The ERP suppliers are a fundamental aspect when it comes to implementing a system of management. Of course we also have to think about the money to be invested, one of the most important decisions of a company. Time and money are the basis of the project and the software companies are the ones that will determine how it will be.
There are hundreds of knowledgeable ERP software companies and consultants, but finding one with no hidden compromises can be very difficult. Most ERP consultants have an interest in certain solutions. It is important that you give your search an unbiased approach.
If you are thinking of implementing an ERP or replacing an existing one, keep in mind that the evaluation and selection process is one of the keys to bringing your organization to efficiency levels in the medium and long term.
A help can be to search for ERP providers by country :
- ERP providers in the United States
- ERP providers in United Kingdom
- ERP providers in Canada
- ERP providers in Australia
- ERP providers in India
- ERP providers in United Arab Emirates
- ERP providers in Ireland
- ERP providers in Austria
- ERP providers in Saudi Arabia
- ERP providers in Spain
- ERP providers in Bahrain
- ERP providers in Singapore
- ERP providers in Finland
- ERP providers in China
- ERP providers in Ireland
- ERP providers in Japan
- ERP providers in Italy
- ERP providers in Philippines
- ERP providers in Netherlands
- ERP providers in Germany
- ERP providers in New Zealand
- ERP providers in Belgium
Evaluate your business processes
- What are you doing well and what can be improved?
This is a long-term strategic decision for your company. Whether you are implementing your first ERP solution or upgrading to a deployed ERP solution.
These questions can help you:
- Determine if purchasing ERP software will be beneficial.
- Better identify current obstacles and deficiencies in your business processes.
You may want to form an evaluation committee and involve each department to gain company-wide project visibility and buy-in.
What should the customer ask the suppliers?
Below we have the list of questions that may be useful and guiding to be better prepared:
- Do you have specific industry requirements beyond the capacity of your current system?
- Is reporting fast? Are there a lack of preventive reports that allow you to make better decisions?
- Does the current system reduce the productivity of your employees? Can you identify the cost / benefit to increase productivity?
- Your collaborators, partners and suppliers Do they access company data through the Internet or through mobile devices? Could this facility benefit you?
- Does the lack of flexibility hurt the company’s ability to keep up with new and more complex business processes?
- Can you use your system to automate the costing of resources (materials and people), the sales order cycle, the supply chain and / or specific requirements of your industry?
- Key information and business intelligence Is it available to the entire company?
- Your ERP system Is it low performance?
- In your company, many manual processes are carried out. double data entry? Are many spreadsheets used?
- Producing financial statements Time consuming? Is it prone to errors? Can you easily transact between countries or regions?
- Is the current system accepted in your industry? What solutions do your colleagues and competitors use?
We recommend answering these questions with a SWOT analysis approach (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). It will also help to make a report on what the ROI will be like in an ERP project.
Are increased employee benefits and efficiency, and return on investment, greater than the potential costs for a new ERP solution? If the answer is yes, then it is important that you start taking a closer look at the ERP solutions that are available in the market.
Criteria for selecting an ERP
Let’s be realistic. Price is generally the primary factor in evaluating and considering a management system purchase, but remember that buying is an investment. It is hard to ignore the cost of an ERP but ignoring the prices can be good to start exploring the market.
The fact is, most ERP providers will allow you to access some convenient form of payment. The ultimate goal is to make your business more efficient and profitable.
Some selection criteria to consider are:
Servers and operating system
Are you married to your current server and / or desktop operating system? Is it a requirement that the new solution works on that platform? Or are you open to alternatives? Does the solution have to be in your office and is it installed on an internal server? Or are you open to a solution based on Software as a Service?
Usability and features
Software is not a good investment if it is not used to its full potential. That is why it is essential to give your employees the necessary training so that they understand the change that is taking place and the capabilities of the new system.
There have been cases of companies that acquire the ERP, implement it but cannot use the system effectively. The interaction of your collaborators with the system is what will determine, to a large extent, your path to satisfaction.
How is the usability of the system? Is it easy to navigate? Are you oriented to your industry and the business processes of the solution?
Proximity
When choosing a provider, does your geographical location count?
There is no universal correct answer to this question. Some are in favor of buying from a nearby business, while others are convinced that location should be irrelevant. Ultimately, it is up to each company to determine how their needs are best met. Travel time, technical support, relationship building, legal resources, local tax laws, reference checks, and pricing. In short, all these aspects must be taken into consideration.
Training and education
The training can be in your company or through special sessions on the Internet or even through classes that your employees would have to attend. Again the ability of employees to interact with the system will determine their path to ERP success.
- Does everyone know what an ERP is?
- Do you need a course on ERP Project Management?
- How many users will need training?
ERP provider capabilities
Two sellers offering the same solution may have a very different range of experience and skill. What experience do they have? How many employees do they have? Since when have you been an ERP provider?
This story can provide you with a great deal of information about a particular company.
Organizing your selection criteria around priorities will help you identify and prioritize solutions as you begin participating in meetings and evaluating various ERP software companies.
And once you’ve managed to rank ERP software vendors according to the selection criteria, start considering the differences of each vendor.
Communication with ERP providers
It is advisable to have an open conversation with each supplier that comes close to your requirements. First impressions can give you a great deal of insight. The software vendor Were you ready for the conversation? Did you take care to know something about your company? Do you understand their pain?
Create a short list of top solutions
The best way to start narrowing down your list is to refer to your selection criteria. Depending on the options that are presented and the tasks that you have done this can be very easy to solve, but it can be difficult also depending on the variety of solutions you are evaluating. After all the market for available solutions can vary significantly depending on the size of the company and the industry.
Schedule a demo with those on the short list
Viewing the software live and navigating the application can be very helpful as long as the activity is professionally prepared. The demo can provide a wealth of information on any bugs, issues, ease of use, and whether most of what you see applies to your business.
Some ERP software vendors tailor the demo to suit your business needs and functionality . There are those who prefer to show it in person and others who choose to give you control so that you can navigate the solution.
The demo can give you a much clearer picture of what the solution can offer.
Contact with each preselected supplier
Prepare your questions. Conversations with ERP vendors should not focus on software. The discussion should be an assessment of improving the efficiency of your business processes . Such a conversation turns toward reducing costs, increasing sales, gaining strategic visibility, improving competitiveness, and toward an understanding of your needs and expectations.
The correct selection of the ERP provider is just as important as the selection of the right ERP system. An ERP is one of the most substantial and important IT investments your company will ever make. The right choice is essential to ensure that you will have a return on investment.
Compare proposals and check references
Compare the formal proposals of each of your top potential ERP companies. And, of course, ask for references relevant to your industry. You need to know your potential technology partner is ready for the business challenges that are relevant to you. However, don’t stop there.
Get in touch with a long-time customer and a new one too. They have very different views on the seller. You must know where the business was and where it currently is.
A new customer will share information about their immediate considerations with you. An older customer will share important information more related to the relationship in the long term.
Some questions to ask yourself are:
- What is the value they have seen in the supplier?
- What do you think of the support services?
- How has the provider adapted to your needs?
Also, don’t be afraid to ask existing customers for access. The willingness of existing customers to share their time in this way is one way to understand their feelings about the value they are receiving from their ERP vendor.
Make a decision
After all the work you’ve done from analyzing your business processes to finding ERP software, it is important that you make a decision, and that you commit to a deadline to decide.
Consider the costs of not implementing a new solution. Although most management systems typically involve an initial investment, keep in mind that the solution will make your business more efficient, smart, and profitable.
The right ERP software automates and optimizes your business processes, creating long-term savings.
