ERP software evaluation is a big proposition, not just in terms of dollars, but in terms of dedicated resources, company commitment and learning curve realities. The ERP selection process is one that is often riddled with uncertainties and confusion – even stress.
Ever plan a vacation? The meticulous attention to detail. The worrying about everyone’s personalities and interests – and capabilities. Exploring where it is you really want to go. Organizing the items to take with you – and what to leave behind. The budgeting. Would you believe all those same concerns are present when searching for ERP software? Careful planning coupled with in-depth identification of your company’s true ERP goals is vital. After all, you don’t want to embark on an ERP implementation journey only to arrive at a destination that is not in the best interests of your company’s growth.
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Here’s 5 vacation planning questions that can help you plan your route to ERP success.
#1 Who’s all going?
Companies that tend to struggle the most with ERP selection are the ones that lack upper management level involvement. As executive leadership embrace, support and nurture an ERP implementation, so follow the workforce. No ERP selection is successful without strong upper management participation.
#2 Where do we want to go?
Your ERP solution needs to be flexible, modular and open – a comprehensive solution that delivers not only productivity, but scalability, for your business operations. The best ERP systems are those with open module architecture and support for everything from purchase management and project management to finance management. In choosing an ERP solution to take your company where it wants to go, it is essential to identify and map out the problems your ERP solution will need to solve. List goals you want your company to accomplish – and what you expect your ERP solution to do to facilitate these goals.
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#3 What do we need to pack?
Make sure your ERP selection process seeks out ERP software solutions with strong planning, forecasting, data warehousing, contact management, marketing management, mobile business intelligence, security management and risk management attributes. Powerful business intelligence drives the best ERP solutions on the market today.
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#4 How will we get there?
Should you go with a cloud-based ERP solution or install ERP software on your own servers? Perhaps you should buy the on-premise ERP application and have it hosted in the cloud. Each choice has pros and cons. A local install is carries an initial capital expenditure, but is balanced by lower ongoing maintenance fees. A cloud-based solution costs much less upfront, but may have higher maintenance fees in the long-term. Select a route to ERP efficiency that offers options that suit to your immediate, as well as future, system requirements.
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#5 Do we need a travel agent?
The ERP partner you select needs to provide you with energized and readily available support and resources throughout the adoption process to best leverage your team’s full buy-in of your ERP solution. Facing the realization of implementing an ERP solution is only half the equation when it comes to ensuring a successful deployment of your next-level operational standard. When implementing an ERP solution, the partner you select is just as critical, if not more so, than the solution you intend to utilize. Purchasing and implementing an ERP system is a complex undertaking, requiring technological leadership – and partnering – to ensure success. Get the right consulting guidance and support to plot out a smooth trip.
Keep in mind, powerful business intelligence drives the best ERP solutions on the market today. Not all ERP solutions share the same intelligence — scrutinize your ERP selections and target the one capable of taking your business where it needs to go.