Choosing the right ERP system for your business is one of the biggest decisions a company can make. It’s a daunting, resource-intensive, complex process. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. ERP system consultants can help you shorten the selection process and improve your chances of finding the right system for your company. They can save you time and money while getting your project off to a great start.
But to have the best outcomes with your ERP purchase, you’ll need to make sure you hire the right ERP system consultant. With the right person in the job, you’ll experience savings and a faster ROI. So how do you find this great fit?
Experience Counts
When you’re hiring for a critical position within your company, experience is probably one of the first things you look at on an applicant’s resume. If they’re fresh out of college, they may be great for an entry-level position, but you probably won’t put them immediately into a leadership position.
The same goes for your software vendor. As you consider the many software resellers and vendors in the market, review their credentials carefully. Look for experience within your industry and with companies similar to your own. It’s even better if they have experience solving problems very similar to the ones you need to solve with your new enterprise resource planning software.
Long- or Short-Term Solutions?
Perhaps the most important aspect of vendor selection—and one which many companies fail to consider—is whether a vendor takes a long- or short-term approach to problem-solving.
A long-term approach means that the vendor wants to immerse themselves in your business model; they want to understand it fully. The vendor is investing time now with the desire for a long-term relationship. The vendor isn’t just concerned with short-term problem solving, important though that might be to your company. Instead, the vendor has their eye on the big picture.
Every business is unique. Your company is no exception. You face challenges, marketplace threats, and opportunities for growth, expansion and profits. A good software vendor takes the long-term approach to understand all these factors. They go beyond asking, “What do you do?” and instead ask, “Where do you want to go?”
Get on the Same Page with Values
Another factor in a good vendor-client relationship that’s rarely talked about is shared values. When you work with a company who shares your core values, they tend to “get” who you are and what you’d like to accomplish. More importantly, they understand and respect how you want to accomplish your goals. This makes it easier for them to understand issues and problems and to come up with solutions that support your stated values.
People and Personality
The hiring process for full-time employees typically includes both initial telephone screenings and in-person interviews. Companies want to meet potential employees to make sure that they fit in with the team. It’s attitude, personality and people who count the most in any organization, and to make sure that candidates will work out as full-time employees, they assess each of these factors.
The same holds true for your ERP software vendor. Who will you work with on the project? Who will conduct the training and who will be your daily point of contact? Make sure that you like and respect that person. You’ll be working together closely, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them.
It’s All About Getting the Right Partner for Your Business
Choosing an ERP consultant may not be easy, but it is beneficial. This temporary business partner will become immersed in all the details of your systems to ensure that the solutions implemented are the best possible fit for your needs. Together, you can anticipate problems, accommodate changes, and work toward implementing the best system to support business functions.
Accounting Systems Incorporated (ASI) is happy to play a role in finding the right solutions for your business needs. With vast experience in cloud ERP such as Acumatica and solutions for Sage 100, ASI provides the flexibility you need to grow. For more information, click here or call us at 803-252-6154.