10 Tips for Successfully Selecting an ERP System - Tip #6

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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

    Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 

      Imagine competing in the Olympics without taking your first lesson. Or racing at the Indy Speedway before you even have a driver’s license. You can’t just jump right in. Even the smartest companies know when they need help from a consultant. Our project implementers have 10 – 25 years’ experience – yielding on time and on budget reputation. We put a high value on shaping the technology to fit each business’ needs while working closely with your team to step-up from Bronze to Silver and then on to Gold.

      For example, a recent client did not include shipping constraints in their original list of needed improvements. Once we dug into the weeds, it was evident that the shipping department had significant limitations. AIT was able to resolve the constraints and streamline their shipping processes – increasing their efficiency and reducing their parcel shipping costs by at least 33%.