• AUGUST 2026 • 19 ERP Roulette | Must Read “We opted for a layered tech stack instead of a single ERP solution model to match solutions to specific problems,” says Kate Alavez, MAS, president of PromoShop and a member of the PPAI Board of Directors. “Our strategy is based on the belief that the industry will continue to evolve in the data space, necessitating a multi-tiered solution with foundational data exchanges that benefit the entire supply chain.” Illini/Altco wanted to move toward greater digital connectivity, including the ability to eventually support PromoStandards integration, which is something that requires a modern ERP as its foundation. “Our proprietary system lacked the flexibility and remote accessibility we needed to support our growing operations,” says Sabrina Wilt, director of product development and marketing at Illini. “Overall, we needed a platform that could evolve with us and meet today’s business expectations.” Illini, chose business services member NetSuite, one of the most popular ERP systems in the world. Since implementation, Wilt says the firm has seen improved reporting, more accurate data and much better visibility across departments. “The system’s ability to adapt to evolving workflows has created real value for our team and our customers,” Wilt says. ePromos Promotional Products, which consistently receives High Marks in Innovation, also chose NetSuite because it met many critical requirements, including industry tool integrations and built-in sales functionalities. “We sought a platform that would boost our sales team’s productivity by simplifying the ordering process, allowing them to focus more on selling rather than navigating a complex, multi-step order entry system,” say ePromos co-owners Marc Puglisi, CEO, and Christine Puglisi, chief marketing officer. Since implementation, ePromos has realized significant improvements in both sales and operations, particularly in managing orders and quotes, and its data storage capabilities have been enhanced, according to the duo. Moreover, the ability to integrate with previously incompatible tools has dramatically improved cross-departmental processes, resulting in greater overall efficiency. “The platform’s flexibility allowed us to customize the out-of-the-box solution to align closely with our organizational style and operational needs, making it an excellent fit for our business,” the duo says. Meanwhile, The Magnet Group’s previous ERP system was a combination of two purchase packages and a home-grown application. Although they served the company well for many years, the architecture of those systems didn’t translate well into an e-commerce business environment, according to CIO Jonas Temple. As a result, the Alpharetta, Georgiabased firm selected Odoo as its new ERP. “We’ve streamlined the technology stack required to support our business and folded numerous ‘silo’ applications into Odoo,” Temple says. “Because of its capabilities, we’ve eliminated paper job packets that would be carried from one department to another. “We’ve rolled out a new website generated by our Odoo environment and now host our ERP in the cloud so a power loss at our main data center doesn’t take the entire company down. We’ve also automated product data feeds to PromoStandards and SAGE. “I could go on and on…” ‘Real Learning Curve’ Of course, as Brungart attests, ERP transformations can be challenging. Typical headaches include high upfront costs, complex customization needs and timeconsuming data migration. Plus, organizations often face employee resistance due to changes in workflows, which can require extensive training. “If your business is complex, and ours definitely is, then understand this: Nothing in your organization will be untouched,” says Todd Pottebaum, MAS+, president of Quality Resource Group and the 2026 recipient of the PPAI Distinguished Service Award. As part of an agreement reached in 2022, PPAI members receive preferred pricing on new subscription services and are offered networking opportunities with fellow NetSuite users.
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