Practical ERP Consulting, Rooted in Center City Philadelphia
- John Hannan
- Nov 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 24
For manufacturing, distribution & life sciences across Greater Philadelphia
Philadelphia builds things. From shop floors along the I‑95 corridor and Bucks/Montco industrial parks to labs in University City and the Navy Yard, operations here are hands‑on, regulated, and time‑sensitive. John Hannan LLC is based in both Center City Philadelphia and Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, and our ERP consulting model is built for how Philly companies actually run—where a clean plan, accountable vendors, and real‑world cutovers matter more than glossy pitches.
This post recaps what we do, why it fits Philadelphia’s manufacturing, distribution, and life sciences firms, and what to expect on timing and cost—using anonymized outcomes and artifacts from our recent work (RFPs, demo scripts, selection timeline, contracts/SOW reviews, integration plans, and go‑live playbooks).
What we do (actions → results)
ERP Software Selection
Actions - We lead cross‑functional requirements (exec, finance, operations, supply chain, QA/RA), write an apples‑to‑apples RFP, script demos with your data, score what you see, model TCO (licenses + services + ISVs), and negotiate contracts/SOWs.
Why it fits Philly - Mid‑Atlantic firms often need mixed‑mode (make‑to‑order & distribution), union or shift‑based scheduling, and regulated flows. Our selection process forces vendors to prove fit for those realities before you sign.
Results - In one local manufacturing scenario we compressed selection to ~2 months by centering demos on complex order entry and configuration, negotiated a five‑year commercial agreement, and later defended that value at renewal—after the go‑live, the team expanded standard inventory, opened a second warehouse, and improved order accuracy and internal communication. (Client anonymized; details drawn from our case files.)
Client‑Side PMO & Vendor Management
Actions - We run steering, RAID, schedule/budget control, and hold partners to the SOW. When a partner isn’t landing the plane, we escalate with the software vendor or perform a targeted partner change‑out without derailing the program.
Why it fits Philly - Regional teams are lean. Leaders can’t spend every week in vendor status meetings. We’re the single accountable owner on your side.
Results - For a first‑time ERP team, we documented the end‑to‑end order‑to‑cash process, replaced ad‑hoc spreadsheets, and advocated with the software vendor to keep the project on track—positioning the company to scale without 1:1 headcount growth (anonymized manufacturing example).
Process Mapping & Fit‑Gap
Actions - Turn “tribal knowledge” into process maps, SOPs, and control points. Compare requirements vs. licensing footprint and distinguish configure vs. ISV vs. customization.
Why it fits Philly - Many regional plants run on expertise locked in a few heads. We capture it, so the system supports how you actually build, pick, ship, and report.
Results - Teams gain demo scripts that reflect reality and a post‑selection backlog of improvements—so implementation starts with a blueprint, not guesses.
Integrations & Architecture (upgrade‑safe)
Actions - Prefer supported connectors (so upgrades don’t break). Common stack: EDI (often SPS Commerce), DEX for direct‑store‑delivery, scanning/WMS, label printing, tax, payroll (e.g., Gusto), and route/TMS.
Why it fits Philly - Importers via PhilaPort, multi‑warehouse footprints across PA/NJ/DE, and DSD to regional grocers need pre‑built links, not brittle DIY code.
Results - We help distribution teams move from Google Sheets and manual pick tickets to scanners, digital pick lists, route optimization, and VMI—while keeping proven tools for GL and payroll that already work (and modeling the true cost of ISVs up front).
Testing, Training, Go‑Live & Hypercare
Actions - Scenario‑based UAT, cutover runbooks, super‑user enablement, day‑one KPIs, and hypercare until tickets stabilize.
Why it fits Philly - Plants and labs can’t afford a messy cutover. We plan for first‑article success, not a hope‑and‑pray weekend.
Results - Predictable launches and faster user adoption; we don’t disappear when the ribbon is cut.
Rescue & Remediation (Assessments)
Actions - Rapid assessments (often ~3 weeks) compare contract/SOW vs. what’s live, isolate configuration vs. licensing gaps, and prioritize fixes; we also confront vendors when delivery falls short.
Why it fits Philly - If you’re mid‑project and stuck, you need facts, leverage, and a do‑able plan—not a rip‑and‑replace.
Results - Clear priorities and vendor accountability so operations keep moving while we stabilize the system.
Services mapped to Philly’s core industries
Manufacturing (discrete & configure‑to‑order)
What we look for in demos - complex order entry, product configuration, finite capacity scheduling, quality, lot/serial traceability, and strong EDI for OEM customers.
Philadelphia fit - metals, wood products, industrial components, packaging, and specialty food/chemicals across SE‑PA and South Jersey need mixed‑mode control and clean EDI.
Representative outcomes - accelerated selections; negotiated multi‑year terms; warehouse #2 stood up; broader stocked inventory; higher order accuracy (anonymized from our case files).
Distribution & DSD
What we drive - route‑based selling, DEX, scan‑based trading, digital pick tickets, multi‑warehouse replenishment, and SPS Commerce EDI—plus pricing/discount complexity and CRM handoffs.
Philadelphia fit - grocers and regional chains expect DEX and EDI discipline; we select the right ERP + ISVs and keep what already works (e.g., QuickBooks GL, Gusto payroll) when that’s smarter than replacing it.
Life Sciences (biotech, med‑device, radiopharma)
What we insist on - cGMP process discipline, 21 CFR Part 11 e‑sig/e‑records, specs/COAs, lot/expiry, deviations/CAPA, equipment logs, and validated reporting.
Philadelphia fit - from University City up to King of Prussia and down to the Navy Yard, labs and manufacturers need selection and implementation done by people who speak QA/RA and IT—and can get vendors to commit in writing to what’s regulated.
What to expect on timing & cost (so you can plan)
Typical selection timeline - ~4 months (Requirements → RFP → Short List → Scripted Demos → Decision → Contracts).
Selection → go‑live - Commonly 8.5–11 months depending on scope.
Implementation services - Often $150k–$400k for mid‑market programs, driven by integrations and testing scope.
SaaS licensing - Frequently around six figures annually for mixed back‑office + warehouse/users.
Why we publish this - To set credible expectations and protect your budget before you sign.
Why local matters
We’re here - Being Center City means we can be on‑site quickly—Navy Yard floor walk, a supplier‑EDI triage in Northeast Philly, or a steering meeting in King of Prussia.
We know the vendor landscape and use that leverage for you. We are not resellers and take no referral fees—our only bias is toward fit, cost, and risk for your situation.
We bring artifacts, not platitudes - Philadelphia teams see our requirements matrix, demo scripts, vendor scorecards, contract/SOW guardrails, cutover plan, and hypercare checklist on day one.
Anonymized examples from recent work
Custom manufacturer - Sprinted selection (~2 months) around complex order entry; negotiated a five‑year agreement; later defended renewal economics; the platform now supports broader inventory and a second warehouse with improved order accuracy and communication.
Project‑based manufacturer implementing ERP for the first time - Moved from QuickBooks + spreadsheets to a documented order process, advocated with the software vendor, and re‑selected an implementation partner mid‑flight; leadership expects to grow without linear headcount increases.
DSD distributor - Translated requirements into EDI + DEX + scanning + route/TMS architecture; preserved systems that already worked (GL, payroll), and set pragmatic licensing and services expectations.
If you’re a Philadelphia operator needing Center City Philadelphia ERP Consulting
Whether you’re in manufacturing (discrete or process), distribution/DSD, or life sciences, we’ll make your ERP decision—and your go‑live—boringly predictable. You’ll see exactly what vendors can and can’t do for your plant, warehouse, or lab, with contracts and integrations that won’t surprise you six months later.
