Digital Supply Chain Talk for SME's

Send us a textSummary 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 coordinationListen 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 projectNext 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 textSummary 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 strategyListen 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 directionNext 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 hereConnect & Resources: 🔗 Follow Matt Flanagan on LinkedIn 🔗 Visit bluehub.co.uk for insights and future sessionsOutro: “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 textIn 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.TakeawaysConnecting 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Event Overview03:00 Insights from the CIN7 Partner Summit05:59 Key Product Updates from CIN7 11:57 Exploring AI and Intelligent Document Recognition17:54 Networking and Community Building24:11 Reflections on CFO Engagement and Reporting30:03 Conclusion and Future EventsIf you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to get in touch. https://bluehub.co.uk/contactYour host is Matt Flanagan.Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]

Send us a textIn 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/contacthttps://approvalmax.com/Your host is Matt Flanagan.Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]

Send us a textDavid Tuck, co-founder and CEO of Mayday, discusses their mission to streamline the month-end closing process for finance teams using Xero. Mayday offers a suite of products including Balancer, Recharger, and Brag, which automate inter-company balances, recharging costs and revenues, and bank reconciliations across multiple entities. Tuck highlights the growing need for month-end automation as businesses scale and the challenges faced by in-house finance teams. He also emphasizes the value of the Xero ecosystem and the importance of building a tech stack that meets the specific needs of each business. Mayday has also created a community called CFO TechStack, providing content, community, and events for in-house finance leaders using Xero.TakeawaysMayday offers products that automate month-end processes for finance teams using Xero, including inter-company balances, recharging costs and revenues, and bank reconciliations.The Xero ecosystem provides a range of apps and solutions that can be customised to meet the specific needs of each business.In-house finance teams can benefit from building a tech stack that streamlines their processes and reduces manual work.CFO TechStack is a community created by Mayday that offers content, community, and events for in-house finance leaders using Xero.Get tickets to their Stack event in September - https://stacked.cfotechstack.com/Chapters00:00Introduction03:05David Tuck's Background and Journey as an Accounting Tech Entrepreneur06:12The Problem Mayday Solves: Month-End Automation for Finance Teams09:05The Growing Need for Month-End Automation in the Xero Ecosystem13:05The Challenges of Pricing and Anchoring in the Xero Ecosystem16:16The Rise of Multi-Entity Businesses and the Need for Solutions19:23Building a Community for In-House Finance Leaders: CFO TechStack23:43Demystifying the Xero App Ecosystem with Mayday's App Map29:06Geographical Reach and Community Engagement35:03Future Plans for Mayday and the Importance of Revenue Recognition38:08Closing Remarks and Contact InformationDavid Tuck - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuckdavid/Mayday - https://www.getmayday.com/CFO Techstack - https://www.cfotechstack.com/Stacked Event - https://www.cfotechstack.com/stackedYour host is Matt Flanagan.Got a question for him reach out at [email protected]