ERP solutions are not one-size-fits-all and your selection shouldn’t just be based on buying the most popular- Pt IX

A good enterprise resource planning (ERP) system should have an impact on every single part of your business. These highly sought after enterprise applications help manage activities including planning, research and development, purchasing, supply chain management, sales, and marketing. There are countless ERP software solutions available, so it’s crucial that you make the right ERPNext choice that fits your organization.

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar! That’s the very reason we built this ultra-comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to choose an ERP system. Packed with tips and recommendations, you can use this article as part of your ERP software evaluation checklist.

Questions You Need To Ask Yourself

There are a few things every company should consider when choosing a new ERP software. The following questions do a great job of pointing your business in the direction you want to head with a software vendor. These questions may be answered during a specific phase of your ERP vendor selection, but are generally good to revisit at all stages.

What is the vendor’s reputation?

Consider the following factors when comparing ERP systems and the vendors that provide them. It might even be helpful to create a separate software vendor selection checklist as you hunt for the perfect job card software. This will ensure not only a great system but a great partner for your business.

How the vendor has changed organizationally in recent years
What the vendor’s most recent products are and what new products it plans to issue in the coming years
How long the vendor has been in this industry and how well it understands its customers’ needs
Whether the vendor has specialized experience in providing ERP solutions to organizations of a similar size and type as yours
The future direction of the vendor’s business and whether it is likely to continue in its current form during the lifetime of the ERP platform

What technologies does the ERP solution offer?

Consider the following factors when you’re ready to compare hvac service software or are actively performing your ERP software selection process:

Whether the ERP solution is turnkey or will be customized to your organization and unique business processes
Whether the solution can meet the technical needs of your organization
If the solution is scalable, able to adapt in response to growing users or increases in data
The speed of the product and its impact on the end users
Possible support for multisite or multi-company environments if you need to work with multiple operations

What are the system’s functionalities and ease of use?

These are considerations to have during your entire software selection. Taking the following actions can help you better understand CRM Software, gather your requirements or compare systems.

Consider the current challenges that your organization faces that would be solved or reduced with an ERP system. Evaluate which of the ERP system functionalities would accomplish this and which you plan on actually using.
If possible, arrange for a demonstration to see if the potential end users find the platform easy to use and whether the platform allows them to carry out their daily tasks.
Ask if there is extensive documentation or help files available to assist users with issues they encounter.
Inquire about integration. For instance, how does the CRM interface with the overall ERP?

What will the true cost of the ERP solution be?

Make sure you determine a rough estimate of your ROI before you sign any kind of contract.

Evaluate the cost of the ehs software platform and whether it is appropriate for the functionalities it offers.
Determine if the charges will be one-time or recurring. If it’s the latter, decide whether your organization can truly afford to use this system on a continuous basis. Find out the charges for annual maintenance as well as any upgrades.
Consider any hidden costs that might not be immediately apparent. Calculate the long-term total cost of ownership (TCO) for all aspects of the system, including hardware, software and support.
Once you have finished with these evaluations, estimate whether the projected return on investment will be significantly more than the costs.

What kind of support and training will be provided?

Don’t wait until your implementation suffers to ask about vendor support and training. Hit the ground running by understanding what’s available to your company before you choose a system.

How the vendor will ensure a successful ERP implementation
What the process is for organizations to smoothly transition to the use of the new system
Any training that will be available to the members of your organization during and after the installation process
The availability of the system’s source code once the platform is in place so you can develop the software and fix bugs in-house
If the source code will not be available, find out how often the vendor plans on fixing bugs or how often they plan to release system updates
Whether the vendor offers in-house support or outsources to another company

ERP Selection Process and Quick Start Guide

Now that you’ve had a chance to think about some of the key ERP selection criteria you should consider when buying an ERP, it’s time to talk about the formal ERP vendor selection process. This easy-to-follow. four-stage approach helps you determine your business needs, evaluate and compare solutions, validate your technical requirements, and negotiate a great contract.

If you want to select field service management software correctly, you should not just consider features, but go through the formal ERP selection process as follows:

Requirements and Research

You can think of your list of requirements as an ERP selection criteria checklist. Requirements are what your business needs from a software solution. This will help you decide whether ERP is the right fit for your business.

Requirements Gathering

When evaluating business requirements, keep in mind that ERP’s greatest advantages lie in comprehensive data analysis, thorough and accurate reporting functions, and multiple process automation capabilities. We’ve outlined some excellent questions to ask above as well as in this ERP requirements list. Here are some additional ideas:

Evaluate your current business operations and how manufacturing software can fit into them. For example, do you need a responsive solution to accommodate your employees using mobile devices? What are the reporting and metrics that will be most useful to you when running your business?
Consult with senior-level executives who can engage and encourage employees in the process of implementation. If possible, appoint a team to oversee the process of selection and installation, including an executive and a project manager.
Take honest stock of the ways your business could and should change. Determine the ways ERP capabilities can transform your operations and improve business performance.

Preliminary Research

Armed with your specific business requirements, you can now perform preliminary research to see which ERP system meets your needs. You can do most of this research online, but you can also contact ERP vendors and seek informed opinions from colleagues who use ngo accounting software. Also, consider ERP consultants as potential resources to find the right fit for your business.

Vendor Comparison and Sourcing

Informal Enquiries

Use the information you’ve obtained from requirements gathering and research to help you get relevant, informative answers from potential vendors. This makes it very easy to determine whether a vendor fits your needs.

Make sure the vendor’s product works with your existing legacy systems.
Check whether the vendor has experience in your industry, which increases the likelihood of a smooth transition.
Verify that the vendor completely understands your business needs and provide the vendor with any project plan you’ve drawn up.