Meet the team | James Reyes

James is ECI’s Business Development Manager for manufacturing, working with small to mid-sized discrete manufacturers to drive digital transformation through ERP systems like M1 and JobBOSS². 

Based near Brisbane, James joined our team in March 2025 and brings over a decade of enterprise software experience, including roles at Oracle and MYOB (Acumatica). With that experience, James has a clear understanding of what manufacturers of all sizes need to improve operational efficiency, reduce risk and set themselves up for long-term growth.

We spoke to James about the biggest challenges facing Australian manufacturers today – from labour shortages to cybersecurity – and the role ERP can play in helping businesses stay competitive.

Tell us about your background and your current role at ECI

I’m a Business Development Manager at ECI, based in the Sunshine Coast. I joined the team in March 2025 and I focus on helping small to mid-sized discrete manufacturers adopt ERP solutions like M1 and JobBOSS² to support digital transformation and long-term growth.

I’ve worked in solution selling for over a decade. My first real experience in ERP was at Oracle, working with large, complex organisations and understanding how cloud-based ERP could benefit their operations. I also worked on various front-of-house solutions, which gave me a broader view of how software can support every part of a business. 

Then, before joining ECI, I was at MYOB (Acumatica), working with manufacturers, wholesalers, and some construction clients – and that’s where I found my sweet spot. Helping to grow family-run businesses through technology is what really drives me.

Who are the typical clients you work with?

Most of my clients are Australian manufacturers with anywhere from a handful to 200 employees. These businesses often run lean and fast, and many are still relying on spreadsheets or disconnected systems, which can lead to inefficiencies, blind spots, and increased risk. 

What kinds of challenges are those clients facing?

A couple of challenges stand out. Firstly, labour shortages and rising costs are forcing businesses to be more selective and efficient. They know they need to evolve, the pressure to modernise can feel overwhelming but they don’t always know where to start.

Cybersecurity is also growing concern and many business owners are worried about losing control or getting hacked. There’s still a lot of reliance on spreadsheets and local files which if corrupted or lost, could put a business offline for days, or longer. That’s not just inconvenient, it’s a serious revenue risk. With the right cloud-based ERP system, they can be back online in hours, not days. This resilience and business continuity is one of the biggest advantages we offer.

How do you help customer address these challenges?

It starts with understanding where they’re at. Is their business growing, what systems are they using, where are their pain points? 

If there are three or four key issues affecting their operations, like scheduling, reporting, or inventory visibility, we know there’s a strong case for change and can identify the right solution for them. JobBOSS² is great for those smaller, bespoke job shops, while M1 tends to suit the more complex, mid-sized operations.

From there, I help guide them through what implementation really involves, with people and mindset coming first, and not just focussing on the processes. We work together right through to go-live, making sure they understand the system, the support, and the behavioural shifts needed for successful a ERP implementation.

The customer’s decision to go with ECI is just the halfway point. I stay involved all the way through implementation, helping ensure the outcomes we’ve discussed become a reality. It could take six to nine months and I’m there with the customer throughout that journey.

What makes an ERP implementation successful?

It comes down to three things: team buy-in, clear internal ownership, and open communication. You need someone internally to champion the change, and you need regular dialogue with us too. At ECI, we’re here to help, not just sell.

Too often, people underestimate the change management side. Software can only go so far and the real shift comes when teams change how they work with it. When they do, the business becomes more connected, decisive, and adaptive to market conditions.

What do you love most about your role at ECI?

Helping people overcome limiting beliefs. When a business owner or team realises that digital transformation isn’t out of reach, that’s incredibly rewarding. Especially when it’s a smaller business that hasn’t had that kind of support before.

A lot of smaller businesses think ERP isn’t for them, that it’s too complex or expensive. But once they understand what’s possible and how achievable it is, they realise they can move forward with confidence.

Lastly, what’s your take on the broader state of Australian manufacturing?

Despite the headlines, Australian manufacturing is very much alive. There’s a real battler mentality, and every cent matters. 

With ERP, you don't need to have as many people on the ground. You can reallocate resources from admin into more productive areas of the business. In Australia, labour costs are high, so businesses are very selective of who they bring on. ERP solutions help you overcome this by enabling more efficient operations with fewer staff, making your business more competitive despite labour shortages. 

Challenges like labour shortages and rising wages are real. Skills can be hard to find, and many manufacturers are having to do more with less. But that’s exactly where technology like ERP comes in.