Solvik’s initial inclination was to avoid an ERP solution. Instead, he planned to let each functional
area make its own decision regarding the application and timing of its move. Keeping with Cisco’s
strong tradition of standardization, however, all functional areas would be required to use common
architecture and databases. This approach was consistent with the organizational and budgetary
structures that Solvik had installed upon his arrival. Solvik felt strongly that budgetary decisions on
IT expenditures be made by functional areas while the IT organization reported directly to him.
Solvik’s objection to ERP solutions was also born out of concerns about the types of “mega-projects”
that ERP implementations often became.