Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

blogs.zdnet.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 21 posts

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#11

Post by edw519 »

pchristensen wrote: post #9
mkrigsman wrote: post #3

It's not just ERP. Enterprise software in general is considered "not sexy". However, when you consider the percentage of the world's economy that flows through these systems, they are massively important. Michael Krigsman http://blogs.zdnet.com/projectfailures

I think the reason enterprise isn't "sexy" is that it doesn't get chosen based on quality. It isn't bought by the people that use it, it isn't chosen by technical people that can appreciate differences, heck, it isn't chosen based on likelihood of success, etc, etc, etc. Because of this, software excellence isn't rewarded and so those that can produce excellent software go elsewhere. The market for it is broken and e…

True at the Fortune 1000 level. Not so true at many midsize and small businesses. These guys HATE buying enterprise software, but in many cases feel they have no choice. That's changing. Just like microcomputers ate at the underbelly of IBM's mainframe lock 25 years ago, web apps are poised to do the same thing to enterprise software now. And in both cases, the change happens at smaller companies, where I intend to be. The giant dinosaurs are the last to adopt.

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#13

Post by pchristensen »

edw519 wrote: post #8
projectileboy wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The opportunity would be golden if you were competing against other hackers. But you're not. You're competing against other companies' sales forces. And if you think you're ready to go head-to-head against the sales forces of IBM, Oracle, SAP, etc. etc., then you may be in for a very bad-tasting dish of reality. Having said that, if you can succeed, then there are millions of people using unbelievably crappy software…

"think you're ready to go head-to-head against the sales forces of IBM, Oracle, SAP" Been there. Done that. For certain customers (mostly midmarket), it's like shooting fish in a barrel. Accountable people in small to medium size businesses see right through the B.S. and are desperate for alternatives. I wouldn't even attempt to sell to a Fortune 1000 bureaucracy. "millions of people using unbelievably crappy softwar…

I'd like to hear more about what you're doing. I shot you an email.

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#14

Post by edw519 »

pchristensen wrote: post #13
edw519 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"think you're ready to go head-to-head against the sales forces of IBM, Oracle, SAP" Been there. Done that. For certain customers (mostly midmarket), it's like shooting fish in a barrel. Accountable people in small to medium size businesses see right through the B.S. and are desperate for alternatives. I wouldn't even attempt to sell to a Fortune 1000 bureaucracy. "millions of people using unbelievably crappy softwar…

I'd like to hear more about what you're doing. I shot you an email.

Got your email. Thank you. A couple things you said really got me to thinking. So I'm putting a little extra thought into my response, which I'll have sometime later today.

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#15

Post by gibsonf1 »

edw519 wrote: post #2

I know it's not glamorous, but this area is a phenomenal opportunity for today's generation of hackers and painters. ERP is representative of all that is bad (and good!) where business meets IT. Most people tell me I'm nuts to focus on this. I can't wait to prove them wrong.

I agree :)

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#16

Post by ced »

edw519 wrote: post #14
pchristensen wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd like to hear more about what you're doing. I shot you an email.

Got your email. Thank you. A couple things you said really got me to thinking. So I'm putting a little extra thought into my response, which I'll have sometime later today.

I'd be happy to read what you have to say, here or by email.

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#17

Post by edw519 »

ced wrote: post #16
edw519 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Got your email. Thank you. A couple things you said really got me to thinking. So I'm putting a little extra thought into my response, which I'll have sometime later today.

I'd be happy to read what you have to say, here or by email.

Here goes:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=114568

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#18

Post by cstejerean »

projectileboy wrote: post #6
edw519 wrote: post #2

I know it's not glamorous, but this area is a phenomenal opportunity for today's generation of hackers and painters. ERP is representative of all that is bad (and good!) where business meets IT. Most people tell me I'm nuts to focus on this. I can't wait to prove them wrong.

The opportunity would be golden if you were competing against other hackers. But you're not. You're competing against other companies' sales forces. And if you think you're ready to go head-to-head against the sales forces of IBM, Oracle, SAP, etc. etc., then you may be in for a very bad-tasting dish of reality. Having said that, if you can succeed, then there are millions of people using unbelievably crappy software…

Why do you just have to compete against other hackers? I would rather compete against big established businesses that never seem to get anything done than race neck in neck with other smart hackers.

At least you'll manage to annoy one of the existing players and they (or one of their competitors) can buy you out.

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#19

Post by pchristensen »

cstejerean wrote: post #18
projectileboy wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The opportunity would be golden if you were competing against other hackers. But you're not. You're competing against other companies' sales forces. And if you think you're ready to go head-to-head against the sales forces of IBM, Oracle, SAP, etc. etc., then you may be in for a very bad-tasting dish of reality. Having said that, if you can succeed, then there are millions of people using unbelievably crappy software…

Why do you just have to compete against other hackers? I would rather compete against big established businesses that never seem to get anything done than race neck in neck with other smart hackers. At least you'll manage to annoy one of the existing players and they (or one of their competitors) can buy you out.

I guess it depends on the size of the customer. Above a certain size, sales staff becomes more valuable than technical expertise. In that case, you're playing a game you can't win. But if you could bootstrap a reputation and sales force by selling smaller ERP systems, then you could position yourself well.

Re: Firetruck Maker Blames Bankruptcy on Failed ERP Implementation

#20

Post by cstejerean »

pchristensen wrote: post #19
cstejerean wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you just have to compete against other hackers? I would rather compete against big established businesses that never seem to get anything done than race neck in neck with other smart hackers. At least you'll manage to annoy one of the existing players and they (or one of their competitors) can buy you out.

I guess it depends on the size of the customer. Above a certain size, sales staff becomes more valuable than technical expertise. In that case, you're playing a game you can't win. But if you could bootstrap a reputation and sales force by selling smaller ERP systems, then you could position yourself well.

I agree. Hiring a sales team takes money so it's harder than doing something yourself. But once you have a solid sales team (and a solid support team) being agile can help. Large customers always demand new features and being able to rapidly provide what they're looking for is bound to make them happy (and make or break a deal). Once you build a happy customer base the referrals can bring you tons of business.

But I guess you can't take on this kind of work without some serious VC funding which makes it less attractive (you loose control and potential exits).

Post reply on HN