WBSRocks: Business Growth with ERP and Digital Transformation

Send us a textThe transformation and Phase 0 planning for SAP ECC are pivotal in setting the stage for a smooth transition to a more agile and future-ready ERP environment. This initial phase focuses on a comprehensive assessment of the existing system landscape, uncovering opportunities for business process enhancements, and crafting a clear strategic roadmap for migration or optimization. Crucial activities include evaluating data readiness, securing stakeholder alignment, and implementing robust governance frameworks to mitigate risks and ensure accountability. The challenge lies in establishing a solid foundation for Phase 0 that minimizes operational disruptions, boosts efficiency, and ultimately maximizes the return on the SAP ECC investment—key considerations for any organization embarking on this critical journey. In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Sana Asher, Global Vice President, Integrity Resource Management, to discuss transformation and phase 0 planning for SAP ECC.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textDespite rumors of SaaS's decline, numerous SaaS companies boasting billion-dollar valuations continue to push innovation, particularly in Payroll and Human Capital Management (HCM). Yet, a paradox emerges as some of these firms, after initially delivering advanced HR features, have rolled back functionality, leaving users disappointed. This raises questions about Personio's rapid rise: Is its success simply a reversion to managed services, signaling a return to the basics, or does it reflect a long-standing gap in the European market for comprehensive HR solutions? In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Personio's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Personio might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Personio.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textERP systems designed for product-centric industries stand out by offering deep, purpose-built capabilities in critical areas such as bill of materials management, shop floor control, warehouse operations, and vendor collaboration. Unlike service-oriented ERPs, which may offer only basic support for procurement or inventory, these platforms are engineered to manage the complexities of direct procurement and end-to-end supply chain workflows. This specialization makes them indispensable for manufacturers, distributors, and businesses dealing in physical goods, where operational precision and integration are key. The systems featured in this list were chosen specifically for their strength in supporting these intricate, product-focused environments, ensuring they deliver the functionality and scalability required to thrive in demanding industrial contexts.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP systems for product-centric industries in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these ERP systems for product-centric industries. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each ERP system for product-centric industries.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe AI-driven enterprise software landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by diverging stakeholder priorities and the evolving demands of real-world applications. While analysts focused on R&D highlight the potential of cutting-edge innovations, those examining implementation underscore the need for usability and measurable ROI. This contrast mirrors broader market tensions—investors push for rapid scale and profitability, whereas customers prioritize seamless integration into established workflows. The shift from traditional transactional systems to AI- and data-first architectures introduces new harmonization challenges, yet certain vendors are gaining traction by leveraging agent-based designs that enhance automation and decision-making. Sectors like financial services and healthcare are leading adoption, drawn by clear efficiency gains, while others continue to grapple with integration complexities. Crucially, the success of AI in the enterprise hinges on thoughtful design—embedding agents that complement human roles and generate immediate, operational value. In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Hyoun Park, CEO, Amalgam Insights, and discusses current market trends in the AI space.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe enterprise technology space is buzzing with bold moves and fresh innovations as major players double down on AI, unified commerce, and real-time data capabilities. Salesforce is making headlines with its planned launch of AI agents and a cloud-based POS for retailers, even as its CEO, Marc Benioff, critiques Microsoft Copilot as a “huge disaster.” Meanwhile, HubSpot's co-founder is gaining traction with Agent.ai, an agentic AI platform that has already amassed 258,000 users in just four months. Retail tech is evolving fast, with commercetools unveiling InStore to redefine unified commerce globally and Rootstock expanding its ERP footprint with Scion for enterprise users. On the M&A front, Clearwater Analytics is acquiring Enfusion for $1.5 billion to accelerate global growth, and Qlik is enhancing real-time data processing through its acquisition of Upsolver. Athos Commerce emerges from the fusion of Searchspring and Klevu, promising smarter retail experiences, while Epicor's new Prism vertical AI agents aim to transform frontline decision-making. Even Apple is joining the race, partnering in a consortium to develop next-gen AI data center technology, highlighting the intensifying competition to shape the future of intelligent enterprise infrastructure.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds, including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendor. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textA major trend shaping the Real-Time Transportation Visibility Platform landscape is the significant variation in platform scope and geographic coverage. While some platforms excel in specific transportation modes—such as ocean freight or truckload—they often fall short in delivering comprehensive insights due to limited modal support or regional data constraints, including gaps in carrier partnerships or geopolitical barriers. For shippers or logistics providers with focused, regional operations, these specialized platforms can still deliver strong value. However, global organizations with complex, multi-modal supply chains require broader RTTVPs that offer unified visibility across diverse transportation networks and regions. This balance between deep specialization and holistic comprehensiveness is a key factor in determining platform rankings and suitability in today's logistics environment.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 real-time transportation visibility platforms in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these real-time transportation visibility platforms. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each real-time transportation visibility platform.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textBPM has undergone a notable transformation, shedding its earlier complexity to become a powerful asset in ad-hoc CRM scenarios, particularly for industries with sophisticated customer engagement needs. While traditional CRMs suffice for straightforward use cases, they often falter when faced with rigid data structures that don't align with complex, customer-centric workflows. In these instances, more flexible CRMs become essential, offering not just a viable alternative but often the only workable solution. The convergence of project management capabilities with sales and marketing processes has further elevated the value of certain CRM platforms, creating a seamless operational flow that gives them a distinct advantage. In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Creatio's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Creatio might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Creatio.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textThe enterprise tech and AI landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, marked by bold investments, leadership changes, and groundbreaking innovations. Mike Ettling's departure from Unit4 prompts reflection on AI's transformative role in ERP, even as companies like Overhaul secure $55 million to tackle persistent supply chain challenges for giants like Dyson and Microsoft. Meanwhile, the personal use of AI is making waves—one individual's AI-assisted job hunt while asleep led to 50 interview calls overnight, underscoring the technology's growing influence in everyday life. Major funding rounds, such as SandboxAQ's $300 million raise, highlight investor confidence in the next generation of AI applications. On the product front, Agentforce 2.0 introduces a vision of digital labor that promises an infinitely scalable workforce, while HubSpot's co-founder launched Agent.ai, attracting over 258,000 users in just four months. Consolidation continues as Arctic Wolf and BlackBerry agree on the acquisition of Cylance, and Grammarly's acquisition of Coda signals a new phase of AI-powered productivity, accompanied by a leadership shift. Amid these developments, Salesforce prepares to launch AI agents and a retail-focused POS system, even as its CEO openly criticizes Microsoft Copilot as a “huge disaster,” adding further intrigue to the unfolding AI arms race.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textSupply chain suites distinguish themselves from traditional ERP and analytics platforms by being specifically designed to meet the intricate needs of supply chain-intensive industries. These industries depend on tightly integrated processes that span forecasting, procurement, logistics, and fulfillment, requiring systems that prioritize supply chain performance rather than treating it as an ancillary function. Supply chain suites address this by offering a unified architecture that blends network planning, execution systems like WMS and TMS, and advanced analytics. This specialized focus enables organizations to enhance agility, minimize lead times, and build resilient, responsive supply chains. In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 supply chain suites in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these supply chain suites. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each supply chain suite.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textCRMs designed for the education sector, especially within public institutions and universities, must navigate a complex landscape of fragmented workflows and diverse stakeholders, from students and faculty to alumni and administrators. These organizations often require more than what traditional CRM systems can offer, particularly when managing academic programs, course operations, and dynamic communication channels. The complexity intensifies further with upstream processes like student recruitment and onboarding, which demand highly tailored workflows that generic CRMs frequently fail to accommodate. In this specialized environment, LeadSquared has positioned itself as a strong player with its education-centric CRM offerings. However, the real question lies in how well it measures up to competitors and whether it can truly meet the evolving needs of this multifaceted sector.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of LeadSquared's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where LeadSquared might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of LeadSquared.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textThe enterprise software and services landscape is experiencing a wave of strategic acquisitions, signaling aggressive moves by major players to expand capabilities and market share. Thomson Reuters' $600 million acquisition of tax automation firm SafeSend highlights the growing demand for streamlined financial compliance solutions, while HubSpot's purchase of Frame AI underscores the rising importance of AI-driven conversational insights in customer engagement. Meanwhile, WWT's blockbuster $1.25 billion deal to acquire Softchoice points to broader consolidation in IT services, and SPS Commerce's move to acquire Carbon6 Technologies reflects continued investment in retail and supply chain tech. Other notable transactions include Cass Information Systems acquiring AcuAudit from Acuitive Solutions, enhancing its audit automation offerings, and Later's $250 million acquisition of Mavely, a social influencer app, emphasizing the value of creator economy tools in modern marketing strategies.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textSupply chain business networks distinguish themselves through the varying scopes and functionalities they offer across the operational landscape. Some platforms concentrate primarily on logistics and transportation, delivering strong real-time visibility solutions, while others take a more comprehensive approach by integrating upstream and downstream partners such as vendors, suppliers, and customers into a collaborative ecosystem. Notably, certain networks that originally emphasized document exchange have transformed into powerful hubs for data-driven insights and supplier onboarding, capitalizing on their expansive user communities. The extent of integration and geographic reach further separates these platforms—some boast extensive global infrastructure and port access, whereas others focus on specific regions. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 supply chain business network platforms in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these supply chain business network platforms. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each business network platform.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textImplementing a robust automated testing strategy for SAP S/4HANA is essential for maintaining system integrity during upgrades, integrations, and performance enhancements. Effective strategies must prioritize end-to-end testing that encompasses core business processes, custom configurations, and third-party integrations to ensure complete coverage. By automating these tests, organizations can significantly reduce deployment-related downtime, accelerate release cycles, and maintain confidence that the system consistently meets evolving business needs with reliability and efficiency.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Chris Rolls, CEO Americas, TTC Global in a live LinkedIn session and discusses S/4 automated testing strategies and case studies.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textCall center and customer service workflows, particularly in heavily regulated sectors like banking, financial services, and insurance, often involve a level of complexity that standard CRM platforms struggle to accommodate. Processes such as client onboarding, approval cycles, and exception handling require dynamic, BPM-like capabilities that go beyond basic ticketing or task management. While major CRM solutions may offer customization, they frequently lack the agility and deep integration needed for real-time process orchestration and ad-hoc decision-making. This is where Pegasystems distinguishes itself, leveraging its strengths in process automation, AI-driven decisioning, and dynamic case management to manage intricate workflows with precision and adaptability. Positioned as a leader in the convergence of CRM and business process management, Pegasystems stands out for organizations seeking a platform that can handle complex service environments while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Pegasystems' capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Pegasystems might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Pegasystems.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textThe Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) category occupies a distinct space within enterprise technology, serving supply chain-intensive industries like retail and manufacturing with capabilities that traditional ERP systems simply cannot match. While ERP platforms manage transactional processes, S&OP suites focus on high-level strategic planning, offering advanced tools for forecasting, demand-supply balancing, and inventory optimization. Built around core pillars such as planning, network design, and limited execution functionalities like WMS and TMS, these platforms are designed to support long-term, macro-level decision-making. Increasingly, modern S&OP solutions are expanding into “connected planning,” integrating with HR, financial planning, and retail functions to create a unified planning ecosystem. When evaluating S&OP systems, factors like market positioning, product roadmap maturity, investor backing, and industry fit become crucial, as each platform brings its own strengths depending on architecture and planning philosophy. Selecting the right solution hinges on understanding how well it aligns with your organization's complexity and strategic goals.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 S&OP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these S&OP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each S&OP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe enterprise software and services landscape is experiencing a wave of strategic acquisitions, signaling aggressive moves by major players to expand capabilities and market share. Thomson Reuters' $600 million acquisition of tax automation firm SafeSend highlights the growing demand for streamlined financial compliance solutions, while HubSpot's purchase of Frame AI underscores the rising importance of AI-driven conversational insights in customer engagement. Meanwhile, WWT's blockbuster $1.25 billion deal to acquire Softchoice points to broader consolidation in IT services, and SPS Commerce's move to acquire Carbon6 Technologies reflects continued investment in retail and supply chain tech. Other notable transactions include Cass Information Systems acquiring AcuAudit from Acuitive Solutions, enhancing its audit automation offerings, and Later's $250 million acquisition of Mavely, a social influencer app, emphasizing the value of creator economy tools in modern marketing strategies.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendors. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textCRM systems generally center around four main suites—sales, marketing, customer service, and field service—often enhanced by contact center capabilities, though smaller platforms may streamline their offerings to focus primarily on marketing and lead generation. While enterprise-grade CRMs tend to offer robust, native support for complex features like CPQ and subscription management, smaller solutions often rely on third-party integrations to meet industry-specific needs. In this context, Keap stands out as a CRM designed specifically for small businesses, prioritizing simplicity, marketing automation, and affordability over extensive transactional or field service functionalities. Its position in the CRM landscape reflects a clear trade-off: it may lack the depth of enterprise tools, but excels in providing an accessible, all-in-one solution for small teams aiming to streamline customer engagement and growth.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Keap's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Keap might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Keap.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textWhen assessing project management systems, it's essential to separate standalone, best-of-breed solutions from ERP-integrated modules, as the former are specifically engineered to handle the nuanced demands of project execution without being constrained by the limitations of generalized platforms. True project management tools offer deeper capabilities in areas like collaboration, milestone tracking, and customized reporting—features often absent or underdeveloped in ERP modules. The ideal system also varies based on industry needs; for instance, construction and consulting firms prioritize financial oversight and client billing, while software and marketing teams emphasize timelines, resource allocation, and workflow efficiency. Strategic criteria such as product-market fit, the maturity of the product roadmap, community support, and investor backing further differentiate market leaders, ensuring selected platforms not only meet current operational demands but are also positioned for sustained innovation and growth.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 project management systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these project management systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each project management system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe ERP landscape is undergoing significant transformation, marked by a shift toward vertical specialization and regional compliance as vendors move away from generic, one-size-fits-all solutions. This evolution reflects the growing demand for industry-specific functionality and adherence to localized regulatory requirements. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping ERP capabilities by driving smarter automation, predictive insights, and more agile decision-making. Businesses are also moving toward modular architectures, favoring best-of-breed integrations over traditional monolithic systems to gain flexibility and scalability. As a result, ERP vendors are adopting divergent strategies—some doubling down on vertical depth, while others build expansive ecosystems to support extensibility—highlighting the increasingly fragmented and dynamic nature of the ERP market.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Vinnie Mirchandani, Founder, Deal Architect in a live LinkedIn session and discusses ERP Trends in the Age of AI.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textMany companies start their customer service operations with shared inboxes due to their affordability and ease of setup—making them an ideal solution for resource-constrained startups. These email-based systems offer a unified communication channel that simplifies customer interactions and promotes internal collaboration. However, as businesses grow and customer expectations evolve, shared inboxes struggle to support omnichannel engagement and scalable service delivery. While platforms like Zendesk offer powerful features to fill this gap, they often sacrifice the simplicity that made email systems appealing in the first place. This is where Front positions itself uniquely, combining the intuitive nature of email with the advanced capabilities of a customer communication platform, enabling teams to deliver personalized, efficient support across multiple channels without losing the collaborative benefits of a shared inbox.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Front's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Front might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Front.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textSelecting an ERP system for the not-for-profit sector requires a nuanced approach due to the sector's distinct operational and financial demands. Unlike traditional businesses, not-for-profits rely on specialized functionalities such as fund accounting, grant tracking, and compliance tools, which are essential to meet sector-specific accounting standards. The choice of ERP should be aligned with the organization's size and mission, as systems vary in scalability and feature depth. Dedicated not-for-profit editions are generally more effective than retrofitting generic platforms, which may struggle with sector-specific requirements. Moreover, critical operational concerns—like data residency, donor engagement, and public-sector-style procurement—must be addressed through a tightly integrated, suite-based solution that holistically supports both financial and mission-centric goals.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Non-Profit ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Non-Profit ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Non-Profit ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textMarketing automation and core CRM systems, though often linked, are fundamentally distinct in design and purpose. Marketing automation is tailored for upstream business processes that involve unstructured data and require seamless integration with multiple systems to drive engagement and lead generation. In contrast, core CRM systems are built to support downstream Revenue Operations with highly transactional workflows, necessitating a structured data model capable of capturing complex business hierarchies. However, even the most advanced CRMs often fall short in supporting the intricate, ad-hoc relationships found in industries like real estate or non-profits, where flexibility and nuanced relationship management are critical.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of HubSpot's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where HubSpot might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of HubSpot.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textThe tech and enterprise software landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, marked by a mix of bold acquisitions and cautious public market strategies. While Databricks' CEO candidly states that “it's dumb to IPO this year,” citing market volatility and strategic timing, major players are making aggressive moves elsewhere. From Thomson Reuters' $600M acquisition of tax automation firm SafeSend to WWT's $1.25B blockbuster deal to acquire Softchoice, the momentum is clearly shifting toward consolidation and capability expansion. Microsoft's Satya Nadella has also sparked debate with his prediction that AI agents could overtake traditional SaaS models by 2025, signaling a fundamental shift in how software is built and consumed. Meanwhile, companies like SPS Commerce, Cass Information Systems, and Later are strengthening their portfolios through targeted acquisitions, reflecting a broader trend of investing in specialized tools and emerging platforms. Together, these developments hint at a future shaped less by IPOs and more by ecosystem dominance and AI-powered disruption.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry analysts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to analyze current enterprise software stories. We covered many grounds, including the direction and roadmaps of each enterprise software vendor. Finally, we analyzed future trends and how they might shape the enterprise software industry.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThis curated list stands apart by spotlighting ERP platforms that were engineered from inception as true cloud-native solutions, intentionally bypassing the limitations of retrofitted legacy systems. These modern ERPs are designed to leverage the full scope of cloud capabilities—delivering streamlined operations, cost efficiencies, and reduced maintenance overhead. While they may not rival the feature depth of long-established systems, their edge lies in agility, intuitive design, and mobile readiness, making them particularly attractive to forward-looking organizations. Our evaluation prioritizes architectural integrity over popularity, favoring vendors that have fully embraced cloud-native frameworks and are actively innovating in this space. The result is a lineup that not only reflects current market needs but also signals where ERP is headed—toward more flexible, scalable, and user-centered experiences.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 cloud-native ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these cloud-native ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each cloud-native ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textImplementing ERP systems in government and non-profit sectors comes with distinct challenges, including tight budget constraints, complex regulatory requirements, and the heightened need for operational transparency. In these environments, the role of enterprise architecture becomes especially critical—it acts as a strategic framework that aligns IT investments with organizational objectives, ensuring that ERP solutions are not only compliant and cost-effective but also sustainable over the long term. By offering a clear roadmap, enterprise architecture helps mitigate implementation risks, optimize resource allocation, and drive greater efficiency, all while reinforcing accountability and public trust in mission-driven operations.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Douglas Camin, CIO, Coordinated Care Services in a live LinkedIn session and discusses ERP challenges for govt and non-profit organizations and the differences in enterprise architecture for financial services and government spaces.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textIt's fascinating how quickly the tech landscape evolves—platforms like Salesforce and Workday, once seen as trailblazing disruptors, are now being viewed as legacy systems, navigating the same kind of disruption they once caused. Innovations like object and graph databases have redefined what flexibility, connectivity, and user experience look like, giving rise to a new generation of platforms such as Notion, Attio, ClickUp, Monday.com, Airtable, and Smartsheet. These tools prioritize adaptability, intuitive design, and real-time collaboration, reshaping how businesses manage data and workflows. Within this new wave, Attio stands out as a modern CRM alternative built on a graph-first architecture, offering dynamic relationship tracking and a highly customizable interface. As companies seek lightweight, modular tools over rigid enterprise suites, the question now is not just how Attio compares to its competitors—but whether it represents the future of relationship management altogether.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Attio's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Attio might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Attio.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textWhen evaluating the top ERP systems for the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to recognize that this list focuses solely on the ERP solutions themselves—not the vendors behind them—and spans organizations of all sizes, from emerging biotech startups to large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturers. Since ERP needs vary widely across the pharma value chain, the accompanying commentary offers essential guidance on which systems best serve specific market segments. The industry encompasses a wide array of business models, including traditional pharma companies, biotech firms, cannabis producers, nutraceutical manufacturers, CROs, and R&D consultancies—each with distinct regulatory, operational, and supply chain demands. For instance, a contract research organization may require robust data integrity and clinical compliance tools, whereas a nutraceutical producer might prioritize batch traceability and rapid production scalability. These differences underscore the importance of selecting an ERP system that not only supports compliance but also aligns with a company's core processes and growth trajectory.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 pharma ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these pharma ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each pharma ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textERP Phase 0 is more than just a clever way to cut down on the zeroes in your total cost of ownership—it's the strategic groundwork that can make or break your entire implementation. This critical phase is where businesses assess their needs, document current processes, and align their objectives with the capabilities of a chosen ERP system. Think of it as building a zero-solid foundation: whether it's a retailer identifying supply chain gaps or a manufacturer validating workflow compatibility, Phase 0 is where hidden inefficiencies surface and alignment begins. Skipping this step often leads to costly delays, scope creep, and mismatched expectations. But embracing it? That's how you set your ERP project up for real, scalable success.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Jakob Bent Smed, Founder, JBS Advisory in a live LinkedIn session and discusses ERP Phase 0 stories.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textMany marketing automation platforms tend to overpromise, presenting themselves as all-encompassing solutions capable of delivering seamless, customer-centric workflows across the entire CRM spectrum. In reality, these platforms are typically optimized for specific use cases, and their underlying data models reflect that specialization. B2C-focused systems often emphasize features like order management, subscriptions, and loyalty programs, whereas B2B platforms are built around complex customer hierarchies, account-based marketing, and territory-based permissions. While there is some functional overlap, the structural differences between B2B and B2C solutions are significant, particularly when it comes to integration requirements and workflow design. In this context, evaluating where Brevo fits becomes crucial—understanding whether it leans more toward B2B or B2C use cases, how well it adapts to varying business needs, and how its capabilities compare with other niche and hybrid platforms in the market.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Brevo's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Brevo might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Brevo.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textWhen evaluating the top ERP systems for the medical device industry, it's essential to recognize the wide range of business models that fall within this sector, from biotech startups to large-scale manufacturers of capital equipment and consumables. This ranking focuses strictly on the ERP solutions themselves—independent of the companies behind them—and considers their applicability across organizations of all sizes. Since ERP requirements differ significantly depending on a company's scale, regulatory obligations, and operational focus, the commentary accompanying each system is critical in helping businesses determine fit. For example, a biotech firm may prioritize robust compliance and research support, while a consumables manufacturer might seek high-efficiency production and traceability. As such, a top-ranked ERP solution may not be universally ideal, but rather excels in particular areas like scalability, automation, or compliance. Choosing the right system involves aligning these strengths with your specific business needs, ensuring the ERP not only supports current operations but is also capable of adapting to future growth and industry demands.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 medical device ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these medical device ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each medical device ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textCIOs are pivotal to successful business transformation, serving as the bridge between equipment IT, product IT, and corporate IT to create a unified and agile technology ecosystem. Achieving this coherence requires more than technical oversight—it demands a strategic mindset rooted in business value. Tools like Signavio and LeanIX have become essential in this effort, enabling CIOs to map and model business processes, identify redundancies, and ensure clear ownership across the IT landscape. These platforms not only enhance visibility but also support cross-functional alignment and better resource utilization. However, the true power of Enterprise Architecture lies in its ability to drive adaptability and collaboration among stakeholders. CIOs must champion EA not just as a framework, but as a transformative force that connects technology initiatives to tangible business outcomes. Past failures highlight the dangers of poor communication and lack of executive buy-in, where even well-designed EA strategies can result in underused systems or disconnected goals. Ultimately, CIOs who align IT with dynamic business needs and foster a culture of agility are best positioned to lead through change and deliver long-term value.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Martin Mohr, CIO, RAFI Group in a live LinkedIn session and discusses business transformation from the lenses of a CIO.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe sustainability of the open-source business model remains a subject of ongoing debate, particularly when examining its long-term viability as a product differentiator. While open-source has often served as an effective marketing and adoption strategy—evident in early trailblazers like SugarCRM—it doesn't always guarantee lasting market dominance. SugarCRM, for instance, initially gained traction by fostering a strong community and ecosystem around its open-source version. However, despite this early success, the company eventually discontinued its community edition, raising questions about the durability of the model. Such a pivot can alienate loyal users and erode trust, especially if customers feel that transparency and flexibility—the core promises of open-source—are being compromised. Furthermore, once a product shifts away from its open-source roots, the competitive advantage it once held may diminish, particularly as the value proposition becomes more aligned with proprietary alternatives. This transition often forces companies to reevaluate how they attract and retain customers in a more crowded, less differentiated market.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of SugarCRM's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where SugarCRM might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of SugarCRM.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textWhen assessing the top aerospace and defense ERP systems for 2025, it's essential to recognize that this evaluation is rooted in a defined set of criteria focused solely on the ERP solutions themselves rather than the reputation or size of the vendors behind them. The list accommodates businesses across the spectrum—from small subcontractors to large OEMs—acknowledging that ERP suitability is highly context-dependent. A system ranked at the top may excel in areas like compliance, scalability, or supply chain integration but might not align with the streamlined needs of a smaller Tier 2 supplier or a service-focused firm. The aerospace and defense industry is far from monolithic; it includes a diverse array of business models, from component manufacturing to project-based consulting, each with distinct requirements. As such, factors like industry-specific functionality, support for standards like AS9100, and project management capabilities such as WBS must be considered. The commentary accompanying each system in the ranking will delve into these nuances, helping organizations identify the ERP solution that best fits their operational profile rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 aerospace and defense ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these aerospace and defense ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each aerospace and defense ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textWhen evaluating the cost of a review platform, businesses must consider more than just the price—they need to assess the value it brings to their marketing and conversion strategy. A robust review system can significantly impact customer trust, ad performance, and even SEO rankings, making it a powerful asset beyond simple testimonials. The real question is whether the investment can be tied directly to measurable ROI. Platforms like Yotpo have gained popularity by offering features such as automated review collection, AI-driven sentiment analysis, and seamless integrations with eCommerce ecosystems. If a platform can drive higher conversions, reduce customer acquisition costs, and enhance brand credibility, then even a five-figure investment might be justified. However, businesses must carefully compare options and ensure that the chosen solution aligns with their overall growth and engagement strategies.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Yotpo's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Yotpo might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Yotpo.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textGiven these complexities, selecting the right ERP system for the paper industry requires a solution that goes beyond generic functionalities to address sector-specific challenges. From managing raw material fluctuations and complex production scheduling to ensuring seamless integration across newly merged entities, an effective ERP must provide real-time visibility and adaptability. Additionally, regulatory compliance, sustainability tracking, and waste reduction are growing concerns that necessitate robust data analytics and reporting capabilities. Companies that invest in an ERP tailored to the paper industry gain not only operational efficiency but also a strategic advantage, enabling them to optimize production, streamline supply chains, and respond swiftly to market changes.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Fred Donatucci, CIO/IT Executive Advisor in a live LinkedIn session and discusses ERP Consolidation in the Paper Industry and their unique needs & challenges.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textGiven the complexities of the automotive industry, selecting the right ERP system is not just about functionality but also about long-term strategic fit. Companies must assess how well an ERP solution aligns with their operational structure, compliance needs, and growth plans. While larger enterprises may benefit from robust suite-centric solutions that offer end-to-end integration, smaller firms might prefer modular, platform-based ERPs that allow gradual scaling. Additionally, factors like vendor support, ecosystem strength, and technological innovation should not be overlooked, as they can significantly impact system usability and adaptability. Ultimately, the right ERP choice is one that not only meets current industry demands but also evolves with future advancements in automotive manufacturing, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 automotive ERP systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these automotive ERP systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each automotive ERP system.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe marketing automation landscape is split between platforms designed for B2C and those built for B2B, each with unique challenges and priorities. While B2C businesses often require high email volumes to engage customers at scale, B2B strategies typically focus on deeper relationship-building with fewer but more targeted touchpoints. Many email marketing providers emphasize the importance of more interactions, but for businesses selling low-cost products—where the cost of sending emails could exceed the revenue generated—email send limits become a critical consideration. This raises the question: how well do email marketing platforms address these nuances? In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of ActiveCampaign's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where ActiveCampaign might be a a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of ActiveCampaign.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textAs we approach 2025, ERP systems are undergoing significant transformation, driven by the push toward modernization and cloud adoption. Vendors are offering enticing migration strategies to help businesses move away from legacy systems, promising enhanced scalability, real-time data access, and improved operational efficiency. However, organizations remain cautious, weighing these benefits against potential challenges such as data security risks, integration complexities, and the hurdles of change management. As a result, many companies are adopting a hybrid approach, strategically transitioning certain functions to the cloud while maintaining critical processes on-premise to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Robert Kramer at Moor Insights & Strategy in a live LinkedIn session and discusses ERP trends for 2025 and what businesses need to know to prepare for their digital transformation journey.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textSelecting an ERP system for large enterprises—companies generating over $1 billion in revenue—is a complex and high-stakes decision shaped by their scale, operational intricacies, and global footprint. While the lower enterprise segment often faces budget constraints and slower business model evolution, the upper enterprise tier is far more dynamic, frequently undergoing structural shifts due to mergers and acquisitions. Given their presence across multiple countries, these organizations require ERP solutions with strong multi-entity support, compliance capabilities, and localization features to navigate regulatory frameworks like GDPR, e-invoicing mandates, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Unlike mid-sized businesses that may operate with a single ERP, large enterprises typically adopt a best-of-breed approach, integrating multiple specialized solutions to optimize financial and operational synergies across subsidiaries. In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Large Company ERP in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Large Company ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Large Company ERP.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textThe intersection of marketing automation and CMS platforms raises an important question: does merging the two create a more seamless, tailored experience, or does it confine the platform to a specific industry? Some solutions, like Episerver, have positioned themselves around CMS and personalization, integrating marketing automation to enhance customer engagement. Similarly, certain open-source CMS platforms have attempted to enter this space, though their limited market share raises doubts about their influence in defining the category. In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Bloomreach's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Bloomreach might be a a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Bloomreach.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textIn the crowded marketing automation space, where countless platforms offer seemingly similar capabilities, real-time customer interaction is a key differentiator—especially for B2C industries. While many solutions claim to enable real-time engagement, only a select few possess the technology to execute it effectively. As businesses refine their data-driven strategies, they encounter an array of tools designed to enhance customer targeting across multiple touchpoints. In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Braze's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Braze might be a a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Braze.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textSelecting the right ERP system for mid-sized businesses in 2025 requires a nuanced understanding of the segment, as companies generating between $100 million and $1 billion in revenue have vastly different needs depending on their scale. The lower mid-market, ranging from $100 million to $250 million, may prioritize ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness, while the upper mid-market often demands more advanced functionality and scalability. While industry-specific ERP recommendations are ideal, broader rankings—like this one—can serve as a helpful starting point for businesses without access to tailored guidance. Given that most companies in this range operate in fewer than 10 countries, their ERP choices typically balance global capabilities with practical implementation constraints. These systems offer greater maturity than small business ERPs, emphasizing advanced forecasting, supply chain optimization, and workflow automation. However, deep customization and extensive third-party integrations are usually reserved for enterprise-level deployments. By evaluating market share, vendor strategies, product roadmaps, and ecosystem engagement, this list highlights the top ERP solutions that align with the unique needs of mid-sized businesses in 2025.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 Mid-Sized Business ERP in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Mid-Sized Business ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Mid-Sized Business ERP.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textQuantum technology is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in computing, communication, and sensing, with AI acting as a key catalyst for its growing demand. As machine learning and large-scale computations push the limits of classical processing power, quantum systems present a promising solution for solving complex problems more efficiently. Governments, private enterprises, and research institutions worldwide are making substantial investments to accelerate both fundamental discoveries and commercial applications. Beyond technological breakthroughs, quantum innovation is also shaping the workforce of the future by fostering high-tech job opportunities and promoting inclusivity through education and training initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure broader participation in this transformative field, particularly among underrepresented communities.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Kieran N. Blanks at The Blankslate Group in a live LinkedIn session and discusses Quantum technology trends and what businesses need to know to prepare for the next technology revolution.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textMarketing automation is a highly competitive space, with numerous tools designed for different industries and platforms. Within the Shopify ecosystem alone, businesses can choose from at least a dozen options, including Shopify's own built-in solutions, all offering similar core functionalities. However, the differences lie in their specialized capabilities—some platforms emphasize eCommerce-driven workflows like product recommendations and push notifications, while others cater more to content management or CPQ processes. Klaviyo, a well-known player in this space, distinguishes itself with a strong focus on data-driven personalization and deep eCommerce integrations. In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Klaviyo's capabilities. We covered many grounds including where Klaviyo might be a a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Klaviyo.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textWhen assessing ERP solutions for small businesses, it's essential to recognize that these companies have distinct operational needs and constraints. While revenue can be a useful benchmark, factors such as industry type, business model complexity, and growth trajectory play an equally crucial role in determining ERP adoption. For many product-based businesses, reaching $30 million in revenue often signals the need for a more robust system to manage inefficiencies, whereas service-based companies may continue operating with simpler tools for longer. Small businesses in this segment are beyond the startup phase but still face budget limitations, making affordability, ease of implementation, and ecosystem support key selection criteria. Given these nuances, our analysis considers not only the ERP vendors' market presence and strategic focus on small businesses but also their technology roadmap, community engagement, and ability to support businesses with evolving operational demands.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP Systems for Small Business in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Small Business ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Small Business ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textERP systems have long struggled with visibility, making learning, adoption, and process optimization difficult for organizations. Traditional methods of visualizing business processes relied on stakeholder interviews, often leading to incomplete or biased representations. Process mining technology revolutionizes this approach by leveraging event logs and AI-driven analytics to map real process flows with accuracy and depth. Celonis, a leader in this space, offers powerful insights into inefficiencies and bottlenecks, but the question remains: does it truly deliver superior value compared to its competitors? Evaluating its effectiveness requires assessing scalability, ease of integration, and the depth of automation capabilities, all of which determine how well process mining translates into real business impact.In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of Celonis' capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where Celonis might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of Celonis.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textEnsuring near-zero downtime for Fortune 100 companies handling millions of transactions requires a strategic approach that blends high-availability architectures, real-time failover mechanisms, and robust disaster recovery planning. Navigating the intricate ecosystem of SAP S/4HANA—where interconnected systems drive mission-critical operations—demands a deep understanding of integration patterns, middleware, and cloud optimizations. While SAP S/4HANA offers powerful in-memory computing and streamlined processes, its ability to support high-volume environments often hinges on complementary solutions like hyperscaler infrastructure, advanced caching mechanisms, and custom performance tuning. Successfully migrating ECC workloads to S/4HANA means addressing these complexities head-on, ensuring that scalability, resilience, and minimal disruption remain at the core of the transition strategy.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Steele Arbeeny, with SNP, to provide insights into SAP S/4 HANA best practices for high-volume industries.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textWhen selecting an ERP system, startups must balance affordability and ease of implementation. With lean teams and revenue typically under $10 million, these businesses require solutions that allow basic transaction processing without complex implementation layers. Unlike larger enterprises, startups can initially function with more isolated systems, reducing the urgency for deep integrations. However, as they grow, the ability to consolidate becomes crucial. The best ERP solutions for startups provide leaner layers of data and process models, sometimes at the expense of scalability. By prioritizing systems with strong market traction, investor backing, and a clear technology roadmap, startups can make informed choices that support both their current operations and long-term success.In this episode, our host Sam Gupta discusses the top 10 ERP Systems for Startups in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Startup ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Startup ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textMarketing automation has come a long way, evolving from basic email campaigns into sophisticated, multi-channel ecosystems that integrate SMS, ads, and websites. However, not all platforms cater equally to businesses of different sizes. Enterprise-grade solutions offer advanced workflow security and unified customer insights, while many SMB-focused tools, like MailChimp, often fall short in these areas. Without robust data traceability, smaller businesses struggle to manage diverse customer personas and communication preferences effectively. As competition intensifies, the question remains: is MailChimp keeping pace with the demands of modern marketing automation, or is it lagging behind in a rapidly advancing landscape?In today's episode, we invited a panel of industry experts for a live discussion on LinkedIn to conduct an independent review of MailChimp's capabilities. We covered many grounds, including where MailChimp might be a fit in the enterprise architecture and where it might be overused. Finally, they analyze many data points to help understand the core strengths and weaknesses of MailChimp.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform. 

Send us a textWith 2025 shrouded in uncertainty, one thing remains certain: executives must craft IT budgets that strike the right balance between innovation and financial discipline. Rapid technological advancements present a double-edged sword—overspending on ineffective solutions can drain resources, while underinvestment risks falling behind the competition. To navigate this landscape, leaders must align IT spending with long-term business objectives, ensuring flexibility to adapt to emerging trends without unnecessary expenditures. Strategic planning today will determine whether companies thrive in the future or scramble to keep up with industry shifts.In this episode, Sam Gupta engages in a LinkedIn live session with Brian Jackson, with InfoTech Research to provide insights into tech trends for 2025 and what executives need to know to plan their digital transformation initiatives..Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs.rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

Send us a textSelecting the right construction ERP system in 2025 requires a deep understanding of a company's unique operational needs, as no single solution fits all. While smaller firms may struggle with overly complex platforms, larger enterprises often demand robust functionalities that extend beyond core construction workflows. The integration of real estate management, field services, and subcontractor coordination adds layers of complexity, making it critical to evaluate whether an ERP natively supports these functions or relies on third-party add-ons. Additionally, businesses must consider the scale and nature of their projects—whether large-scale infrastructure development or small renovation jobs—as ERP suitability varies based on project scope. With industry-specific needs ranging from developer-focused solutions to nonprofit construction management, the right ERP choice hinges on aligning technology with business strategy.In this episode, our host, Sam Gupta, discusses the top 10 Construction ERP Systems in 2025. He also discusses several variables that influence the rankings of these Construction ERP Systems. Finally, he shares the pros and cons of each Construction ERP System.Background Soundtrack: Away From You – Mauro SommFor more information on growth strategies for SMBs using ERP and digital transformation, visit our community at wbs. rocks or elevatiq.com. To ensure that you never miss an episode of the WBS podcast, subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.