10 Tips for Successfully Selecting an ERP System - Tip #10

Ready to go!

Whatever process you have taken, you have finally arrived at the point where your company is going to start the journey of selecting and implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.  You have strong executive leadership and buy-in, now what? There’s a common phrase that states, “you only get out what you put into it”. Simply put, how well or poorly you plan a project or initiative will largely pre-determine the outcome. Now, you are venturing into the ERP application space. To select the best, most appropriate application and vendor, there are key points that are common, if not universal, to companies that have been successful with their ERP projects.

In this ongoing series, we’ll share best practices garnered from decades of working with customers whose ERP implementation success was pre-determined by their planning and execution thereof. 

1.     Ensure the Project is Properly Staffed and Budgeted

2.     Establish an Executive Sponsored Project Team

3.     Make a Requirements List but Focus on the High-Level Differentiators

4.     Plan for What You Need Today and Tomorrow. Or as Wayne Gretzky said: “I skate to                      where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

5.     Be Open with Your Vendors

6.     Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 

7.     Limit Your Short List and Schedule Demos Fairly Close Together

8.     Focus on Value vs. Bells and Whistles

9.     Focus on The Implementation Partner during your Selection Process 

10.   Fully Utilize References to Aid in your Selection Process

Fully Utilize References to Aid in your Selection Process

Every prospective vendor/partner will promise to deliver on time and on budget, but can they live up to that promise? Our customers will confirm that our reputation on this assurance, is solid.

Every vendor will give you 3 customers who love them. Count on that. Contact those references and investigate – interview them by asking questions that back up a vendor’s claims. Demonstrate genuine interest in the customer reference. For example, we suggest that you visit them – observe what they’re doing and how they are doing it. Ask the reference what it looks like when unforeseen issues arise. How are these issues addressed internally? With the vendor? How are they resolved? What is the turn around for resolution with the vendor support system? Is there a vendor support system? The more prepared you are to ask questions and get specific examples during your visit, the clearer the picture of the vendor relationship and ERP technology will be.

10 Tips for Successfully Selecting an ERP System - Tip #9

Ready to go!

Whatever process you have taken, you have finally arrived at the point where your company is going to start the journey of selecting and implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.  You have strong executive leadership and buy-in, now what? There’s a common phrase that states, “you only get out what you put into it”. Simply put, how well or poorly you plan a project or initiative will largely pre-determine the outcome. Now, you are venturing into the ERP application space. To select the best, most appropriate application and vendor, there are key points that are common, if not universal, to companies that have been successful with their ERP projects.

In this ongoing series, we’ll share best practices garnered from decades of working with customers whose ERP implementation success was pre-determined by their planning and execution thereof. 

1.     Ensure the Project is Properly Staffed and Budgeted

2.     Establish an Executive Sponsored Project Team

3.     Make a Requirements List but Focus on the High-Level Differentiators

4.     Plan for What You Need Today and Tomorrow. Or as Wayne Gretzky said: “I skate to                      where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

5.     Be Open with Your Vendors

6.     Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 

7.     Limit Your Short List and Schedule Demos Fairly Close Together

8.     Focus on Value vs. Bells and Whistles

9.     Focus on The Implementation Partner during your Selection Process 

10.   Fully Utilize References to Aid in your Selection Process

Focus on The Implementation Partner during your Selection Process 

Most ERP applications will cover 70-80% of your business requirements. Satisfying the last 20-30% can make or break a project. Accomplishing this takes experience, creativity and a deep understanding of the inner workings of your operation. Establishing a team that includes the implementation partner is critical from the outset of the project and is best when it stretches back into your selection process. Don’t just focus on the features and functionality of the software when making your decision. In weighing and valuing options, consider the strengths and fit of the implementation partner as it impacts the overall project. Cloudsuite Industrial (SyteLine) software is built to be personalized and customized as well as or better than any other ERP solution in the industry. Select an implementation partner that will personalize your software to optimally fit your operation.

10 Tips for Successfully Selecting an ERP System - Tip #8

Ready to go!

Whatever process you have taken, you have finally arrived at the point where your company is going to start the journey of selecting and implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.  You have strong executive leadership and buy-in, now what? There’s a common phrase that states, “you only get out what you put into it”. Simply put, how well or poorly you plan a project or initiative will largely pre-determine the outcome. Now, you are venturing into the ERP application space. To select the best, most appropriate application and vendor, there are key points that are common, if not universal, to companies that have been successful with their ERP projects.

In this ongoing series, we’ll share best practices garnered from decades of working with customers whose ERP implementation success was pre-determined by their planning and execution thereof. 

1.     Ensure the Project is Properly Staffed and Budgeted

2.     Establish an Executive Sponsored Project Team

3.     Make a Requirements List but Focus on the High-Level Differentiators

4.     Plan for What You Need Today and Tomorrow. Or as Wayne Gretzky said: “I skate to                      where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

5.     Be Open with Your Vendors

6.     Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 

7.     Limit Your Short List and Schedule Demos Fairly Close Together

8.     Focus on Value vs. Bells and Whistles

9.     Focus on The Implementation Partner during your Selection Process 

10.   Fully Utilize References to Aid in your Selection Process

Focus on Value vs. Bells and Whistles 

     Your entire ERP project should be geared toward value and return. Not just the bells and whistles. Sure, it’s slick that you can change the color of your dashboard, but what’s the value and return on investment to the company, the department, the user?

     We often walk into a company that has been mesmerized by the flashing lights, song, and dance presented by our competition. Isn’t this a beautiful report? Look at this wonderful dashboard! Only to find out, that the underlying data and disciplines required to provide that report or dashboard, are not available in the technology or require more effort to maintain than what the company’s resources can sustain.

      Both you and your partner should be focused on the total value that an ERP solution provides to your organization at all levels and applications rather than simply just on this bell or that whistle.  You’re making this important decision to invest in your company’s future, so prioritizing value is essential.

10 Tips for Successfully Selecting an ERP System - Tip #7

Ready to go!

Whatever process you have taken, you have finally arrived at the point where your company is going to start the journey of selecting and implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.  You have strong executive leadership and buy-in, now what? There’s a common phrase that states, “you only get out what you put into it”. Simply put, how well or poorly you plan a project or initiative will largely pre-determine the outcome. Now, you are venturing into the ERP application space. To select the best, most appropriate application and vendor, there are key points that are common, if not universal, to companies that have been successful with their ERP projects.

In this ongoing series, we’ll share best practices garnered from decades of working with customers whose ERP implementation success was pre-determined by their planning and execution thereof. 

1.     Ensure the Project is Properly Staffed and Budgeted

2.     Establish an Executive Sponsored Project Team

3.     Make a Requirements List but Focus on the High-Level Differentiators

4.     Plan for What You Need Today and Tomorrow. Or as Wayne Gretzky said: “I skate to                      where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

5.     Be Open with Your Vendors

6.     Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 

7.     Limit Your Short List and Schedule Demos Fairly Close Together

8.     Focus on Value vs. Bells and Whistles

9.     Focus on The Implementation Partner during your Selection Process 

10.   Fully Utilize References to Aid in your Selection Process

Limit Your Short List and Schedule Demos Fairly Close Together

      We routinely see prospects evaluating 10 vendors. That would be overwhelming to anyone! We recommend doing initial research on several and narrowing it down to focus on the few you think will be a good fit for your organization. It takes quality time to build a rapport on both sides. This relationship should last more than 10 years. Don’t hurry this part of the process. Once the journey of scheduling demos and proof of concepts is underway; you won’t be able to do justice to your evaluation if too many vendors are on your short list. Limit your options to three or four candidates.

      Schedule vendor presentations as close together as possible. A lot of information can be thrown your way during these presentations.  By spreading out the demos, you diminish your ability to compare apples to apples. Alternatively, by scheduling them closer together, you’ll be in a much better position to make head-to-head comparisons based on your key criteria.