MESSAGE FROM CEO, Brian Utley
Another day at the office – involves a phone call from a chief procurement officer frustrated with the results of their “state-of-the-art” Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. It’s a typical case of a big software company promising to do everything with their ERP suite but not delivering the promised results. Originating with a nine month ERP install process that lingers into years of never-ending added costs, these executives are stunned and at a loss for words.
Where did things turn sour, and how did they get themselves into this costly mess?
Mistake #1- Used a system designed for the private sector. Large ERP software suites are built for finance and manufacturing providers and have little focus on public sector or higher education markets. They lack the functionality required in the public sector and lack ease-of-use. Many ERP companies and consultants create a “one off” version of the software to try and meet your public sector needs. However, due to the heavy customization required to pair the software with public sector needs, entities are unable to later upgrade to an updated version of the ERP software. Once implemented, they are stuck with the specific custom developed version or faced with very expensive upgrade projects.
Mistake #2- Used a system that takes years to implement. Often times, ERP companies will give an estimated go-live schedule and, before you know it, you are six fruitless months into the process and behind schedule with no end in sight. Departments find themselves at a stand-still waiting for the system to be up and running. Work piles up as staff members wait for the new system to be implemented with their needed functionality. Long projects cause frustration and build a lack of confidence in the entity’s ability to deliver service to constituents.
Mistake #3- Used a system that depleted your budget. At first glance, an ERP system might seem doable. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that your all-in-one system is not all inclusive. Large software providers have “bolt-ons” to fill gaps in their functionality, creating just another reason to increase your bill. Common procurement bolt-ons include stand-alone catalogs, web-crawling technology to search vendor websites for commodities and services, and vendor portals where both the vendors and entities pay fees to the vendor portal company. The consulting community loves this approach because it guarantees a recurring revenue stream for long, complex projects. By the end of an implementation, government agencies find themselves financially drained and locked into a system that has flaws and lacks functionality.
How do we differ, and why is BuySpeed the solution for you?
Difference #1 – BuySpeed was built specifically for public sector procurement by public sector professionals. Procurement is not a “one size fits all” business. We understand public sector business processes and their specific requirements concerning laws, transparency and accountability. With that knowledge, Periscope developed BuySpeed to be an effective, easy-to-use, cost conscious eProcurement/sourcing solution. In order to create efficiency and save costs, you need a solution specific to your needs. That’s why we build customizations directly into our base product as a part of BuySpeed, not as a “one-off” version that you can’t upgrade. By implementing a government specific solution, you will save substantial costs over time.
Difference #2 – We won’t show up and unload a bus full of consultants. We take a nimble and lean approach. Periscope understands that every dollar spent is a hard-earned taxpayer dollar. Our goal is to eliminate costs and eradicate waste, not create them. We don’t cash in on large consulting fees or change orders, and we don’t drag projects out to earn an extra buck. Periscope’s proven track record demonstrates how we continually implement projects on-time and on-budget.
Difference #3 – BuySpeed Works! You won’t see us cashing in on a feature we sold you but cannot deliver. Unlike most ERP systems, if we claim to do something, we actually do it. Our in-depth capabilities developed over 28 years include eProcurement, vendor management, sourcing, eCatalog, inventory, contract management, invoicing and business intelligence. Periscope also continues to invest in research and development. We’re constantly looking for ways we can improve to help lighten your workload. We take our research, enhance our product, and offer you free upgrades as part of our solution.
During my 20 years in the public sector, I have grown tired of public entities, which I admire and respect, continually being sold a bill of goods by large consulting companies and ERP vendors. That is why our team founded Periscope Holdings, Inc. I beg our public entities to jump off this money pit and give us a call. We will deliver on our promise of saving money, improving processes and increasing transparency.