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The smartest - GOLD - middle ground between 'all-in-one' and tool spaghetti
Do you recognize this?
You start with one good system to keep things organized. Then you add an extra tool for something just outside the scope. Then a link with your accounting package. A separate app for planning. Then something for HR. Before you know it, your digital landscape is no longer a tightly organized city, but an expanding metropolis of systems, links and interfaces.
Many organizations are getting to this point:
Do you opt for one integrated system that can do everything, or rather for multiple specialized tools that each do their own job?
Both choices seem logical. But in practice, each scenario brings its own pitfalls.
So the question is not whether to choose one system or several.
The real question is: how do you keep governance over the complexity that inevitably arises?
That's what this blog is about.
Choosing smartly between specialist and generalist - this is how to build a powerful IT landscape
In nature it has worked for centuries: some species are super-specialists - like ants, for example, others are generalists - like, for example ... humans! And both strategies have their place. So it is also in your IT environment.
An ERP system offers the promise of overview: everything in one. From HR to finance, from sales to planning. But do you really use everything? Or are you left with functions that have never really been “turned on,” that are really being worked with - but are running in updates, performance and management?
On the other hand: specialized tools are often brilliant at just one task. They are fast, (hopefully) user-friendly and precisely tailored to their purpose. But combine a few and you get links, interfaces, APIs, middleware ... And with that: extra management.
The real art? Not choosing between black or white. But understanding what really benefits your organization. And above all: who is in charge of it all. Because if you know which puzzle you are putting together, it is much easier to choose the right pieces - and to keep them in place.
Dealing cleverly with 'standard' - how to avoid customization while getting exactly what you need
Standard software sounds ideal: quickly deployable, proven and efficient. But the reality is often just a little more unruly. After all, your organization works differently than “the average customer” - simply because that average customer doesn't exist.
Still, that doesn't mean you always have to go deep into the customization jungle. The art lies in choosing smartly: looking for tools that are already naturally close to your processes. Or setting up systems in such a way that customization is limited to what makes your organization truly unique.
Do you work with an ERP system? Then it pays to take a critical look at which functions you really need - and how to prevent every deviation from becoming an expensive adjustment. Do you use several specialized tools? Then you can often limit customization to one link or specific extension.
The good thing is: if you know in advance where you need flexibility, you can keep the rest standard. That saves costs, risk and maintenance. This way you keep control of your landscape - without making concessions to what makes your organization special.
The smart GOLD middle ground - keeping governance with a smart combination
So do you have to choose between one comprehensive ERP system or a jumble of separate tools? Fortunately, no. Between the all-in-one generalist and the jumble of specialized tools lies a third way: a lightweight ERP system as the central backbone, supplemented by smart specialized solutions only where they really add value.
In this setup, the ERP system provides structure, overview and governance. Think of master data, reports, central planning or process monitoring. It is the conductor of the system landscape - not the musician who plays each instrument himself. For processes such as production control, time recording, invoicing or accounting, you choose smart, specialized tools that perfectly fit your way of working.
The result: Fewer links and fewer systems. But the right solutions in the right place. You avoid having to fit the entire company into one cumbersome ERP straitjacket while keeping a grip on the architecture. All without compromising on flexibility. In this hybrid approach, the power lies in making conscious choices: what do you want to organize centrally and where can you deviate from the standard? What should fit optimally with the work process and where is standard 'good enough'. What real value do the choices deliver?
And the best part is: this works. It is not just theory, we see this in our daily practice. This thoughtful combination - optimization in optima forma - works best. Companies that opt for this simplicity, without rigid standardization, retain grip and agility - and really use their IT landscape as a strategic advantage.
Finally, keep the reins in your own hands
Whether you choose one integrated system, a collection of specialized tools or a clever combination in between - one thing is crucial: you should be in control. It's tempting to leave the entire process to a vendor or implementation partner, but in doing so, you also relinquish control. And that's exactly what you don't want (and where things go wrong far more often than you'd like).
You and your organization are unique. You know exactly what is important, where the bottlenecks are and where the opportunities and challenges lie. A good supplier thinks along, but is not in a position to set the course. Make sure you stay in control - technically and functionally.
Would you like to spar about your situation? Or do you need a fresh look at your current system landscape? Then I cordially invite you to schedule an informal meeting with me. Just exchange ideas - without a sales pitch. So that you can make the right choices with confidence.