Steve Epner started out as a computer operator in 1966, started his own consulting firm in 1976, and has been a contributor to the distribution industry since the 1980s. Steve is the founder of the Brown Smith Wallace Consulting Group and a candidate for a Master's of Science Degree in Industrial Technology at Purdue University. Most importantly, he has the reputation for making technology understandable for mere mortals and busy executives. en-us http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134.html?nid=3961 Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use May 14, 2008 http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1210025321.html?nid=3961 It is not very often that a whole organization can take advantage of trade show education. Normally, only the top executives get to go and listen. This time it is different. Every company can attend the education sessions at the Virtual Technology Show for free, right from your own office. Here is t… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1260021526.html?nid=3961 Continuing with my focus on innovation, I want to ask a question: "Are industrial distributors innovative?" Certainly, we still have many similarities to the original peddlers who wondered across the country in centuries past. But there is a lot of new as well. So, are we an innova… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1630020563.html?nid=3961 As Innovator in Residence at Saint Louis University, I am often asked to define the difference between innovation and entrepreneurship. These two complimentary modes of action are often confused. So, what is the difference? And what can happen if they get together? Innovations can be large or sm… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/80019008.html?nid=3961 "Best practices" is one of those buzz-word terms that get lots of press, generate lots of conversations and end up creating a minimal amount of positive change. Why? Because most business people want a silver bullet. They want an easy and guaranteed answer. They want someone to tell them w… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/30016403.html?nid=3961 We have seen a great deal of consolidation in the software side of the distribution industry. Prophet 21 was buying everyone up and then they got acquired. Infor started as a West German company named Agilisys three years ago and is now generating over $3 billion in revenue. Eclipse got purchased fo… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/820013282.html?nid=3961 Post Katrina, you would think that software vendors would get the need for disaster recovery. I will keep the name of the offending vendor secret for the time being, but here is a story from a recent negotiating session that blew me away. The client was ready to sign a fairly large contract to r… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1760011176.html?nid=3961 I negotiate many contracts for clients. Over the years there have been many changes. Over the next few weeks, I will be posting comments related to contract negotiations for ERP software that have surfaced lately. In all cases, I welcome the feedback from our software friends as to what is to be exp… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/90008409.html?nid=3961 The three letters ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) have come to represent what everyone seeks in a computer system. For most distributors, this is a good starting point. For some, it may be all you need. But there is so much more out there. “Best Of Breed” means you buy functionality… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1490007149.html?nid=3961 No, it is not going to be as bad. Only a few glitches in some unusual places. Still, do not ignore March 11, 2007. This is the new start date for Daylight Savings Time. The Government decided an earlier change would save power. It is not a big deal – unless you rely on clocks for the right tim… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1660006966.html?nid=3961 Is the Supply Chain a viable method for moving products in the twenty first century? It was developed so long ago, I am not sure anyone can pin point the exact beginning. The chain represents a linear process that moves raw materials and resources from extraction through a manufacturing capability t… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1280006528.html?nid=3961 Years ago, I remember asking my kids about what they were learning in school. So, I am turning the tables and I will tell you what I have been learning at Purdue. The course of study is aimed at full time executives in manufacturing and distribution. For more information on the program, call Mark Sc… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/1960006196.html?nid=3961 Years ago, I remember asking my kids about what they were learning in school. So, I am turning the tables and I will tell you what I have been learning at Purdue. The course of study is aimed at full time executives in manufacturing and distribution. For more information on the program, call Mark Sc… http://www.inddist.com/blog/1340000134/post/700005870.html?nid=3961 Outside the box thinking is so 1990. Outside the company thinking is very much what we need to work on today. No successful company is an island. We will explore what it takes to think about your trading partners when making process and system decisions. But, OUTSIDE is not the whole story. What e…