All Posts
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
8 min read
ERP software selection and implementation challenges for growing manufacturers and distributors
Growing manufacturers and distributors often reach a point where legacy systems and spreadsheets can no longer support scale, visibility, or decision making. This article explores common ERP software selection and implementation challenges, why many projects struggle before implementation begins, and what leadership teams should consider to reduce risk and support long-term growth.
John Hannan
3 min read
Inbox Overload: How to Break Through the Noise with Integrated Marketing
Inbox overload has turned most marketing and sales emails into background noise. When attention is limited and outreach is constant, even good messages get deleted. This post explores why communications get lost and how integrated marketing, recipient research, and ABM principles help teams break through and earn real engagement.
Kathy Hannan
3 min read
Unveiling the Power of ABM: Marketing Strategies That Drive 85% Higher ROI
ABM treats each high-value account as a market of one, which is why 85% of companies see higher ROI when they do it well. This post breaks down what ABM is, which attributes to use for account scoring (industry, size, growth, tech readiness, buying structure, and more), and how to turn that into 1:1, 1:few, and 1:many plays. If you sell complex B2B solutions with long buying journeys, ABM can focus your marketing where it matters most.
Kathy Hannan
2 min read
Think of ABM as the Icing on the Cake
A baking analogy that illustrates the importance of a strong marketing foundation for a successful ABM program.
Kathy Hannan
4 min read
CDMO ERP selection - 12 must‑have capabilities for 2026
CDMOs can’t buy ERP like generic process manufacturers. This guide turns 12 must‑have capabilities into a defensible selection: lot genealogy with retained samples, QC sampling and LIMS hand‑off, MRB/quarantine, client‑owned material and pass‑through fees, UDI/eDHR and controlled labeling, stability/EM, equipment gating, and Part 11 with validation accelerators. Use our vendor‑neutral RFP, scripted demos, 1/2/3/4/U scoring, and PRICEFW log to align stakeholders and avoid scop
John Hannan
4 min read
ERP selection for mid‑market manufacturers (200–1,000 employees): how to make a defensible shortlist and lead it to go‑live
If you run a 200–1,000‑person manufacturing company, this guide shows how to pick a defensible ERP: capture requirements, issue an RFP, score vendors with an objective fit/gap model, and run conference‑room‑pilot demos. We cover PLM/MES/QMS integration, multi‑site inventory, serial/lot traceability, PPAP/APQP, and MRP—so you can phase the rollout without disrupting production. Vendor‑neutral, practical, and built from real selections and client‑side implementations.
John Hannan
5 min read
Industrial distribution ERP software selection: shortlist & scorecard
Industrial distribution ERP is won and lost on rebates/SPAs, pricing matrices, WMS depth, and EDI—not glossy demos. This guide shows how to build a defensible shortlist using a weighted scorecard that grades vendors on counter sales, chargebacks, landed cost & container management, inventory accuracy (RF/barcoding), and integration to TMS and EDI (850/855/856/810/846). Use our demo script, scoring model, and contract guardrails to align stakeholders fast and choose a platform
John Hannan
5 min read
Small Manufacturing ERP: how to choose the best fit (not “the best system”)
Searching “best ERP for small manufacturing” won’t give you the right answer—your routing, BOM, costing, scheduling, and compliance drive the fit. This guide shows a practical path: define requirements by industry process, build a focused shortlist (general‑purpose and industry‑specific), script demos against your data, and negotiate contract guardrails. We’ve used this playbook for small manufacturers to land cleaner implementations and lower total cost.
John Hannan
6 min read
Manufacturing ERP Selection: There’s no “best ERP”, only the best fit for your factory
Searching “best manufacturing ERP” won’t pick your system—your requirements will. We help SMB manufacturers define needs (MTO/ETO/discrete/process), run a vendor‑neutral RFP, script apples‑to‑apples demos, score gaps and TCO, and negotiate contract guardrails. Short‑list configurable suites (Acumatica, Epicor, Infor, Microsoft, IFS, NetSuite, Sage) and the right industry ERPs (e.g., metal, apparel, food, DSD). The result: a defensible choice and a cleaner start to implementat
John Hannan
6 min read
ERP consultant vs ERP advisor vs SI— who should lead your selection?
Who should quarterback your ERP selection—independent advisor, consultant, or the SI? This piece explains role clarity, incentives, and risks by industry. Learn how to run scripted, evidence‑based demos, score vendors, and negotiate renewal caps, SLAs, and change‑control. We outline when to bring in an SI, how to keep them accountable, and the core artifacts that carry into implementation.
John Hannan
6 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
4 min read