Blog

IT Trends 2024: Security, AI, and Hybrid ERP

Posted by Larry Dube

What trends are shaping IT strategy in 2024?

In our experience supporting ERP software (and the hardware it runs on) for a variety of manufacturing and distribution organizations, many businesses are looking to elevate the capabilities of their business-critical technology while retaining as much flexibility as possible.

Tags: Business Process Optimization, Operational Excellence, erp trends

Re-Focusing on Long Term IT Strategy in 2022

Posted by Larry Dube

2022 appears set to be a crossroads for many organizations. The past two years have been incredibly challenging for businesses, including a rapid shift to remote work, unprecedented supply chain crises, and more. We continue to be inspired by the extraordinary adaptability we saw from our clients in response. While the COVID crisis is by no means over, we have seen more and more organizations become well-adjusted to this “new normal.” 

Tags: Extending ERP System Life, IBM i Modernization, Operational Excellence

What exactly is Operational Excellence?

Posted by Dave Kravitt, CPIM


Many business professionals talk about "operational excellence", but few understand that it actually consists of several elements that must be successfully implemented and integrated to be successful. If you ask a dozen business professionals to define Operational Excellence, you’ll get a dozen different answers, such as “it’s about process quality and making perfect parts every time,“ or “it’s applying lean tools everywhere to eliminate waste.” Perhaps one of the best definitions I’ve seen is also one of the simplest, from business consulting firm Duggan Associates: “It is when each and every employee can see the flow of value to the customer and fix that flow when it breaks down.” 

Tags: Managed Services, Operational Excellence