About The ERP Advisor

Hi, I am Arij Shahla, the ERP advisor helping executives and transformation leaders take control of complex ERP decisions — without vendor bias, implementation conflicts, or hidden agendas.

ERP programs are not technology projects. They are business-critical transformations where accountability, governance, and leadership determine success or failure. My role is to ensure those elements are firmly in place.

Throughout my career, I have worked at the intersection of business strategy, enterprise systems, and organizational decision-making, supporting leaders through complex ERP transformations where the cost of misalignment is material and long-lasting.

My expertise lies in helping organizations retain control over ERP decisions—ensuring technology choices serve strategic objectives, operating models, and long-term performance, rather than dictating them.

Why I Founded The ERP Advisor

After more than 15 years working across ERP implementations, transformations, and enterprise operating models, one pattern became impossible to ignore:

ERP programs fail not because of software — but because executives lose control of decisions to vendors, systems integrators, and fragmented governance.

I founded The ERP Advisor to fill the gap between:

executive accountability
technical delivery
and real-world operational impact

My work exists to protect leadership teams from avoidable ERP risk while ensuring ERP investments deliver measurable business value.

From Technical Foundations to Executive ERP Advisory

I began my career in software development and architecture, building a strong foundation in system design, process engineering, and solution delivery. This technical grounding gave me a deep understanding of how ERP systems behave under real operational pressure—not just how they are designed on paper.

Over time, I evolved into a techno-functional ERP consultant and product leader, operating at the boundary between technical execution and business ownership. This progression shaped my ability to challenge assumptions, translate strategy into system decisions, and surface risk early—before it becomes embedded in contracts, configurations, or governance structures.

Experience Across the Full ERP Lifecycle

I have supported organizations across industries—including manufacturing, retail, distribution, services, HR, and eCommerce—through every stage of the ERP lifecycle:

ERP strategy and platform selection
Business process design and operating model alignment
Governance and decision-making structures
Implementation oversight and risk management
Post-go-live stabilization and value realization

While I have led and overseen ERP implementations, my focus has consistently been on outcomes, accountability, and sustainability, rather than activity or customization volume. I work to ensure ERP programs remain business-led, not system-driven.

Prior Experience with ERP Delivery Organizations

Earlier in my career, I worked with several ERP delivery organizations, leading end-to-end ERP programs, supporting pre-sales activities, and tailoring implementations to client needs. These roles provided first-hand exposure to the pressures, trade-offs, and conflicts that often exist inside vendor-led ERP models.
That experience is critical to my advisory role today—it allows me to challenge delivery narratives, identify hidden risk, and ensure executive interests remain protected.

Experience That Extends Beyond Methodology

My background spans:

ERP selection and vendor evaluation
Large-scale ERP implementations
ERP governance and steering committees
Program recovery and risk escalation
Post-go-live optimization and value realization

I have worked with organizations at different stages of ERP maturity — from early strategy to recovery of distressed programs — often stepping in when stakes are high and options are limited.

This experience informs judgment, not templates.

What Makes My ERP Advisory Different

Independence by Design

I do not sell software.

I do not implement systems.

I do not partner with vendors or systems integrators.

My only obligation is to your organization’s outcome.

Executive-Level Perspective

I work at the level where:

trade-offs are unavoidable
risk must be owned
and decisions have enterprise-wide consequences

My advisory approach is designed for C-suite leaders, boards, and program sponsors, not technical teams alone.

Governance Over Activity

ERP success is not about being busy — it is about being governed.

I focus on:

decision rights
accountability structures
escalation paths
and clarity of ownership

These are the elements most ERP programs lack — and most need..

How I Work With Clients

I engage as:

An independent ERP advisor to executives
A governance and risk partner during implementation
A trusted challenger to vendor-led narratives
A stabilizing force in complex or failing programs

Engagements are typically advisory, time-bound, and designed to strengthen internal leadership, not replace it.

Who I Work With

My clients typically include:

CEOs and COOs leading enterprise transformation
CFOs accountable for ERP ROI and cost control
Program sponsors overseeing ERP delivery
Boards and private equity operating partners managing risk

They engage me when:

the decision is irreversible
the investment is material
and failure is not an option

My Advisory Philosophy

ERP programs succeed when:

executives retain ownership of decisions
governance is explicit and enforced
vendors are managed, not deferred to
risk is surfaced early — not explained away later

Everything I do as an ERP advisor is guided by these principles.

Let’s Talk Before the Risk Is Locked In

If you are:

selecting an ERP platform
entering an implementation
questioning current governance
or concerned about program trajectory

An independent perspective early can prevent irreversible outcomes later.

Request an Independent ERP Advisory Conversation

My Core Expertise

Odoo ERP Implementation (Technical & Functional)

Specialized in delivering end-to-end Odoo ERP implementations, including requirement analysis, fit-gap assessments, configuration, customization, module integration, and user training. Skilled in designing scalable Odoo architectures that align technical workflows with business objectives, ensuring seamless system adoption and long-term performance optimization.

Product Management & Lifecycle Strategy

Comprehensive experience in managing ERP product lifecycles — from ideation and requirement definition to release management and continuous improvement. Skilled in market analysis, feature prioritization, user experience optimization, and ensuring that Odoo-based products evolve in line with business goals and emerging technologies.

Presales Consulting & Solution Architecture

Strong background in presales discovery, value proposition design, and ERP solution architecture. Capable of assessing complex business requirements, creating tailored Odoo ERP demonstrations, and articulating the strategic and technical value of ERP solutions to stakeholders and decision-makers.

ERP Project Leadership & Team Mentorship

Experienced in leading cross-functional ERP project teams, ensuring successful delivery of complex Odoo implementations on time and within scope. Passionate about mentoring consultants and developers, fostering collaboration, and maintaining best practices in project governance, agile methodologies, and client communication.

Data Migration, Testing, and Change Management

Hands-on expertise in ERP data migration, validation, and user acceptance testing (UAT). Skilled in managing change through structured rollout strategies, training programs, and stakeholder engagement to ensure smooth transition and maximum end-user adoption during ERP implementation phases.

Digital Transformation & Workflow Design

Proven ability to lead digital transformation initiatives by aligning technology, people, and processes. Adept at designing cross-functional workflows, integrating multi-system environments, and deploying ERP-driven automation strategies that enhance visibility, productivity, and decision-making.

Business Process Optimization & Automation

Expert in analyzing, re-engineering, and automating business processes across departments such as finance, supply chain, HR, manufacturing, marketing and CRM. Focused on transforming manual workflows into efficient, data-driven operations through ERP automation and intelligent process design.

Process Engineering & System Integration

Proficient in designing and integrating modular ERP systems that unify multiple business processes into a cohesive digital ecosystem. Skilled in data flow mapping, inter-module integration, API connections, and ensuring system interoperability between ERP platforms and third-party applications.