Cio Bulletin
At HandsFree ERP, the mission is clear: turn ERP challenges into strategic wins through grounded, actionable guidance. ERP projects often stumble, not because the technology is flawed, but because the people, plans, and processes behind them aren’t aligned. Deadlines are missed, budgets are exceeded, teams struggle with adoption, and the end results fall short of business goals. These are the very issues HandsFree ERP was built to solve.
Recognizing a gap between traditional ERP advice and the realities organizations face, the founders set out to create a different kind of support system, one that is rooted in real-world experience rather than theory. Many strategies sound good on paper but fail in practice. HandsFree ERP bridges that gap with a proven, practical framework.
Their approach centers on three pillars: aligning company culture from the outset, addressing critical pre-ERP projects before software selection, and guiding teams through clear, step-by-step implementation support. The result? ERP projects that are more predictable, better adopted, and strategically aligned with business goals.
CIO Bulletin had the privilege of interviewing Peter Joeckel, Founder and President of HandsFree ERP, who shared profound insights into the company’s mission-driven approach. With over 100 years of combined expertise, HandsFree ERP is committed to empowering clients with seamless ERP implementations, delivering efficient and effective project execution through expert guidance and innovative solutions.
The Inception of HandsFree ERP
Peter Joeckel’s deep understanding of enterprise systems and the frequent pitfalls businesses face during ERP implementations—served as the bedrock for what is now a trusted name in the industry.
Reflecting on the company’s origins, Joeckel shared:
“HandsFree ERP was founded in response to the recurring failures and inefficiencies in ERP implementations. We recognized that much of the available advice was too generic and disconnected from real business challenges.”
What began as a response to widespread frustration quickly evolved into a purpose-driven mission. The team at HandsFree ERP developed a practical, experience-based framework, one that goes beyond cookie-cutter solutions to truly understand the cultural and operational nuances of each client.
“We created a practical, experience-based framework that focuses on aligning company culture, tackling pre-ERP issues, and guiding implementation with clarity,” Peter explained.
This clarity and grounded expertise have helped HandsFree ERP carve out a unique identity in a crowded landscape. The company has continuously refined its methodologies, broadened its service offerings, and maintained its independence, an attribute that has only added to its credibility as a reliable advisor.
As a result, HandsFree ERP isn’t just another ERP consultant, it’s a name trusted by industry leaders. Its accolades speak for themselves, including recognition in CIO Review’s “Top ERP Solution Provider” list and being named one of Global Business Leader’s “Top 20 Companies to Watch.”
What began as a response to inefficiency has grown into a movement toward ERP excellence. These honors reflect what clients already know: HandsFree ERP is a partner that listens, understands, and leads with integrity.
Forging ERP Triumph: HandsFree’s Proven Strategy
HandsFree ERP’s core services are designed to guide clients through every stage of their ERP journey; ensuring projects stay on time, on budget, and aligned with business goals. The company offers four strategic pillars:
These services reflect HandsFree ERP’s commitment to preventing pitfalls and delivering results that matter. By listening closely and tailoring solutions, the company has become more than a consultant, it’s a trusted partner.
Paving the Way for ERP Excellence
As ERP projects increasingly shift to the cloud, data has become the heartbeat of successful implementations. Recognizing this, HandsFree ERP launched a big data practice to address a critical gap. “While many companies invest heavily in ERP systems, they often underestimate the state and complexity of their data,” Peter explained. “We saw poor data hygiene causing delays, inflated budgets, and even project failures.”
Three key reasons drove this strategic move:
This wasn’t just a technical decision, it was a strategic one. By anchoring ERP transformation in data excellence, HandsFree ERP empowers clients to make smarter choices and achieve stronger performance.
“Seeing businesses succeed because of our work, that’s what keeps us going.” From its founding to its rise as an industry leader, HandsFree ERP remains dedicated to turning challenges into opportunities. With a blend of expertise, innovation, and genuine care, the company continues to guide clients toward ERP success and beyond, ensuring every project feels like a partnership forged in trust.
Orchestrating ERP Mastery with Visionary Precision
ERP projects often start with more questions than answers. Between vendor pitches, competing tools, and pressure to move fast, businesses can easily make critical decisions without full visibility. That’s why HandsFree ERP created the Discover Process and three-step fast analysis—to replace confusion with clarity, and chaos with structure.
“Our clients are smart, capable teams, but they’re usually walking into the ERP world with too little context and too many variables. We built our process to give them control, structure, and a clear way forward.”
At the heart of this methodology is the Discover Process, which blends cultural alignment, pre-ERP readiness, and step-by-step guidance into a practical framework.
“It’s not just about the software. ERP is a business transformation. If the organization isn’t ready—culturally, structurally, and operationally—no system will save it.”
The supporting three-step fast analysis uses smart, unbiased tools to quickly identify real needs and capability gaps, helping teams make informed decisions early and avoid costly mistakes later.
“We don’t believe in dragging out the process. We believe in cutting through the clutter. Our fast analysis is about making clear, strategic decisions, so we don’t spend months reacting to preventable problems,” Peter emphasizes.
Another key differentiator is HandsFree ERP’s vendor-neutral tool, designed to eliminate bias and overpromises. By delivering an objective fit/gap analysis, it focuses entirely on the client’s requirements, not vendor agendas.
“Because we don’t sell ERP software, we’re not tied to any platform. Our only job is to help the client make the best decision for their business without sales pressure or commission bias.”
The tool compares vendor capabilities to actual business needs, cutting through marketing hype and unrealistic timelines. The result: fewer mismatches, smarter investments, and ERP plans grounded in reality.
“Our independence is one of our greatest strengths. We don’t care which system a client chooses—we care that it fits, that it works, and that it supports their long-term goals.”
Conquering ERP Challenges with Strategic Foresight and Team Synergy
ERP selection and implementation are high-stakes journeys, but too often, companies jump in unprepared. They skip foundational steps, misread what their business truly needs, and underestimate both technical and human challenges, which results in delays, budget overruns, and frustrated teams.
“Most ERP failures don’t happen because of the software. They happen because the organization wasn’t ready. The prep work was skipped, the data was a mess, or the team wasn’t aligned. That’s what we fix.”
Over time, Peter and his team have seen the same mistakes repeated:
The Discover Process is designed to address these risks early. It begins with cultural alignment, moves through deep needs assessments, and ensures data and financial readiness—all before choosing or implementing an ERP system.
“This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about building the right foundation. You don’t build a skyscraper on a cracked foundation. ERP is no different.”
With this structured, proactive approach, clients avoid the usual traps: late projects, ballooning costs, and systems that don’t work as intended.
But even the best plan needs a ready team. That’s where the ERP Success Academy comes in—a focused training program designed to build confidence, close skill gaps, and align teams from the start.
Delivered in short, TED Talk-style modules, the Academy equips project teams with the clarity and knowledge they need.
The Outcome? Smoother rollouts, faster adoption, and less friction. Or, as Peter puts it, “If you want your ERP project to succeed, you need structure—and people who are ready. We provide both.”
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, HandsFree ERP is focused on expanding its educational platforms, including an upcoming book and enhanced learning modules under the ERP Success Academy. They are also advancing new advisory tools that integrate insights from AI while still emphasizing the importance of foundational planning and clean data. Their roadmap includes evolving methodologies to meet emerging cloud ERP challenges and maintaining their leadership role in unbiased ERP advisory.
For Peter Joeckel, success isn’t just about ERP delivery — it’s about impact.
“Success for HandsFree ERP goes beyond project delivery. It means empowering organizations to become confident, informed ERP buyers, equipping teams with the tools and clarity needed to support sustainable growth.”
“Our goal is to create ERP implementations that are not just completed, but truly transformative, resulting in improved operations, engaged employees, and long-term strategic gains,” concludes Peter Joeckel.
HandsFree ERP | Leadership Team
Peter Joeckel is the Founder and President of HandsFree ERP, bringing over 30 years of experience in ERP selection, implementation, and project recovery. Known for rescuing failing initiatives, Peter delivers client-focused, platform-agnostic solutions grounded in real-world insight. His engineering mindset and deep expertise—especially in Microsoft Dynamics—equip organizations to make smarter ERP decisions with clarity and precision. A trusted advisor in the industry, Mr. Joeckel blends strategic vision with hands-on execution to drive lasting success.
Kati Hvidtfeldt, Partner at HandsFree ERP, brings over 30 years of experience in the software industry, including 17 years at Microsoft. She has led key initiatives across Dynamics ERP and CRM, and her cross-industry expertise makes her an invaluable resource for clients navigating complex change.
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