Before You Buy the Technology, Understand the Operation.
Independent Operational Technology & ERP Advisory
ERP, WMS, TMS and other major operational technology investments can reshape a business for years. The decision deserves an independent assessment before software vendors and implementation partners define the solution.
Schrader Advisory starts with the operation. We examine how work actually happens, where performance breaks down, how people are working around existing systems, what capabilities are genuinely missing, and what measurable value technology must create.
We represent the company making the investment.
Independent. Operations First. Vendor Neutral.
The Schrader Operational Technology Assessment
Before deciding what to buy, determine what actually needs to change.
Our assessment begins before software selection. We independently examine the operation, existing systems, processes, data, organizational structure and performance to determine whether technology is actually the constraint.
The objective is not to justify a new ERP. The objective is to give leadership an independent answer about what the business needs and why.
01 | DISCOVER
Align leadership on the business objectives, operating challenges and decisions driving the technology discussion.
02 | OBSERVE
Go into the operation and see how work actually happens, including manual processes, workarounds and system limitations.
03 | DIAGNOSE
Separate process, people, data, technology and organizational issues to identify the true root causes.
04 | BASELINE
Establish Day Zero performance and the operational and financial measures the investment is expected to improve.
05 | RECOMMEND
Define the right path: optimize, upgrade, augment, replace or stabilize the operation before investing.
A new ERP is one possible conclusion. It is not the predetermined conclusion.
What the Client Receives
An Independent Answer Leadership Can Act On.
The assessment gives executive leadership and the board a clear view of the current operation, the root causes behind performance and system issues, the capabilities the business actually requires, and the investment path we recommend.
What We Deliver
Executive Assessment
Clear findings and recommendations for leadership.
Current State & Root Cause Analysis
Where performance is breaking down and why.
Day Zero Performance Baseline
The operational and financial measures against which future value will be measured.
Business & Technology Requirements
What the operation actually needs the technology to accomplish.
Value Opportunity & Business Case
The measurable improvement opportunity and what portion genuinely depends on technology.
Technology Readiness & Risk
Operational, organizational, data and implementation risks that should be addressed.
Recommended Path
Optimize, upgrade, augment, replace or stabilize first.
90 / 180 / 365 Day Roadmap
What should happen next and in what sequence.
Your data. Your assessment. Your decision.
The client owns its business data and assessment deliverables. Schrader Advisory remains independent of software vendors and implementation partners. Our recommendation is based on the needs of the business, not on selling a particular solution.
What Happens After the Assessment
If Technology Is the Right Answer, We Stay on Your Side of the Table.
An independent assessment is only the beginning when technology investment is justified. Schrader Advisory can remain alongside leadership from requirements and vendor selection through implementation and post implementation value realization.
Select the Right Solution
We translate operational needs into business and technology requirements, develop the RFP, identify appropriate vendors and implementation partners, and manage an objective evaluation process.
Vendors demonstrate against your actual operating scenarios, not simply their standard sales presentation.
Requirements • RFP • Vendor Evaluation • Scripted Demonstrations • Commercial Review
Protect the Investment
Once implementation begins, Schrader Advisory serves as an independent owner's representative, helping leadership protect requirements, scope, operational readiness and the original business case.
The implementation partner implements the technology. We represent the business receiving it.
Scope • Governance • Testing • Data Readiness • Operational Readiness • Go Live
Measure the Value
After implementation, we return to the Day Zero baseline established before the investment and measure what actually changed.
Did service improve? Did inventory decline? Did productivity increase? Did working capital improve? Did the promised financial value actually materialize?
90 Day • 180 Day • 365 Day Value Realization Reviews
The project isn't successful because the system went live. It's successful when the business performs better.
Built for Complex Operating Businesses.
Schrader Advisory works with leadership teams making consequential technology decisions in operations where service, inventory, labor, capacity, cost and customer performance matter every day.
Where We Focus
Manufacturing
Distribution
Food & Beverage
Consumer Products
Wholesale
Multi Site Operations
Private Equity Portfolio Companies
When to Call Us
You're considering replacing or upgrading an ERP.
Growth or acquisitions have created disconnected systems.
Operations rely heavily on spreadsheets and manual workarounds.
You're evaluating WMS, TMS, planning, automation or other operational technology.
An implementation is already underway and leadership wants independent oversight.
A completed implementation isn't delivering the value that was promised.
The best time to call us is before the RFP. The second best time is before the problem gets more expensive.
Operators First. Technology Second.
We approach technology differently because our experience comes from running and transforming complex operations, not selling software. We understand what happens when systems, processes and operating reality don't align because we've been accountable for the results.
01 | SCALE
Enterprise Operating Experience
Senior operating and transformation leadership across large manufacturing and distribution networks, including environments spanning 350+ distribution centers, 50+ production facilities, 55,000+ employees and more than 1.3 billion cases annually.
02 | TRANSFORMATION
Major System Transformation
Led operational transformation and transition work involving SAP/CONA, network consolidation, facility transitions and large scale operating model change across the U.S. and Canada.
03 | RESULTS
Measured in Operating Outcomes
Experience improving service, accuracy, productivity and cost, including OTIF improvement from 96.1% to 98.9%, pick accuracy from 81% to 99.7%, and multimillion dollar operating cost reductions.
04 | INDEPENDENCE
No Software to Sell
Schrader Advisory does not need a particular platform to be the answer. Our role is to determine what the operation needs and represent the client's interests throughout the decision and transformation.