Busting the omnichannel - enterprise hacks and chats

The enterprise event season halfpoint review show - with Reed and Sommer

We're halfway through the enterprise event season folks - so it's time for the sassy halftime review with Jon Reed and Brian Sommer. Taped at IFS World, this informal, unrehearsed podcast finds the guys in a chippy mood, with a few sacred cows taken off to pasture and a few chips off of Brian's shoulder. The overuse of IoT and AI buzzwords is mocked, as well as the problem of systems that claim to be next-gen but are integration nightmares with a long time to value. The guys end on a high note with a couple of Brian's vendors to watch. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes

Servitization and the push to modern ERP manufacturing - an IFS World review

In this live recording from IFS World Conference 2018, Jon Reed and usual podcast suspect Brian Sommer review the first two days of the IFS World show, explaining to listeners why this industry-focused ERP solution is worth watching. They kick around the IFS push to modernize platform and partners, and look at whether this approach will work for existing and net new customers. The guys also hash out Brian's Twitter beef with new IFS CEO Darren Roos, and why the two of them differ on IFS' emphasis on the servitization of manufacturing. They hit on what IFS needs to accomplish this year, and finally, the guys share a few quick anecdotes on their failed quest for good BBQ and their successful/problematic TexMex achievement. Note: Jon and Brian also taped a "halftime show" of the spring enterprise software conference season - look for that one next week. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Reaching the informed B2B buyer (and their networks) - an informal podcamp session with Jon Reed

In this interactive live discussion from Western Mass Podcamp 2018, Jon shares his views on researching the so-called informed buyer, and why marketing and sales must change. Participants from the session share their own challenges, and Jon hits on the dynamics of winning (and sustaining) attention, and why topic authority and opt-in audiences are essential. He explains why social media is useless without content, and why content is useless without a clear business identity. The role of subscription and curation is discussed. (Jon did a related session that continues these themes with a look at the power of immersive creativity; look out for that podcast soon). Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Acumatica Summit 2018 in review - the quest for modern ERP

In their Nashville sit down, Brian Sommer and Jon Reed break down Acumatica Summit 2018, with an eye towards what constitutes modern ERP software (and modern go-to-market). The guys discuss the big takeaways and talk about the reasons behind Acumatica's growth surge. Topics include the challenge ERP vendors face with external (big) data and IoT, as well as Acumatica's approach to next-gen (AI, ML, etc). They wrap by discussing Acumatica's challenges and what other vendors can learn from their approach. Note: several articles referred to in this podcast can be read on diginomica.com. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

XeroCon 2 - blockchain, AI, and arguing about banking innovation

In part two of their XeroCon 2017 sit down, Jon Reed and Brian Sommer continue hashing what XeroCon needs to do for cloud financials traction in the U.S. They move on to discuss Xero's stance on cryptocurrency and blockchain, and more on AI and predictive. Jon also tricks Brian into revisiting his argument with the banking panel on the lack of big bank innovation. Finally, Brian and Jon unveil their name for Xero's chatbot (which has yet to issue any chatbot announcements or plans, but Brian and Jon are trying to stay ahead of this curve).Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Xero in review - talking clouds, AI, accountants, XeroCon and biz change with Brian Sommer

In the short version of Jon's chat with Brian Sommer at XeroCon 2017, the guys settle into their makeshift podcast bunker to talk about how accountants are faring in their tech-driven push to become advisors - and why the surge of automation is forcing the issue. Alexa can't save them from Austin's crud weather, but they persist. The guys talk about the pros and cons of Xero's plans for US expansion, and what value their users are deriving from a cloud financials platform. They kick around Xero's practical take on AI, and why automation could prove to be an asset for accountants that get ahead of the curve. LISTENER'S NOTE: The extended full Xero discussion will come out later this week. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

SAP TechEd Barcelona Review - Reed and Hirsch on Leonardo, cloud, and where SAP goes next

In their Barcelona tradition, Jon Reed of diginomica and SAP Mentor and cloud expert Dick Hirsch review the news, debates, and questions from SAP TechEd Barcelona 2017. They break down what they learned on Leonardo, along with questions about how SAP got away from process expertise in their positioning. Separating hype from reality includes a review of SAP's blockchain pursuits, and why cloud requires a different level of pricing transparency. Can SAP flip the pricing script? The guys also hit on SAP's multi-cloud ambitions, including the Google partnership, and Jon reveals what he learned - or didn't - on the Android SDK possibility in the future.  Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Teamability and the art - and gotchas - of team-building

In this live podcast from Constellation Research's Connected Enterprise 2017, Jon talks with the Teamability team about why team building is hard - and the unique method they bring. With the occasional bird chirping during our outdoor taping session, CEO Dr. Janice Presser and COO Mark Talaba share field examples and explain why the science of team building goes far beyond "good" and "bad" teams.

Jon also gets into his own experience being tested by Teamability, what he learned, and the three podcasters kick around the ups and downs of teams until it's time for Mark's Uber to the airport - then Jon issues the ultimate Teamability challenge. Dr. Janice Presser is also the author of the new book @Dr. Janice - Timing isn't Everyhing. Teaming is. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

An inside look at how ERPfixers hopes to impact SAP consulting - with an on-demand platform

In this in-depth conversation with Paul Ovigele of ERPfixers, Ovigele gives an frank look at his goal of using an Uber-like platform to provide SAP customers with a new option to get their questions answered. Jon Reed of diginomica.com talks with Ovigele about the challenges ERPfixers has faced during a live sit down at SAP Controlling 2017. They also discuss the need for consulting to change - just like cloud has changed software business models. Jon also gets Ovigele's answers to reader questions from a diginomica piece on ERPfixers - and the guys kick around the potential of the platform, for SAP and beyond, until they run out of time. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Talking Acumatica, modern ERP and business change with Brian Sommer

During this informal chat after the Acumatica analyst and R2 launch event, Jon Reed and Brian Sommer of diginomica delve into the role of modern ERP in the push towards business model change. After hashing out the latest Acumatica announcements, the guys talk about the components of modern ERP (UX, platform, data visibility) and why ring fending ERP is problematic when it comes to pursuing digital projects and integrating new external data sources. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Growing your business with content - an interactive Podcamp presentation

In this edited version of his Western Mass Podcamp 2017 session, Growing your business with content, Jon talks about the power of content and the impact of the digital economy on how content is consumed. The key question: how can you use content to win business by earning trust, opt-ins, and audiences? Session participants, including Claudia Gere, chime in here and there and pose questions. Note: there are a few swear words on this podcast so it's not safe for certain workplaces. Also check the itunes channel for the full podcast archives. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

FinancialForce Community Live - the podcast review

During this live on-site podcast with Jon Reed of diginomica and the usual suspect Brian Sommer (also a diginomica contributor), the guys hash out what they learned from a newsworthy FinancialForce user conference. This was the first time media/analysts were invited to a FinancialForce user conference, which generated plenty of discussions on customer value and sparks on the ADP partner announcement. Jon gets into highlights from the slew of customers FinancialForce lined up for him. Sommer shares why he was looking for more on big data and AI, and the guys discuss partner strategy, verticals, and yes - revenue recognition - aka "The CIO's Y2K." Brian also explains his mysterious lack of suit and tie and why he was spotted in a Las Vegas golf shirt. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

SAP UX from the inside out - Sam Yen on SAP Leonardo, design thinking and the challenges ahead

In part two of their live taping at Enterprise UX 2017, Jon Reed of diginomica.com talks with Sam Yen of SAP about their UX overhaul and the integral role design thinking plays in Leonardo - including project delivery. Yen also gives a glimpse into Hasso Plattner's passion for design and how this impacts SAP's UX challenges ahead. Also check the itunes channel for the full podcast archives. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Enterprise UX as a change driver - live from #EUX17 with Sam Yen

In this impromptu. on-site podcast, Jon Reed of diginomica.com talks with Sam Yen of SAP about his presentation on driving organizational change through design. In this first of two podcasts with Reed and Yen, the guys hit on issues like the (relative) maturity of enterprise UX, and the big themes from Enterprise UX 2017, including breaking down silos. Yen critiques incremental innovation and makes the case for organization-wide design culture. Yen also gives his advice for non-designers who want to bring a design mentality to their work - and why that matters. In part two of their podcast, the guys will take a harder look at SAP's UX approach and get Yen's Leonardo/UX status report. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Sapphire Now 2017 in review - disruption and being disrupted edition

In their traditional post-Sapphire Now live recording, Jon and Dick once again grab an empty meeting room, but this time, they are - fittingly enough - disrupted. But the taping goes on, as Jon and Dick talk through the major themes of the show, kicking off with the diginomica.com story Dick published before Sapphire Now 2017 on multi-cloud that caused a stir. The guys hit on Sap Cloud Platform and Cloud Foundry, debate whether S/4HANA Cloud was overlooked, and break down Leonardo. Dick also gets into SAP Hybris, microservices, and the guys talk about the SaaS standardization dilemma for customers. They also explain why they chose NOT to talk indirect access.  Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Your tech keynote survival guide - a satirical riff with Brian Sommer

In this brief satirical effort, Brian and Jon present to you their "Vendor Innovation Keynote Survival Guide" and BS Detector. Advice for vendors on what not to do, advice for attendees, e.g. "bring your safety glasses." The guys cover drones delivering pizza, auto-driving cars on stage, celebrity keynotes, stand-up comics from hell, and other keynote mishaps. We also cover all the hot topics that all vendor will suddenly be doing incredible amazing things with, e.g. the blockchain. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Acumatica '17 in review - cloud ERP gut check with Brian Sommer

In this on-site podcast, live from the annual Acumatica Summit, Brian Sommer and Jon Reed discuss the latest moves from this high growth cloud ERP upstart. The guys discuss Acuamtica's multi-cloud message, their surprise integration with Salesforce, and whether their "deploy anywhere" architecture might prove to be problematic at scale. They also discuss the vertical approach to cloud ERP, and their pulse on Acumatica customers. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

How to build an enterprise tribe - tips and reflections with Mark Finnern

In the audio-only version of this informal video hangout from Mark Finnern's departed treehouse, Finnern reflects with Jon Reed of diginomica on what he learned at SAP in the early days of building enterprise tribes. Now a consultant, Finnern explains why companies should be passionate about communities - not just for customers, but for competitive edge. Finnern also makes his case playfulness as a way of energizing companies and breaking down silos. The guys also discuss Finnern's keys to a successful enterprise communities, and where companies run into trouble. They move into the tricky territory of KPIs, and measuring the results of community investments. The podcast closes with Finnern's take on how SAP has handled community - and the SAP Mentors - after his departure. es, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Acumatica's Jon Roskill on cloud ERP, the multi-cloud, and Acumatica's direction

In this live, on-site podcast from the Acumatica Summit, Jon Reed of diginomica talks to Acumatica CEO Jon Roskill about the state of cloud ERP and Acumatica's direction. Roskill shares his views on the multi-cloud and why customers expect to combine/integrate clouds without being tied to one vendor. The guys also discuss why open APis are key to modern ERP. Then there is the problem of project failure/cost overruns due to excessive customization. But can SaaS ERP, criticized as inflexible, offer an alternative to a "lift and shift" approach? Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes.

Hyperledger hacking and enterprise blockchain potentials - an informal chat

In this informal, audio-only Hangout, Jon Reed of diginomica talks with two enterprise blockchain enthusiasts about the potential of blockchain in the enterprise. Fresh off a Hyperledger hackathon event, Clive Boulton and Greg Misiorek share what they've learned, and why a couple of enterprisey dudes think that the enterprise is due for some enterprisey disruption. The guys also touch on Ethereum and why Hyperledger, a Linux project heavily supported by IBM and other players, seems to have the most potential right now for enterprise blockchains.

 

NOTE: recommend headphone listening as Greg's audio was not optimal. Did my best to improve it. I'll also be writing about this discussion on diginomica.com, so if you missed anything on the audio, check and/or search http://www.diginomica.com on "blockchain" for more. Yes, you can get Busting the Omnichannel on iTunes