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In the current economic downturn, enterprise software continues to be critical to the survival of many businesses. Enterprise software at its best is where businesses marry advanced business processes with advanced technology to gain a competitive edge. Andrew Mcafee, Harvard Business School, in discussing enterprise software of the Charlie Rose show with Leo Apotheker (SAP) make a good analogy between enterprise software and factories. Mr. Mcafee said to the effect that any business can buy a modern factory just like they can buy enterprise software, but it is how they use it that counts. If the business processes that are executed are flawed, the factory (or software) is of little use. In fact, it may kill the business.

How important is “PMI certified” when selecting a project manager for an enterprise software implementation?

Project Management Institute (PMI) certification can be a distinguishing criteria when deciding between two project managers with the same experience. PMI certification should never be an absolute requirement for someone to be the lead on an enterprise software implementation.

PMI certification provides great tools and processes to be a great project manager, but it does not certify that person will be a great project manager. The best assurance that a project manager will be a success is that he or she has a successful successful track record in managing like projects.

Prior to 2001 it seem like every year there was a new, emerging technology that was revolutionizing the supply chain industry. Technologies included RFID, PDAs / scanners, voice, GPS, wireless, data communications, internet, and so on. Now the challenge is synchronizing all this data from all these different technologies.

The last couple of years I have worked in the area of B2B communications and just recently came back to implementing supply chain solutions. My biggest surprise is that I see no new enabling technologies, just better use of the technologies that were already out there.

On the other hand, there are some interesting, new areas and trends. One area of growth is what I would call data synchronization. Here IT companies are enabling businesses and supply chains to synchronize their data to get better information.

This is why Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system providers (SAP, Oracle, and so on) have gobbled up Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Transportation Management System (TMS) software providers the last couple of years. ERP providers are intent on having their software retain and synchronize their customer’s supply chain data.

Value Added Networks (VAN) and manage file transfer providers (nuBridges, SterlingCommerce, AXWAY, and so on) have definitely jumped on the data synchronization bandwagon. They are now moving from being Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and communications service providers to providing supply chain software and data synchronization services. VANs and Manage File Transfer providers are intent on having their software and services retain and synchronize their customer’s supply chain data. Data synchronization services are emerging to include matching Purchase Order (PO)-Advance Shipping Notice (ASN)-Invoice data, electronic catalog, and even trade network services.