The Insider - February 2025 | News and Insights from Our Expert Advisors
In this February round up, we cover:??
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Navigating AI Ethics and Legislation in Your IT Contracts with Sarah Alt
Podcast by John Belden and Kylie Chisholm
AI ethics and legislation are evolving fast, and if your contracts aren’t keeping up, you could be exposing your business to major risks. In this episode, John and Kylie sat down with Sarah Alt, Chief Process and AI Officer at Michael Best, for an eye-opening conversation about the rapidly changing landscape of AI laws, ethical considerations, and what IT buyers and vendors need to know.?
?From Wisconsin’s groundbreaking AI legislative study to the global reach of the EU AI Act, this episode is packed with crucial insights for IT leaders. Plus, Sarah reveals her top three must-know strategies for evaluating AI-driven solutions. Watch the episode now.
How to Master Your Oracle Negotiations: Actionable Tips As We Approach Oracle’s Year End
Podcast by John Belden , Kylie Chisholm , Jeffrey Lazarto , and Shane Griffin
Oracle’s year end is just a few months away so our expert Advisors joined the podcast to share their top tips to gain leverage and master your upcoming Oracle negotiations.?
Strategic Considerations for SAP Customers Approaching End of Support Deadlines
Blog by Tanya Lutsyuk
For those of you on S/4HANA releases 1709, 1809, and 1909, extended maintenance will end on December 31, 2025. This post breaks down your options once mainstream or extended maintenance expire along with the risks, benefits, and cost implications of each.??
Customers are often unaware of these options and SAP is generally not eager to disclose this information when their priority and focus remains on leveraging the end of support dates to drive customers to the cloud. Read more to make an informed decision before the deadline sneaks up.
[Live Webinar] Phase 0 Done Right: Set Foundation for a Successful SAP Implementation
Rushing into an SAP implementation without a solid foundation is a recipe for cost overruns and delays. Join our upcoming webinar to learn how a?disciplined, strategic approach to this Phase 0 can minimize risk, enhance vendor relationships, and set the stage for a?high-impact, cost-effective SAP implementation. Save your seat.
Avoiding ERP Implementation Failure: Common Risks and How to Manage Them
Blog by Sam Bayaa
ERP initiatives are inherently risky. While businesses focus on the promise of digital transformation, they often underestimate the challenges involved. Transformation success requires not just identifying potential obstacles in ERP implementations but also developing a clear strategy to mitigate them throughout the process. Learn how to manage the risks associated with ERP implementations.?
Spot the AI?
How sharp is your AI-spotting ability? Put your skills to the test with two images—one real and one AI-generated. See the answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
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Mohawk Industries’ ERP Go-Live: Understanding the Risks and Costs of Failure
Blog by John Belden
Mohawk Industries’ recent ERP go-live disaster is a cautionary tale for anyone leading a major implementation. From inventory chaos to significant revenue hits, this failure underscores the real risks of underestimating complexity. Learn what went wrong, what it cost them, and how you can avoid the same fate.
Point–Counterpoint on Phase 0: A Balanced Perspective to Your Digital Transformation
Blog by Theodore (Ted) R.
The ERP community is divided on the value of Phase 0—some see it as a crucial foundation, while others view it as an unnecessary delay. This blog breaks down both sides of the debate. Learn why some opt to skip this foundational step (and the risks of doing so) and the value of getting Phase 0 right.?
[On-Demand Webinar] SAP Transformations: Master RISE Negotiations and Counter SAP’s Growing Leverage
Missed Tuesday's live webinar? Watch the recording to gain:?
?IT Vendor Watch
?Recent vendor news you can't afford to miss
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Image 2 was AI generated. Test your eye for AI in our next edition of the UpperEdge Insider!