Why Do Bad Decisions Cost Millions – and How Can You Avoid Them?

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems are often seen as the holy grail of business digitalization—or at least, that’s what many believe. The hope is that buying an “ERP” will solve everything: from warehousing and accounting to customer service. The reality, however, is far more nuanced—and if you’re not aware of the most common misconceptions, an ERP system can not only fail to help but even hold your company back for years.

Myth #1: “ERP implementation is an IT project.”

This is the most common—and most expensive—misunderstanding. ERP is not just about installing software—it’s about organizing, or ideally rethinking and restructuring, the entire business operation.

The project is not really about technology—it’s about processes, responsibilities, and decision-making mechanisms. Every department is involved. If leadership fails to recognize this, they end up buying what looks like a tech project but is doomed to fail from the start.

Myth #2: “The system will adapt to us.”

The logic of most ERPs is based on standardization. Many failed implementations come from companies insisting on keeping their old, inefficient processes and trying to force them into the system.

The real question is: can the organization adapt to a standardized, streamlined operating model? If not, either the system breaks—or the budget does.

The exceptions are highly flexible systems or custom-built software. A flexible ERP can adapt up to 80–90% to the organization. A custom build can achieve 100% alignment—but at a much higher cost and long-term maintenance burden.

10xONE is one of these highly flexible systems.

Myth #3: “The more expensive the ERP, the better.”

A multi-million system is no guarantee of success—especially if it’s oversized or full of unnecessary features compared to the company’s actual needs.

ERP selection is not about prestige, but about business fit. A well-scoped, right-sized, modular solution delivers far more value than an overcomplicated global platform.

No one rents a 3,000-seat office building and pays the rent if they only have 30 or 50 employees.

Myth #4: “Once implemented, it will run on its own.”

Go-live is just the beginning. The real work comes afterwards: training, fine-tuning, error fixing, data quality management, feedback loops.

An ERP is not a self-driving car—it’s a high-performance machine that you need to learn to operate.

This is also where user experience matters: in systems like 10xONE, the interface is built for simplicity—if you can use Facebook or Instagram, you can use the software.

Another pitfall: without a clear operations and development strategy, the system will become obsolete or abandoned. That’s like buying a sports car and letting it rust in the garage.

Myth #5: “Users will learn it if they have to.”

No, they won’t. ERP success depends on user experience and internal leadership commitment.

If the system is too complex or users don’t see its value, resistance, workarounds, and hidden Excel files will dominate.

That’s why launching without a clear communication and training strategy is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

This is another reason why systems like 10xONE matter.

In Summary: How Should You Think About ERP?

ERP = organizational culture: Don’t just implement software—implement a way of working.
Start small, but plan big: Roll out step by step, but with a long-term vision.
Choose a flexible system: Like 10xONE, if you don’t want to be locked into rigid standards.
Choose an intuitive, ready-to-use system: So new employees don’t require endless onboarding.
Measure, learn, improve: Treat ERP as a living system, not a one-time investment. For example, 10xONE releases new updates weekly.

ERP can become the digital backbone of your business—but only if it’s introduced with strategy, realism, and clear business goals. Otherwise, it’s just another expensive system everyone will bypass.