TALKING

This dependency can stifle innovation and agility , as organizations are forced to follow a path dictated by the vendor , rather than one aligned with their own strategic objectives .

Third-party software support , however , mitigates these risks while driving innovation . Contrary to the perceived uncertainty of moving away from traditional vendors , third-party support can provide a more stable and controlled environment .

These providers specialize in maintaining and optimizing existing and legacy systems , extending their lifespan and ensuring they continue to meet the needs of the business without the disruptive cycle of mandatory upgrades and system overhauls .

Third-party support partners also bring a level of responsiveness and support for customizations and that traditional vendors do not match , offering solutions tailored to the specific needs of the business – whatever its size or operating industry – ensuring that ERP systems are not just maintained but optimized and aligned with the organization ’ s evolving goals .

This approach reduces the risk of operational disruptions and interoperability issues , which are common concerns when undergoing major system upgrades imposed by vendor timelines . breaches but also puts companies at odds with everevolving regulatory requirements .

The need for bespoke support is most critical when businesses are met with new government mandates affecting financial reporting or cybersecurity – or when vulnerabilities in the software are discovered .

Under the traditional vendor support model , businesses are often left to fend for themselves , as these vendors prioritize their latest offerings , leaving legacy systems in a support limbo .

This is where the role of third-party software support can really add value .

Unlike traditional vendor support , third-party providers are not tied to a specific product lifecycle . Their focus is on maintaining and securing the ERP systems currently in use by businesses , regardless of their age or version – an approach ensuring that companies are not forced into unnecessary and costly upgrades just to stay compliant .

Third-party software support providers offer a more agile and proactive approach to security and compliance , ensuring your critical vulnerabilities are addressed before they become exploitable . They know the regulatory landscapes and can tailor their support to align with specific industry requirements .

In addition , third-party support can alleviate the financial risk associated with vendor support contracts in providing far more competitive pricing , freeing up valuable resources that can be reinvested in strategic initiatives rather than being consumed by maintenance costs .

For procurement teams it ’ s about shifting the perception of risk from the fear of leaving a known vendor to the opportunity cost of stifling innovation and operational flexibility .

Security and compliance

Compliance and security concerns are often top of the list of perceived reasons to stay with the vendor ’ s in-house support .

When vendors shift their priorities to newer software releases , offering limited or sustaining support for older systems , it leaves many businesses in a precarious position – especially those relying on older or highly customized versions of ERP software .

The benefits extend well beyond direct financial savings .

Being able to reallocate both financial and human resources toward initiatives that drive strategic growth means that business leaders can venture into new market territories , fuel innovation or enhance the customer experience .

Freed from the constraints of rigid upgrade cycles and the end-of-life support timelines typically imposed by traditional ERP vendors , organizations are empowered to chart their own destiny .

This new found autonomy enables businesses to make decisions that are aligned with their specific strategic goals and adapt to evolving market conditions , rather than being tethered to vendordictated schedules .

Procurement teams understand that with a strategic application of third-party support , ERP maintenance can be transformed from a line-item expense into an innovation enabler .

The absence of new security patches for these legacy systems not only heightens the risk of cybersecurity

We believe that they ’ re well positioned to convince their IT and C-suite counterparts of this , too . p

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