Three Tips for Choosing the Best Implementation Partner for your ERP System
The enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is a cornerstone of a company’s management structure. It affects almost every employee and every aspect of the company. This system handles every functionality you need, saving you time and money while providing you with business intelligence.
As an organization, you’ll need expert help to guide you through the process of selecting and implementing an ERP solution. Your implementation partner will be an important ally throughout the process. Their role is to ensure that you enjoy all the benefits of your new system and that you achieve your goals. Here are three key elements to guide your choice of partner.
1. Expertise and Commitment
The ideal partner should have a 360° view of your organization that goes beyond the software’s functionalities. Understanding the critical factors in your business is essential to a successful ERP implementation. Ask the consultants to demonstrate their knowledge of your company or industry and to translate this project into tangible results for your company.
The right partner will have extensive industry experience and an excellent reputation for delivering solutions on time and on budget. Be sure to reach out to some of their clients to find out if they’re still satisfied. A good partner will show an ongoing commitment to their client’s success, beyond the initial sale.
Also, make sure to choose a partner that has a similar corporate culture to yours. Culturally similar organizations have better communication. Expectations are better communicated on both sides, and the scope of the project is expressed clearly. You need to feel comfortable with your choice—make sure you’ve chosen a business partner, not just a software provider.
2. The ERP System: A Realistic Budget
It’s important to be aware of all the costs associated with your ERP project. If you need an ERP system but aren’t sure you have the budget, ask about a phased approach. You can take on less stress by spreading the costs over a longer period of time. You may also want to consider some financing options, which will enable you to spread out the costs of the project as you begin to reap the benefits of the new system. Remember that the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best one!
A good implementation partner will take the time to explain all associated costs well in advance of implementation. By the time you settle on a partner, you should have already collaborated with all key stakeholders, and your requirements should be carefully documented and prioritized. If necessary, your partner can help you adjust the requirements while respecting your budget.
3. A Pre-Established Timeline and a Specific Project Plan
How long will it take to get everything up and running? Your implementation partner must have a proven methodology that ensures a smooth, efficient and seamless transition with a clear timeline of milestones. The sooner the solution is operational, the greater the user uptake and the better your performance. Before you even begin this type of project, find out what a typical implementation process looks like and confirm who will be responsible for what. Up to this point, you’ve focused on “what.” What system will you use? What functionalities does it need? Now it’s time to think about “who” and “how.” Which partner should you work with? How will the implementation take place? All these questions are inevitable and will determine the success of your project.
Consider the project as a whole. It’s not just about installing and setting up the system. You also need to transfer your data to the new system, configure the system according to your internal processes and work methodology, and train users and super-users. Since the system handles many different aspects (human resources management, accounting and financial management, sales, distribution, procurement, e-commerce, etc.), your implementation partner will have to submit an implementation schedule that takes into account the reality and workload of each of these entities.
Experts to guide you
Grounded in hands-on experience and deep industry understanding, Forgestik brings together a team of experts to provide comprehensive ERP solutions for every SMB. Contact us to find out more.