Games Workshop once again battles scariest monster of all: ERP gone wrong
- Reference: 1673523043
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/01/12/old_foes_collide_as_games/
- Source link:
In 2020, [1]The Register revealed the Warhammer manufacturer was struggling with a Microsoft Dynamics ERP implementation, which was meant to finish going live later that year.
However, in its latest [2]half-year results [PDF], the UK-based company said: "Our global projects continue to be delayed – it remains an ongoing challenge to integrate new IT systems when we are still heavily reliant on working with our legacy IT systems. Finishing these projects and upgrading our systems continue to be a key area of focus. We are making some progress but it's costing us more time and money – we will remain cost conscious."
[3]
The document went on to describe "the challenges our relatively new global head of IT is dealing with."
[4]
[5]
"The team is starting to make some progress. They are feeling part of the solution and the broader team rather than a support function. The goal remains the same: our IT systems and infrastructure adapt and scale with the business as we grow - they’re currently holding us back. We will continue to invest in the team in the period ahead, the senior IT team must spend this investment wisely," the note to investors said.
Spending on the project dates to 2019 when investment in computer equipment and software went up to £3.7 million ($4.5 million) from £2.6 million ($3.15 million) in the previous financial year, largely owing to the ERP migration.
[6]
Later in 2020, the Nottingham-based injection moulding specialist said it had parted ways with its ERP implementation partner – a company The Register revealed as DXC. It would not name the new IS, despite our requests.
"We have made some good progress on implementing our European ERP system and we are working with a new partner to help achieve the completion of this long and complex project," a company report said.
[7]Amazon, Games Workshop announce Warhammer 40k film deal
[8]When ERP migrations go bad: Games Workshop says project issues are delaying refresh of 'dated' online store
[9]Total War: Warhammer , Blood Bowl and other Games Workshop table-to-screen delights
[10]Fantastic fantasy four-way fling – and family-friendly fun
Individuals close to the project suggested a team [11]has left DXC Technology to work with Games Workshop independently .
In 2021, the tiny character maker [12]launched another £500,000 ($605,000) at the project . "We have made some good progress on implementing our European ERP system and we are working hard to help achieve the completion of this long and complex project with £0.5m incurred in the period," a report said at the time.
The Register has contacted Games Workshop for comment.
[13]
Interest in the table-top figure manufacturer has increased since December 2022, [14]when Amazon reached an "agreement in principle" with Games Workshop, giving the online retailer, tech and media giant the film, television and merchandising rights to the company's sci-fi Warhammer 40,000 franchise, and signed up actor Henry Cavill, most recently seen as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher . ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/14/games_workshop_warns_of_risks_in_microsoft_dynamics_365_erp_project/
[2] https://investor.games-workshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-23-half-year-report-final.pdf
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/databases&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Y8A8tHMB7YzRtCEeHoXCkwAAAJc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/databases&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y8A8tHMB7YzRtCEeHoXCkwAAAJc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/databases&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Y8A8tHMB7YzRtCEeHoXCkwAAAJc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/databases&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y8A8tHMB7YzRtCEeHoXCkwAAAJc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/16/amazon_games_workshop_announce_warhammer/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/14/games_workshop_wants_to_freshen/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2015/09/22/game_workshop_games_just_released_and_in_the_pipeline/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2014/06/06/game_theory_fantasy_gaming_round_up/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/15/games_workshop_erp_saga/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/13/games_workshop_launches_05m_at/
[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/databases&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Y8A8tHMB7YzRtCEeHoXCkwAAAJc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/16/amazon_games_workshop_announce_warhammer/
[15] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
That's what happens when...
you don't allow your staff to perform the correct rituals and prays to the machine god.
Re: That's what happens when...
Or the plague god Nurgle is striking back
"Or the plague god Nurgle is striking back"
Cease your foul calumnies. I know a fair few tech support people and they all worship Slaanesh.
It'll be the same problems that afflicts many organisations implementing ERP, each department will have it's own requirements that either contradict other departments or pulls the implementation team in too many directions.
It's almost certain that most of the time has been wasted focusing on integrating legacy technology, so that the new technology can come online for one department, without the other departments shifting because they're not "ready" yet.
ERP implementation is an amazing way to show how siloed and bad the processes you thought worked smoothly really are.
And then to blame it on the ERP system
Amen brother!!
Amen Brother
see title
Simple Solution
Someone will buy a better 3rd party product and company and then re-brand it as their own by sticking their corporate logo on it. I'm sure this has been done before
Well this makes me feel great
We just kicked off an ERP migration from work.... is this my life now?
Re: Well this makes me feel great
Yes. Always and forever. Hail the Machine God
Re: Well this makes me feel great
*wanders off mutters about finding offerings this time of day*
Re: Well this makes me feel great
If the three full ERP projects that I've been through in my time, one being MS Dynamics, are any indication, then yes I'm afraid so.
Run for the hills and don't look back!
ERP The Cashslayer
You are lost and entangled in a thick dark forest of poorly integrated business systems. Roll the dice.
1 - 5 : You spend one million gold coins to break free but end up even more entangled. Roll again.
6 : You free yourself and then step straight into a new trap. Roll again.
The Horror
I've had to work with Microsoft Dynamics before, it's designed to burn money...
That said, Epicor is worse.
Re: The Horror
I'm waiting for someone to point out something that is "better".
Not holding my breath though.
That said, a tabletop game company needs an ERP system ?
Really ?
Re: The Horror
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/31/how-games-workshop-grew-to-become-more-profitable-than-google
Re: The Horror
GW are huge, 430 million pounds per annum!
"Roll to hit" indeed.
Re: The Horror
The problem is ERP is supposed to be the be-all , end-all, the way and the truth within any company, however name me one software product that's perfect and does exactly what's needed. Very few as compromises are always made, most are acceptable 'cos the implementation is often small scale and can survive. ERP however has to be "all things to all men", put up with people who've organically created the most horrendously intricate mess of processes and then you realsie that's happend across 17 unique depts in your own company!
Almost any ERP solution is screwed from the get-go as it's about to be dragged, beaten, torn, shredded, sewn back together and then finally put to work in a state that it can only just about function.
Re: The Horror
Someone from the C-suite can be the visionary while collecting requirements. No need to bother any workers about it.
Then the project can be wound down in complete silence when the implementation starts and people realise there is nothing they can do with multi-million system.
Properly handled ERP project takes years. Temptation to just quit it and purchase something that sounds easier from snake oil salesman is real.
Organisations will have to change the ways they work if they want full benefits from PDM. You can pick your poison but it will be painful anyway. If CEO is not a visionary that understands the value of the system, glhf.
Btw do you have time to talk about PLM (ERP+PDM)?
Catch-22?
Sounds like they should have used a decent ERP system to manage the accounting, procurement, project management, risk management, compliance, supply chain operations, etc, needed to implement a decent ERP system...