Flipbook: It's Time to ERP Differently

IT’S TIME TO

ERP DIFFERENTLY

STRATEGY BRIEF

> Moving beyond stand-in coverage pg. 3

> Heading off performance issues pg. 4

> Getting back on track, post upgrade pg. 5

> Migrating or modernizing platforms with confidence pg. 6

> Returning your focus to innovation pg. 7

> Enabling the business and driving revenue with native functionality

pg. 8

> Engaging winning resources pgs. 9, 10

What’s next for your JD Edwards Environment?

It’s true—JD Edwards is working hard every day in your organization and is

likely indispensable. But let’s be candid. Post-upgrade or staying the course,

JD Edwards remains complex to manage and full of untapped potential for

many. With many other priorities now tugging at you, where will you focus

your resources? There has never been a better time—strategically or cost

effectively—to explore your JD Edwards management options.

Move Away from Coverage-as-Usual:

It’s a classic scenario. You may be asking a server or network admin to cover JD

Edwards, providing some training to get them started as a stand-in sys admin.

We understand—JD Edwards is, after all, only one enterprise application among

many supported by IT. Your focus is on the season (overall IT strategy)—not the

game. A JD Edwards expert is better positioned to help you fully realize benefits

and see the big picture of ongoing fine tuning and strategy while you tend to all

the business needs.

Head Off Performance Issues:

A common ERP curve ball can be persistent performance issues. Why?

> Proper architecting and configuration is often overlooked at the expense of

functionality and customizations. A little fine tuning can go a long way.

> Application performance problems often lead back to the database, which can

be the nastiest of bottlenecks—and the most difficult to find amongst log files,

code, and architecture. Senior DBAs have virtually seen it all and can ultimately

help save you time and money when considering opportunity costs.

> Testing of applications and systems can often be overlooked, delayed,

delegated to untrained resources, or eliminated entirely. End-to-end

performance and scalability testing for JD Edwards—whether it’s pre-

deployment, in-stream, or on a periodic basis—can help you predict and resolve

problem spots.

Get Back on Track:

If you’ve recently completed an upgrade, you know how all-consuming the

process can be for some resources, while other resources are sidelined and

refocused until the project is complete up to six months later. The return to

business-as-usual can be a bit challenging. JD Edwards needs typically go

beyond pure “CNC” capabilities or bundles of outsourced help desk hours— post-

upgrade and beyond. Senior-level experts who understand your JD Edwards

environment and business needs help ensure ongoing strategic management to

get you back on track and save money.

Migrate or Modernize with Confidence:

If you’re still relying on investments in legacy platforms to support ERP, you’re not

alone. IT organizations everywhere still trust these platforms, but are

acknowledging the need for a change—whether it’s to save time and resources or

move away from a decommissioned system, e.g., IBM iSeries V5R4.

> If support for your current platform is no longer available, you may choose to

migrate to a newer version of that platform, given the trust you’ve developed

in that solution over the years.

> If digital demands or changing business models are pushing for new

functionality, you might modernize your infrastructure through private cloud, a

SaaS solution, or a hybrid-ERP solution (slowly stepping into the cloud,

module by module).

Working with a provider who understands your applications, your platform, and

your evolving business goals will be crucial to making the game-winning pass.

Focus on Innovation and Information:

Data isn’t just growing. It’s taking on new life, becoming more than static

financials, inventory snapshots, HR records, or purchasing activity. Data is

becoming mobile, multidimensional, and interconnected—a strategic business

asset in its own right—capable of driving revenue and gleaning efficiencies

that might not have been previously apparent. IDC estimates that the digital

universe will surpass 40 zettabytes by 2020, which is 57 times the number of

all the grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. That’s some heavy lifting,

to say the least. So, while ERP remains critical, cloud, MDM, better business

intelligence, visual analytics, reporting—and many other demands—are now

going to take some extra muscle to support. Could it be time to offload your

JD Edwards environment to a provider you can trust while you focus on

innovation?

Enable the Business and Drive Revenue:

JD Edwards remains an ERP powerhouse, releasing hundreds of enhancements

in the last few years alone and offering complex business applications across

80 modules. Many organizations are finding that with planning and

development, they can take their JD Edwards upgrade to the end zone by

tapping into native functionality. With later versions of JD Edwards, you can

implement powerful views to suit all stakeholders, faster performing

applications, sophisticated native reporting, mobile capabilities, user friendly

functionality to reduce end-user requests, and smarter configurations for

greater efficiency—just to name a few possibilities.

Meet the team.

Using proven methodologies, ManageForce™ helps sustain maximum value from JD Edwards,

improve operational efficiencies, ensure business continuity, increase productivity, and protect IT

investments.

> We have consulted on, supported, or managed hundreds of JD Edwards installations.

> Fifty percent of the ManageForce team is comprised of former Oracle employees, and we are

an Oracle Gold Partner.

> We have been recognized as a Global Top 100 managed IT services provider, based on number

of devices/seats managed and total managed IT services revenue.

> Every ManageForce team member has 10+ years of experience.

> A senior-level, technical program manager is dedicated to each customer to help ensure

success.

> We have built a complete portfolio of JD Edwards support, development, and maintenance

services to help you take the next step—whether it’s a full upgrade, managed services, or some

fine-tuning and configuration.

> We support JD Edwards customers:

• With locations in every global region, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and

Latin America

• Across virtually every industry, such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing and distribution,

transportation, automotive, real estate, government, public sector, and higher education

• Of all sizes—from SMB to global enterprises—with an approach that offers consistent

commitment and care

What’s next?

Contact us—we’re ready to help!

630.592.8648

[email protected]

© 2013 ManageForce Corporation.

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JD EDWARDS RESOURCE

CENTER