Many waste management companies have a host of applications, including their line-of business software, but very little IT infrastructure to support them.  They spend inordinate amounts of money on server repair, network professionals and desktop upgrades in hopes of keeping the ship afloat.  When the system finally goes down, it then becomes obvious that the downtime not only disrupted their operation but eroded the faith their customers have in their business.  This is not the scenario mentioned above where technology saves you money.  The “head in the cloud” mindset now will cost them time, money, resources and their loyal customer base. Can you afford this to happen to your hauling operation?

Business owners need to get their heads out of the clouds and embrace an affordable solution: the cloud.  It is estimated that over a period of 13 years you could save over 66% off your technology budget if you leverage a cloud environment over traditional premise-based server systems. Allow technologists to take care of technology and you attend to your waste operation.  Protect your data from inclement weather, theft, or novice technicians.  Particularly with line-of-business software,  it can be cost prohibitive to purchase the software outright without seeking financing.  However, with typical cloud solutions, you can affordably lease applications with the assurance your data is still yours, but it is safer than you could ever make it!

Get your head out of the cloud and your business in the cloud.

Alpine Technology Corporation has been servicing the Waste Industry for over 35 years with powerful and comprehensive solutions for both their office and their trucks.  Their premier applications, AlpineLive, Visual RAMS Pro and Visual On-Route have saved companies hundreds of thousands of dollars.  You can purchase Alpine’s software or allow them to host it in their secure hosting facility in Denver, Colorado.  Call (888) 852-7267 or email info@rams-pro.com with questions.

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So, to stay consistent with the title, we must look at three aspects of ERP systems.

The Good
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), to those new to the software game, is a tool (application) used to integrate the data and processes of an organization into one single system. The many-times elusive “good” is apparent in the definition; its ability to integrate many processes into one single system. This is the most attractive aspect of ERP systems, hence the use of “enterprise”. Management experiences multiple applications on a daily basis that seemingly do not speak to one another and the notion of integration seems not only efficient, but financially sound.

The Bad
However, many times an ERP system may not be the best solution for an organization and could have many disadvantages. First, ERP systems are generally very expensive on account they include software, hardware, training, implementation, license, maintenance, consulting and other expenses that raise the cost of implementing an ERP System. Second, it is difficult to ascertain the success of implementing an ERP system with no tools or techniques available to exactly measure the return on investment. It is alarming to note the amount of time that is invested to implement an ERP system in an organization. In addition, workers have to shun their regular jobs and undertake training, which disturbs the regular functioning of the organization. Finally, the greatest impediment to successfully implementing an ERP project is the resistance of end users. Since the operators are used to using the legacy system they do not accept the new system easily, which could result in failure of the system and project.

The Ugly
Probably the main reason ERP systems fail is that the features and functionality of the system offers very limited customization and are often too rigid and too difficult to adopt the specific workflow and business process of many organizations. Re-engineering of business processes to fit the “industry standard” prescribed by the ERP system may lead to a loss of competitive advantage. Furthermore, the “industry standard” process prescribed by the vendor may not be the best practice followed by the company and could yield limited benefits. Many organizations cast away their “Line of Business” software, that brings them the features and functionality they need to remain competitive, only to waste substantial time, money and resources on pursuing a path, the ERP path, that rarely satisfies what organizations really need.

Based on the above, does this mean that ERP systems do not have a place in corporate America? No, there are specific organizations that such systems might benefit. However, over the years I have experienced multiple ERP implementations, in both small and large organizations, none of which were successful and were a drain on the company. It is important that every organization weigh the benefits and other alternatives carefully before deciding to implement an ERP system. It is never as easy as vendors make it sound.

Alpine Technology Corporation has been serving the waste industry for over 35 years with waste and route management software for both the office and the trucks.  Their office software,Visual RAMS-Pro, provides billing, work orders, container inventory, route management, customer and account management and much, much more. Their industry-leading truck solution, Visual On-Route, is far more than a mere routing software and allows the driver to be connected real-time to the office.  Visual On-Route keeps the drivers accountable while allowing haulers the ability to generate additional revenue streams and cut expenses through efficiencies.

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