Q&A with our ERP Newb
We believe that epic ERP is just that, epic! So, to put it to the test, we thought we would ask our recently recruited Strategic Account Manager, Nicolas Baker, his thoughts about the company, his new team, and the industry we call home!
epic: So, Nic, tell us about your first day and first impressions of working at epic.
Nic: I have had the very fortunate experience of having worked with epic over the past few years, as a supplier, so I already knew some of the wonderful team when I walked in for the first time as an official team member. It was initially a worry for me, leaving a group of people that I had grown incredibly close to over the last few years, but the guys here have done an amazing job of making this feel like home. Working closely with various technology companies in the past and having been involved in the development of numerous digital, online, mobile and app projects has prepared me well for this new challenge, but there is certainly a lot to learn about ERP and business software that I am very much looking forward to.
epic: What do you have to say about the epic ERP approach?
Nic: These guys are seriously passionate about what they do. The moment you walk through the door, you encounter innovation, from the connected factory demo at reception to the proprietary Signature Methodology we employ as a project management philosophy. I learnt quickly that epic is driven by a desire to help their clients achieve greatness and this is done using their trusted implementation schedule, which encompasses five steps to mitigate risk and ensure quality delivery (Prepare, Plan, Design, Validate, Deploy).
epic: How have you found your new colleagues?
Nic: My first impression was that these guys know how to play hard and work hard. It’s a team comprising exceptionally clever people, from engineers, to MBA graduates, to doctors and even a pilot! They are at the coalface of what is an intensely exciting industry, pushing boundaries with what ERP implementations can do, ensuring the perfect fit to client requirements. They are happy to roll up sleeves and get their hands dirty, which is something that suits me perfectly! Having said that, the team is not afraid to let their hair down at a Friday braai with a couple beers and the light jesting that naturally comes with them.
epic: So, Nic, tell us about the transition to the ERP industry?
Nic: As mentioned, I was not new to the technology space, being heavily involved in custom development solutions at my previous company. Having said that, the ERP industry is an intensely competitive environment, with some massive household names like Epicor, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. However, I believe that epic ERP has strong differentiators, like being truly vendor agnostic and having invested in the skillset to navigate this incredibly dynamic industry. The fact that we have a team of highly qualified specialist consultants in-house that can roll out various ERP solutions definitely gives us an edge. This, married to a singular focus on meeting and exceeding client expectations puts us ahead of the competition.
epic: Lastly, what do you hope to achieve while at epic ERP?
Nic: epic’s executive team have a long and storied history in the ERP industry, with 75 years of cumulative experience. It’s safe to say that our heritage is rooted firmly in ERP and, as a result, we have vast competence in delivering full lifecycle projects across various industries, deploying the best fit for purpose solutions that can only be achieved by being truly vendor agnostic. I aim to augment this offering by providing clients with service delivery that matches our dedication and innovative spirit. My hope is to quickly apply my technical understanding to the solutions we offer and become an asset to our clients, translating their needs into actions, providing solutions expediently and effectively, while building meaningful relationships. In addition, I hope to identify opportunities that contribute strategically to their business goals, bringing efficiency and ultimately ensuring ROI.
There you have it, proof that epic ERP lives and breathes innovation, teamwork, and excellence at all levels, delivering on the epic promise.
