Digital Supply Chain Talk for SME's

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Summary
In this episode, Matt Flanagan breaks down one of the biggest patterns BlueHub sees across projects: rushing into new systems without proper preparation.
Drawing on real examples from recent client work, he explains why most projects don’t fail because of the software — they fail because the groundwork isn’t done.
Matt covers the decisions that should be made before speaking to vendors or consultants, the realistic timelines for change, and what good preparation actually looks like.
Key themes this episode:
• The rush to change – why pressure and pain drive bad decisions
• Building requirements – what your current system does well and where it falls short
• Setting realistic timeframes – why 30 days isn’t enough
• Involving the right people early – ownership, capacity and alignment
• Vendors vs consultants – understanding who does what
• The importance of clean data and cross-vendor coordination
Listen if you’re:
• Planning to change systems in 2025
• Feeling pressure to move fast but unsure where to start
• Involved in scoping or leading an implementation project
Next up:
Episode 3 – Post-Go-Live Drift: Keeping Momentum Once the System’s Live.
Connect & resources:
🔗 Follow Matt Flanagan on LinkedIn

🔗 Visit bluehub.co.uk
for insights and future sessions
🔗 Register for the BlueHub Cin7 Core 2025 Features Review webinar
Your host is Matt Flanagan.

Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]

Send us a text
Summary
After almost a year away from the mic, Matt Flanagan returns with a new season of On the Ground — shorter, sharper episodes sharing what the BlueHub team are really seeing inside UK product-based businesses.
In this opener, Matt recaps a busy year: a new BlueHub HQ, a partner award at the Cin7 Summit in Denver, the Xero Roadshow, and dozens of conversations with manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and e-commerce teams.
One theme stands out everywhere: choice without clarity.
The ecosystem has exploded — Shopify, Xero, Cin7 Core, 3PLs, AI tools — all powerful, but increasingly overwhelming for businesses who don’t have clear requirements, ownership, or selection criteria.
Matt outlines the key pain points BlueHub are seeing on the ground and previews how future episodes will unpack each one in practical detail:
• Ecosystem overwhelm – more options, less clarity
• Poor preparation before change
• Misalignment after growth
• Post-go-live drift
• Ownership & educational gaps
• Integration and data fracture
• Vendor sprawl & lack of platform strategy
Listen in if you’re …
• Exploring new systems or integrations and unsure where to start
• Already live on Cin7 Core or Xero but not getting full value
• Feeling the weight of too many tools and too little direction
Next up:
Episode 2 – Preparing for Change: How to Get It Right Before You Start.
Upcoming webinar:
Join Matt Flanagan and the team for the BlueHub Cin7 Core New Features Review for 2025 – a 45-minute live session covering the latest updates, what they mean in practice, and how to make them work for you.
👉 Register here

Connect & Resources:
🔗 Follow Matt Flanagan on LinkedIn

🔗 Visit bluehub.co.uk
for insights and future sessions
Outro:
“Until next time — build systems that scale with you, not against you.”
Your host is Matt Flanagan.

Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]

Send us a text
In this episode of Digital Supply Chain Talk, hosts Matt Flanagan and Callum Wagstaff discuss their experiences at the CIN7  Partner Summit and other recent events. They share insights on networking, product updates, and the importance of personal connections in the digital supply chain space. The conversation highlights key developments in CIN7 's offerings, including AI integration and intelligent document recognition, and reflects on the value of community engagement among CFOs and industry partners. The episode concludes with thoughts on future events and the importance of building relationships in the industry.

Takeaways
Connecting personally enhances collaboration and understanding.
Attending events provides insights not available through marketing.
Product updates at CIN7 were more cohesive this year.
The altitude in Denver affected our energy levels significantly.
CIN7 Pay will allow payments directly within the inventory system.
Intelligent Document Recognition will save time for businesses.
AI integration in CIN7 will help make informed decisions.
Networking is as valuable as product information at events.
CFOs play a crucial role in project success and clarity.
Community engagement is essential for ongoing industry relationships.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Event Overview
03:00 Insights from the CIN7 Partner Summit
05:59 Key Product Updates from CIN7 
11:57 Exploring AI and Intelligent Document Recognition
17:54 Networking and Community Building
24:11 Reflections on CFO Engagement and Reporting
30:03 Conclusion and Future Events

If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to get in touch. 
https://bluehub.co.uk/contact
Your host is Matt Flanagan.

Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]

Send us a text
In this conversation, Matt Lowry from ApprovalMax discusses the history and features of the approval workflow software. ApprovalMax was founded in 2014 and is integrated with accounting systems like Xero, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and CIN7 Core. The software allows for multi-step, multi-tiered approvals and provides visibility and traceability in the approval process. It also offers features like fraud detection and OCR. The product is flexible and can be accessed through a web app, mobile app, or Slack integration. Onboarding and support are available through a free trial, sales representatives, and a 24/5 support team.

Takeaways: 
ApprovalMax is an approval workflow software that integrates with accounting systems like Xero, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and CIN7 Core. 
The software allows for multi-step, multi-tiered approvals and provides visibility and traceability in the approval process. 
ApprovalMax offers features like fraud detection and OCR, and it can be accessed through a web app, mobile app, or Slack integration. 
Onboarding and support are available through a free trial, sales representatives, and a 24/5 support team.
Chapters: 
00:00 Introduction and Background 
03:30 Overview of ApprovalMax 
07:38 Integration with Accounting Systems 
11:24 Sales and Implementation Process 
13:48 Integration with Other Systems 
17:27 Addressing Hybrid Work Environments 
20:23 Ease of Use and Daily Impact 
23:43 Onboarding and Support 
29:39 Getting in Touch with ApprovalMax 
If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to get in touch. 

https://bluehub.co.uk/contact
https://approvalmax.com/
Your host is Matt Flanagan.

Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]

Send us a text
In this conversation, Matt and Callum discuss various BlueHub projects they have been working on, including a lighting manufacturer, a sports apparel company, a beauty manufacturer, and a gaming device manufacturer. They highlight the importance of staying up to date with system updates and features, as well as the challenges of managing warehouses and integrating with 3PLs. They also emphasise the need for businesses to feel the pain and see the value before investing in new systems.
Takeaways
Staying up to date with system updates and features is crucial for maximising the benefits of a software system.
Managing warehouses and integrating with 3PLs can be complex and require careful consideration of processes and integrations.
Businesses need to feel the pain and see the value before investing in new systems.
The size of a business does not necessarily determine its readiness for implementing new systems.
The implementation process can take time and should be planned and prioritised accordingly.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Project Overview
04:46 Improving Processes for a Lighting Manufacturer
08:48 Challenges of Managing Warehouses and 3PL Integration
12:05 Refresher Training for a Beauty Manufacturer
19:09 Account Review and System Setup for a Multi-Entity Business
21:19 Implementing Systems for a Gaming Device Manufacturer
25:46 Timing and Value in Implementing New Systems
27:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Keywords projects, lighting manufacturer, sports apparel, beauty manufacturer, gaming device, system updates, warehouses, 3PL integration, pain points, value

Your host is Matt Flanagan.

Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]