Top Three Things to Consider During the ERP Selection Process

Top Three Things to Consider During the ERP Selection Process

By Matt Lesseuer, Vice President at Terillium

ERP selection and implementation processes are not for the faint of heart. Choosing the right Enterprise Resource Planning system can be complicated, and often there is a lot at stake. You want to make the best possible choice for your business. But there are ways to make it easier on yourself and your team. There are many factors to consider, below are some of the top factors I recommend for anyone thinking about a new ERP.

1. DEFINE WHY YOU ARE DOING THE PROJECT.

An ERP implementation is not just an IT project – it’s a business project. What will make your ERP implementation a success for your organization? Do you have key metrics for measuring that success? Do you have any challenges that are you trying to overcome? What value will a new enterprise application bring to the company – what departments will benefit the most?

2. DETERMINE WHO WILL BE INVOLVED.

Having the right people involved in discussions with software providers and vendor partners from the beginning is key. This will help bring the team together and get everyone on the same page as far as what requirements your business has – this will ultimately allow you to choose the system that will work best for your needs.

This includes determining project leaders, the departments involved, down to how many system users you will have. Having a committee will help you in your ERP system search, and will also help you with planning and budgeting. Knowing how many end users will help determine the Total Cost of Ownership for different products. This will also help you evaluate if you are looking for cloud versus on-premise solutions.You will need a plan for who will fill in for employees who are on the project, and taken away from their normal responsibilities.

Because ERP is a business project, and not just an IT project, top executives within the organization need to be involved and fully visible from the beginning to the end of the process.

3. FIND AN ERP PARTNER WHO YOU TRUST.

Understand that each ERP vendor partner has their own specialty, so find a partner that is aligned with what is most important to your ERP project success, as well as overall IT and business strategies. Finding a vendor partner with financial stability and future vision is another key consideration.Every consulting firm also has an ERP methodology (or they should). Look for a partner with a formal approach, one with a successful track record. It’s important to find a vendor partner with not only a proven project methodology – but one who is also flexible and can adapt and understand your organization’s specific needs.
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Matt Lesseuer has 17 years of experience helping business leaders find the solutions they need to meet their most challenging business requirements. Over the course of his career Matt has gained expertise in enterprise software, specifically ERP, as well as the business processes behind the technology. During his time with Terillium, Matt has helped hundreds of clients find effective solutions.