Take Me to the Cloud: Recent Episodes
Withum
Are you a business professional who wants to holistically improve your business operations? You've come to the right place. Tune into our podcast series, "Take Me to the Cloud" to learn insights from our experts that combine cloud systems, operations, supply chain and finance
With the rise of digital technologies, data has become a critical tool for every business – at every stage of growth. Get ready to dive in as Withum's Wally Merkas welcomes Michael Faigen, President and CEO of Stainless Steel Coatings, Inc., the Makers of STEEL-IT Brand Coatings. A unique line of high-performance coatings, STEEL-IT is celebrating 50 years of transforming metal's lifespan. Learn how data analytics sharpened their understanding of customer preferences, fueling their adaptability, brand awareness and market expansion.
Withum’s NetSuite team is ready to touch down in Las Vegas for SuiteWorld on September 9 - 12, 2024! It’s Oracle NetSuite’s largest annual gathering, and this year’s theme is “All Systems Grow.” Listen in as our consultants Melissa Holton, Riley Larsen and Wendy Lin share their SuiteWorld experiences and what you can get out of this year’s conference.
Did you know that integrating your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with your e-commerce business allows you to be more competitive and scalable? There are various products and solutions to future-proof your organization, such as NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce and SuiteCommerce Advance. Our Withum team members Wendy Lin and Rifat Karim welcome Joaquin Varela and Santiago Juan from UnlockCommerce for this special episode. Tune in as they navigate current trends and challenges and share their insights as seasoned experts.
Manufacturers struggle to compare their job costs to their projected profits. Withum’s CRM and ERP Consulting Services Team members Wally Merkas, Melissa Holton and Riley Larsen service manufacturers and support their ERP evolution. Tune in as they break down the types of job costing, including standard costing, and relevant industry examples.
Conversational AI tools like ChatGPT have taken the world by storm. E-commerce businesses across the globe are implementing it to personalize and streamline customer conversations on their website. Withum’s Management Consulting Team is here to guide you through using AI to support and grow your e-commerce business. Tune in as Mars Lomtakul, Wendy Lin and Luis Palmitesta discuss the benefits of AI for e-commerce businesses.
Businesses must proactively approach their year-end accounting and financial reporting procedures as 2023 quickly comes to a close. Our host, Melissa Holton, welcomes Eric Lowe from Withum’s Outsourced Accounting Systems and Services (OASyS) team. They know this is a daunting task, so listen in on their best practices to help you achieve a successful close and prepare for the year-end audit.
Project management tools have evolved significantly over the years, adapting to the changing needs of businesses and their teams. Today, there’s an emphasis on implementing agile project management tools with modern techniques to benefit organizations and provide more visibility to leadership. Our host Melissa Holton welcomes back one of Withum’s Scrum masters, Kim Gordon, for this lively episode. They discuss what software is trending and how to remain in control of your project management.
Project management is a priority for most businesses. However, many are still unaware that an ERP solution could make managing their projects easier. Join host Melissa Holton and Withum’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central experts, Josh Stove and Will Gutekunst, as they share their experiences and best practices on how to consolidate project processes to achieve organizational efficiencies.
As technology advances and the demand for flexible payment options grows, your e-commerce business must perform at its best to stay ahead of the competition. Utilizing an ERP system such as NetSuite allows for faster and safer payment processing. Tune in as Withum's consultants Melissa Holton, Luis Palmitesta and Melanie Saunders welcome special guest Jeremy Collins, VP of Strategic Partnerships at MerchantE. They discuss the latest payment trends and e-commerce solutions their clients implement for their long-term success.
Listen in as host Melissa Holton and guests Darryl Woodworth and Luis Palmitesta dive into the latest NetSuite release, unveiling the game-changing updates and features that will enhance your business operations. Discover how these enhancements can streamline your processes, boost efficiency, and keep your organization at the forefront of ERP technology.
Withum’s ERP team is counting down the days until SuiteWorld on October 16-19th! It’s Oracle NetSuite’s largest annual gathering in Las Vegas – and this year, we’re celebrating 25 years of NetSuite. Tune in as our industry professionals Chris Higgins, Christina Barea, Sasha Tchulkova and Alexis Blacknik share their insights and what they’re looking forward to most.
Technology continues to evolve and adapt to marketplace needs. Sage Intacct is no different, and its latest release has a handful of new features. From an enhanced vendor approval process to an AI-powered timesheet solution, Withum has you covered. Tune in as industry expert Sumaiya Alam-Stribling shares how Sage Intacct’s R3 updates will immediately benefit your finance department.
Technology plays a prominent role in helping finance leaders achieve success. Sage Intacct’s sophisticated platform enables small business CFOs and controllers to strategically grow their business. With customized KPI dashboards, real-time data insights and numerous functionality benefits, their valuable time can be spent elsewhere. Hear why Withum’s industry experts Kim Gordon and Sumaiya Alam-Stribling prefer automating finance and accounting processes with Sage Intacct.
Warehouse management has evolved to support the rapid growth of technology and the increased demand for goods and services. Manufacturers need real-time reports and visibility to maintain accurate inventory, solve supply chain challenges and make informed decisions. Host Melissa Holton welcomes RF-SMART’s Ashley Cox to discuss how modern cloud technology like NetSuite ERP and warehouse management systems (WMS) can be your single source of truth.
In recent years, the advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) have surpassed concerns raised by businesses. However, this doesn't imply that automation technology is without its drawbacks. Host Melissa Holton welcomes back Charlie Callari for a timely episode. Tune in to learn more about the pros and cons of AI, including ChatGPT, in today's modern workplaces.
Revenue accounting for software, technology and emerging growth companies can be challenging. The type of revenue recognition also varies depending on the nature of the organization. Host Melissa Holton welcomes back Withum’s Chris Higgins and special guest David Hansell. They discuss the current shift to ASC 606 and its impact on business operations.
With workforces remaining remote, project management tools are crucial for keeping teams connected and on track. Software such as Miro can ensure communication is effective and collaboration is efficient. Each platform has its own strengths, so choosing one that works best for your business needs is critical. Join Withum’s newly certified Scrum masters, Melissa Holton and Kim Gordon, as they share their experiences embracing workflow technology.
If you're familiar with Oracle NetSuite, you know it's that time of year and no, we're not talking taxes. Each year NetSuite delivers two product releases via automatic updates to all users bringing new enhancements and capabilities. The first release of 2023 is here! In this episode, Take Me to the Cloud host Melissa Holton welcomes certified NetSuite professionals Chris Higgins, Luis Palmitesta and Darryl Woodworth, who bring over 30 years of combined NetSuite experience to Withum. Listen in as they breakdown exciting new upgrades and features that enhance the functionality of the ERP platform.
Businesses in the B2B e-commerce space have seen substantial growth in sales, with no signs of slowing down. To keep up, not only are e-commerce businesses expected to invest in their online storefront, but they also need to provide excellent customer service. Join Withum’s experts Mars Lomtakul, Luis Palmitesta and Wendy Lin as they dive into emerging trends that can drive a change in strategy and elevate your organization.
The benefits of a modern e-commerce platform can bring in significant revenue and reduce operating costs. Withum’s industry experts Melanie Saunders and Wendy Lin join host Melissa Holton to welcome special guest TJ Gamble. TJ is the CEO of Jamersan and has been building quality e-commerce sites for over ten years. Listen in as they discuss common client pain points and what solutions are available for organizations.
Before ringing in the new year, accounting and finance departments face the challenge of closing their books. It’s not too late to automate and integrate your financial close process to provide faster and more accurate reporting. Host Melissa Holton welcomes back Chris Higgins, who manages Withum’s NetSuite Practice. Tune in to learn how to reduce annual bottlenecks and unlock greater efficiency with modern software.
Businesses – regardless of industry – need to take advantage of innovative, user-friendly ERP solutions to keep up with demand. In this episode, host Melissa Holton welcomes special guest Charlie Callari, Director of Customer Solutions at NLX. NLX’s AI software helps organizations transform customer contact into automated, personalized self-service experiences. Tune in to hear how Withum and NLX work together with NetSuite solutions to enhance customer experiences.
Withum's Management Consulting Team had a great time at SuiteWorld 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada! Listen in as host Melissa Holton sits down with Mon Cheri Bridals' Jami Mensch and Angelica Silverio. They discuss their experience at SuiteWorld and how they successfully implemented NetSuite to accommodate their growth.
Withum is currently attending SuiteWorld 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada! Our Management Consulting Team members Melissa Holton and Luis Palmitesta met with RF-Smart's Lawrence Cooper. Listen in as they discuss how the native application within NetSuite solves common business problems and what RF-Smart's new shipping product brings to the table.
Withum is currently attending SuiteWorld 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada! Our Management Consulting Team members Melissa Holton and Chris Higgins met with Satori Reporting's Founder and CEO, Josh LaSov. Tune in to learn more about the only pre-built Power BI reporting solution for NetSuite that companies quickly implement for maximum reporting capabilities.
Modern business owners recognize that customer relationship management (CRM) systems are fundamental to accommodating rapid growth and strengthening external relationships. With numerous options available, many are unsure which one is the best fit for their company. Tune in as Withum’s Management Consulting Team Members Josh Stove, Luis Palmitesta, Mars Lomtakul and Angie Ng discuss two major industry players and the value they bring to the table: NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Headless commerce is rapidly transforming how companies do business online. Digital experiences are solely owned by the businesses and curated to users, thanks to flexible front-end development. In this episode, Wally Merkas, Mars Lomtakul and Melanie Saunders of Withum’s Management Consulting Team discuss the long-term economic and technical benefits of headless commerce.
This episode is an exciting one. Meet our new Take Me to the Cloud host, Melissa Holton, and get a scoop into this year’s Oracle NetSuite's largest annual gathering of the NetSuite community happening September 27-30 in Las Vegas! Hear the unique reasons why you should attend and what to expect, even if you can’t join in person.
The medical and recreational cannabis industry has emerged into segregated markets providing various business opportunities. Withum’s Management Consulting Team Members Walter Merkas and Kim Gordon dive in headfirst to discuss the operational facets of cannabis. From maturity models to compliance hurdles, learn how to get ahead of the curve and measure your short and long-term wins.
Omnichannel customer experience has become the next big step in the e-commerce roadmap. It may sound daunting initially, but planning ahead and setting achievable goals is the key to success. Listen in as Wally Merkas, Melanie Saunders and Wendy Lin of Withum's Management Consulting team share their recommendations on easing into omnichannel.
Many small to medium-sized businesses experience pain points in their financial close processes. A long, drawn-out process results in accounting and finance teams running on a proverbial hamster wheel. Withum’s Management Consulting team members Melissa Holton and Chris Higgins discuss the value of being mindful of your resources. They also share their tips and tricks to ensure timely completion every month.
Risk management is not a simple checklist, but rather a dynamic system of processes that work and live together to provide conscious awareness. Listen in as Brad Smolen, Joe Riccie and Jones Yiu from Withum's Management Consulting team discuss their experiences with risk management. They will also break down best practices for businesses and the value behind this investment.
There was a time when we thought Robotic Process Automation would replace our jobs. In this episode, Joe Riccie welcomes Wilton Rogers III, Founder, President and CEO of Simply Automate to debunk that theory and share how automation is your pathway to modernization and innovation.
From accelerated digitization to expanded competition, numerous disruptive forces affect distributors. Kim Gordon welcomes Chris Higgins and Luis Palmitesta to discuss how consumers drive the market today. Hear how distributors use analytics, e-commerce and CRM technologies to institute new business practices, strategies and insights.
As the new year kicks off, it is time to ramp up your resource management planning (RMP). Our Management Consulting team discusses the basic principles and shares how RMP can benefit your organization in this episode. Tune in as Brad Smolen, Joe Riccie and Jones Yiu speak about their experiences in project management and what to consider in your own resource management plan.
In this episode, we welcome back Tom Burns and Christian DiRusso from Withum's Management Consulting Team. They break down the importance of financial visibility and how your organization’s management can work together to improve it. Hear their take on current challenges and what tools are deemed essential for success.
Withum’s Management Consulting team members Tom Burns and Christian DiRusso discuss what app-centricity is and what our app-centric economy looks like today. The vast, ever-growing marketplace of software tools and ERP applications is exciting but can be intimidating. Tune in to learn about the benefits of expanding your accounting software and where to start.
In this episode, Kim Gordon is joined by Walter Merkas and Jones Yiu from Withum's Management Consulting Team. They discuss what point solutions are and their advantages and disadvantages for organizations.
Listen in as they break down the big picture of this specialized software and compare it to integrated suite solutions.
Withum’s Joe Riccie welcomes Finexio’s Founder and CEO, Ernest Rolfson as they discuss today’s payment challenges in multiple industries and controls and why traditional payment processes are slowing down operations and causing lost labor time.
They provide feedback on benefits of B2B electronification and adding intelligence and automation to accounts payable to drive innovation, process improvement and payment adoption.
Considering a merger or acquisition? In this episode Kim Gordon and Wally Merkas discuss M&A activities from the buyer side when it comes to IT due diligence.
What should the acquirer think about regarding their target’s IT systems? How do they assess and mitigate overall risk of the acquisition? Listen in for questions to ask and best strategies to consider.
Dave Crouch and Brad Gustavesen from Slatwall Commerce join Kim Gordon and Wally Merkas to talk about the pressure distributors are facing to go digital. Mid-market distributors and manufacturers are struggling to get information on the supply side and the demand side as customer expectations are changing.
Hear their take on current challenges in B2B commerce and why there is such a demand to provide a digital channel to customers.
Kim Gordon and Wally Merkas welcome back Dave and Brad from Slatwall to break down challenges of implementing an ecommerce project. They address where to start, the internal resources you’ll need, the state of your data, storefront and project scope, cost and much more.
In this episode, featuring our guests Dave Crouch and Brad Gustavesen from Slatwall Commerce, we look at headless commerce and the functionality and flexibility it provides to B2B ecommerce.
Take a listen to learn what headless commerce is, how you can leverage existing systems without having to replace or highly customize them and what it can bring to the table for your business.
Kim Gordon continues our discussion on project management with Walter Merkas and Yaffa Rabkin. What role does a successful project manager play in an ERP implementation project and what skills do they need to employ to keep the project on track? Find out in this episode.
In this episode, we shift gears and look at project management when it relates to ERP implementations. ERP implementation projects vary in complexity and may require adaptability of your project management approach.
Kim Gordon, Walter Merkas and Yaffa Rabkin share insights around setting goals, project approaches and what does “done” really look like for this type of project with varying complexities. Take a listen to gain best practices to make your ERP implementation project a success.
Today’s state of operations in food and beverage manufacturing companies has created a need for leadership to evaluate their core ERP systems.
In this episode, Walter Merkas welcomes back Steve Gignac and John Shepperson from SWK Technologies to share what they’re seeing in the marketplace and discuss the impacts of outdated technology on evolving consumer expectations.
To wrap up our series on the food and beverage industry, Kim Gordon sits down with Steve Gignac, Director of Solution Architecture of Enterprise Solutions, and John Shepperson, Senior VP Business Development for SWK Technologies to examine the uncertainty across the industry today.
They discuss how business models are changing, assess the state of the food industry and introduce ideas for planning and preparing for change.
In this episode, we welcome back John Shepperson, Senior VP Business Development at SWK Technologies and a special guest Nick Barron. Nick is a Manager of Information Technology at Marathon Ventures, a full-service processing, manufacturing, packaging and marketing company for foods and beverages.
John and Nick discuss disruptions Marathon Ventures faced in their supply chain during the pandemic and what the organization has done to overcome these challenges.
Withum's Kim Gordon welcomes back John Shepperson, Senior VP Business Development and Joe Tortorella, Solution Architect, from SWK Technologies, to talk about the importance of inventory visibility for your business.
They cover how to identify visibility issues, why you need increased visibility and benefits, blockers and challenges faced when trying to increase visibility, whether certain technology help achieve smart and effective inventory planning.
Together Steve Gignac, Director of Solution Architecture of Enterprise Solutions, and John Shepperson, Senior VP Business Development for SWK Technologies, bring 50+ years’ experience in the food and beverage industry to this episode.
Listen in as they take a further look at the new food safety blueprint, critical tracking events, cost of manual processes and tracking paper as well as benefits of electronic documentation for businesses in the industry.
The auction process consists of several phases and is a unique blend of sales, valuation, e commerce, and warehousing that makes this a distinct model. In this episode, Walter Merkas and Kim Gordon break down the process into pre-auction, auction and post-auction to give our listeners insight into elements you need to consider in all three phases to accomplish a smooth operation – no matter the type of auction house.
We’re changing things up a bit in this episode to take a look at an area that has surely been shaken up by last year’s events – supply chain. Walter Merkas and Christian DiRusso take a look into supply chains and how cost to serve comes into play to improved profitability. They break down and analyze customers, products and costs.
In this episode, we’re kicking off a series on insights in the Food and Beverage industry. Our host Kim Gordon welcomes Steve Gignac from SWK Technologies, Director of Solution Architecture of Enterprise Solutions, who brings to the conversation 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry operations.
Kim and Steve discuss trends in traceability and its correlation to the biggest risk and compliance factors in the industry, new/proposed FDA regulations and their importance, compliance techniques and how technology can play into protecting consumers more than ever before.
Kim Gordon welcomes back Steve Gignac from SWK Technologies, Director of Solution Architecture of Enterprise Solutions. Kim and Steve have a great conversation on critical tracking events, FDA regulations, and how traceability plays a role. Learn more about traceability on our next episode with John Shepperson from SWK Technologies.
In our last episode, we defined the auction process and the phases that play into it. To follow up on that, Kim Gordon and Walter Merkas meet again to look at ways to enable a smooth auction process, creating flexibility and efficiently connecting all parties involved. Listen in as they make a business case for cloud solutions which can present cost saving, business agility, mobility, and scalability.
An unfortunate supply chain challenge today is lack of global resilience and sustainability. As supply chain and operations are becoming more costly, supply chains are breaking down in the face of multi-country disruptions. Is digitization of supply chains the answer? In this episode, Walter Merkas and Kim Gordon discuss today’s supply chain trends and challenges and look into the potential causes and solutions to this disruption.
In this episode, Christian DiRusso, Kim Gordon and Alex LaMalfa look at a topic that has become very important for organizations during the pandemic – spend management. They define spend management and its function in a business and suggest best practices. They also take a look at some uses cases to showcase benefits of a well-developed spend management system.
In an ever-changing business climate, your company can be impacted both positively and negatively which requires real time data at a moment’s notice. Meet FAST!
Alex LaMalfa, Outsourced Accounting Systems and Services, and Christian DiRusso, Business and Management Consulting, introduce Kim Gordon and our listeners to a new practice – Financial Planning and Analysis as a Service. Learn what Withum FAST is and how it provides a stress-free solution of a perfectly framed financial picture, saving companies valuable time and money.
What does cloud transformation mean to you? What does it entail? Learn about our Customer Journey approach and how you can get on the path to modernization with Withum’s Management Consulting Team of Joe Riccie, Walter Merkas and Kim Gordon.
In this episode, we introduce our Take Me to the Cloud podcast series. Listen in as we discuss how the cloud is much more than technology - it is a mindset. It is the key to modernization and innovation. Joe Riccie, Walter Merkas and Kim Gordon from Withum's Management Consulting Team share how the cloud contributes to a secure, productive, and collaborative remote work environment.