In many companies, I find that relatively young purchasing people embrace the new inventory system with enthusiasm, while many old-timers may view the new system as a threat. I've been getting away with what I've been doing for twenty years without anyone knowing how to second guess me. Although they are identified with new technologies, you would be surprised how many of them become wedded to their own old brand of technology, and fight anything that could be a threat. If they have this attitude, the problem is particularly insidious, since they are in a position to mask their true motivation, and pass off their resistance as bona fide concern for the company. So the answer to all this is to embrace all the new technology available and change everything as fast as possible.
Caution is called for.
I never implied that the answer was easy. It is, in fact, a pain in the butt. It means a lot of hard, messy, and uncomfortable work at sorting out what is good from what isn't. It means hearing out the stories of vendors, asking good questions that sort through the fluff, and checking references whenever possible. But most of all, it means accepting the challenge, plunging into the mainstream of searching for better concepts and supporting technology, and, finally, taking action even though there is some risk involved.