The Hackett Group to Tackle ERP
Miami-based Answerthink Inc. and its division The Hackett Group have introduced an ERP (enterprise resource planning) optimization program to allow companies to improve business-application software programs from providers such as SAP America Inc., J.D. Edwards & Co., Lawson Software Inc., Oracle Corp., PeopleSoft Inc. and Siebel Systems Inc.
These ERP systems, which have attracted a number of mid-size to large apparel businesses, generally automate supply-chain management, order processing, and administrative and human resources functions.
The Hackett Group program uses analytics, such as peer-to-peer learning, and one-onone business research and advisory services to help companies achieve maximum ERP performance. According to the company, the program enables businesses to improve efficiency, streamline operations and reduce costs by using ERP applications to implement proven Hackett “Best Practices” analytics. Such analytics are part of a methodology that analyzes how well companies have optimized their business processes and the configurations of their ERP applications.
About a dozen leading corporations have agreed to serve on the client-advisory panel for the program and play a key role in determining its initial scope. Participating companies include apparel retailers as well as members of other industries, including aerospace and defense, air courier services, automotive, electrical products, medical diagnostics, metal production, toy manufacturing, and travel and real estate services.
According to The Hackett Group’s recent research, companies that it has categorized as “world class” are able to spend 44 percent less on finance costs than average companies partially because of their reliance on standardization and centralized systems.
“The companies we’ve been talking with as we’ve designed this program have some very clear ’hot buttons’ when it comes to ERP,” said The Hackett Group President Bruce Barlag. “They want to achieve comprehensive internal and external integration and want to use ERP to more effectively link up with suppliers, partners and customers. It enables companies to learn from world-class performers and from their peers so that they identify where they can make changes in their software configuration and underlying corporate processes that will help them achieve lower operational costs and reduced error rates.”
The Hackett Group has been working with a number of businesses, including Paoli, Penn.–based sportswear company And1. —Robert McAllister
