Enterprise Process Improvement (EPI) Software:
Customer and Software Vendor Collaboration
Joseph J. Strub - August 16, 2004

Introduction

So you have just completed implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package and you think you're set for the next five years--and I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I want to sell you. Once a year (or more frequently if you have really angered the software gods), the vendor issues a new release. With the new release come promises of new functionality, better performance, or incorporation of technological advances. Should you install the new release? Is it worth it? What will happen if you don't? Can you defer the decision for a year or two? What are your options?..