Enterprise resource planning competence centres: a case study

Abstract

Purpose To describe the establishment of a Swedish enterprise resource planning (ERP) competence centre (CC), with assistance from Finnish colleagues and modelled on their CC. Design/methodology/approach By outlining the input of Finnish colleagues and using the concept of the Finnish ERP CC, develops the history of the establishment of the Swedish model during 2001‐2003. Findings Following a European IT consultancy company building a new Baan CC in Sweden brings new lessons from the field. Reasons for failure were shown to be: a dropping market, high entry barriers and an underestimation of resources needed for building a new ERP CC. Barriers preventing success in the ERP business were found. Practical implications Corporate templates, migrated sites combined with aggressive competitors and demanding price conscious customers have changed the ERP maintenance business and made the organisation hierarchical. Difficulties for new entrants in the ERP service business where customers pick and change supplier. Originality/value Presented a unique case study that outlines and discusses the mentorship between Swedish and Finnish ERP CC initiatives.