Understanding ERP Selection Roles: Perspective, Expertise, and Where Bias Can Influence Decisions
ERP can deliver meaningful business value, but the path to getting there is often more complex than leadership expects. One reason is that ERP decisions involve multiple participants with different expertise, responsibilities, and perspectives.
John Hannan
4 min read
ERP selection and validation in FDA‑regulated companies (CSV & 21 CFR Part 11)
Most teams treat validation after vendor choice—backwards. This guide shows how to bake CSV and 21 CFR Part 11 into ERP selection: translate URS into measurable criteria, compare vendors on audit trails, e‑signatures, and role security, and outline a pragmatic VMP with risk‑based IQ/OQ/PQ. The goal is selection that stands up in audit and in operations—no bolt‑on validation scramble later.
John Hannan
6 min read
Life Sciences ERP Software Selection 2026 Buyer’s Guide for validated environments (GxP‑ready)
Choosing ERP in a validated environment is different. This 2026 buyer’s guide shows how to evaluate life sciences ERP through a GxP lens—Part 11 e‑signatures, audit trails, QA release, lot/expiry traceability, and LIMS/QMS/EDMS integrations. Get selection criteria, a weighted scorecard, and five scripted demos to run with your data so your shortlist is CSV‑ready before contracts.
John Hannan
6 min read
A Practical ERP Software Selection Playbook for Confident, Defensible Decisions
Software selection becomes risky when decisions hinge on demos instead of evidence. This guide shows how to structure selection with clear criteria, weighted scorecards, scripted day-in-the-life demos, integration and data checks, and TCO analysis. Built from 25+ years of running selections across manufacturing, distribution, and life sciences, it’s a vendor-neutral playbook for confident and defensible decisions that hold up on go-live day.
John Hannan
7 min read
FDA ERP Validation Checklist & Templates for 21 CFR Part 11
Learn how to validate an ERP system for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and GxP without bloating scope. This guide shows a risk‑based path through IQ/OQ/PQ, the exact Part 11 controls to prove (e‑signatures, audit trails, timeouts, lockouts), and the evidence auditors expect for backup and restore. Includes concise test snippets you can copy and a downloadable checklist, risk traceability matrix, and test‑case template to accelerate your project. Useful for NetSuite, SAP, and D365 in regu
John Hannan
5 min read
ERP Selection Considerations for a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO)
Selecting ERP for a CDMO requires proof, not promises. Use these CDMO demo tests and implementation watch outs to choose a platform that holds up in execution, audit, and program profitability.
John Hannan
4 min read
Considerations for Your Business When Selecting a New ERP System
Most organizations expect an ERP system to support the business for seven to ten years or longer, which makes the selection process a strategic decision rather than a simple software purchase.
John Hannan
9 min read
Comprehensive ERP Solutions for Life Sciences Companies Meeting Needs and Regulatory Requirements
Life sciences organizations, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, benefit from ERP platforms that are designed and implemented for regulated operations. The right ERP helps teams run core workflows such as purchasing, inventory, production scheduling, quality, and compliance with consistent controls, reliable traceability, and decision ready visibility.
John Hannan
5 min read
ERP Stakeholders and Their Role in Software Selection and Implementation
ERP touches the core of the business. When stakeholder input is too narrow, companies often select systems based on polished demonstrations, executive preference, vendor familiarity, or incomplete requirements.
John Hannan
9 min read
Aligning ERP Design to Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) Serialization and Traceability
The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) is pushing the industry toward an interoperable, electronic way to identify and trace certain prescription drugs at the package level as they move through the supply chain.
John Hannan
4 min read
Understanding 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance when selecting a new ERP System
21 CFR Part 11 must provide complete documentation of process controls, record and data integrity safeguards, accuracy assurances, and user authentication and authorization processes.
John Hannan
4 min read
How to Accomplish FDA Validation for ERP Software
Implementing ERP software for GxP processes into an FDA-regulated business or organization requires FDA validation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that certain technologies used in the manufacturing and storing of products, such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, be validated before they are released to the market. Whether you are implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) , Oracle NetSuite or another capable ERP system, the principles of FDA Validatio
John Hannan
5 min read
ERP Guidance to Help Life Sciences Companies Reduce Recall Risk and Improve Product Quality
Recall readiness is not a single feature. It is the ability to detect an issue, contain it quickly, and prove what happened with an audit ready trail.
John Hannan
3 min read
7 Steps To Choosing the Right ERP Software
These steps are designed to help leadership teams evaluate options objectively, involve the right stakeholders, compare vendors consistently, and select a solution that supports both where the business is today and the capabilities needed to support future growth.
John Hannan
6 min read