Infor is currently caught in a legal battle with one of its health care clients regarding disparity between the claimed "seamless system" and the company's lengthy data transfer process between two independent modules. Lawson is also currently fighting a lawsuit regarding price gouging. One if their metal manufacturing client claims that Infor is charging "absurd" fees above and beyond its original purchasing costs. Infor recently purchased Lawson and is currently working on a joint venture with Salesforce.

This type of acquisition and software cooperation mimics the growth of Microsoft Dynamics; it is growth through acquisition instead of development. There are several factors an end customer should be wary of when choosing to use this type of software.

• Pricing - If you don't already have the software, it may cost more to purchase it. If you are already a user, watch out for rising support and maintenance costs.


• "Integration" - With Frankenstein software, the definition of "integrated" needs further scrutiny. Integrated may mean built into the same software OR it could mean stitched together by the company or a third party. This can be the case with software being sold by the developer or by a consolidator. If it can be sold in separate pieces, look twice. Although it can be done effectively, the process can be complicated, lengthy, and costly. The Microsoft Dynamics suite has had time to iron these creases out, but the fact remains that since it was built on acquisitions, there is a whole industry of software created solely to bridge the inherent gaps in functionality.


• Support - Who supports this software? When I have an issue with the system, who will be available AND give me the most accurate answer? The perfect example of this is Lawson's response to the lawsuit alleging delayed communication to key problems during the implementation stage. The company said it was "distracted" by the merger.

Other valid questions include who owns the product knowledge and what is the intended life of the software?

Carillon ERP has been fully integrated with 16 key functions since it was developed 20 years ago. Even the first versions of Carillon ERP were intended to provide clients with up to date information with no batch processing necessary. We have never lost a customer due to price, and our support is US based with one of the fastest response rates. Our unique approach to support is to cut out the automated phone services and key pad maze, and put the client directly in touch with the developers of the ERP software. Carillon Financials Corporation is the sole developer of Carillon ERP and our software is sold as a complete package with the ability to turn the functions on and off depending on client needs. Please contact us for further information on any part of this article or our software.