Choosing the Right ERP Solution for Your Business

Enterprise Resource Planning, better known as ERP, has many benefits to a business. It is the cohesive management of various processes of business processes through technology. It involves the collection, storage, and interpretation of multiple activities of a company such as production capacity, inventory status, sales activities, financial, payroll, and many others.

Having the right software for your businesses can have multiple benefits. Choosing the right software can be quite challenging, especially in the current world, where IT solution is a booming business. There are a plethora of IT solution companies that provide ERP services. When choosing the software, it is beneficial for you if you know the things to put into consideration else you stand a high chance of choosing wrongly.

Many businesses target companies that charge the least to maximise their profits. It can become a bummer, especially if you end up selecting an ill-fitting business management solution.

Another risk involves basing your judgment on one single factor which can be price or a preferred software provider. Therefore, it is appropriate for you to understand ERP software as well as how to choose the ideal software for your company. The following are the things to put into consideration when selecting an ERP solution for your business.

It is always appropriate to begin by analyzing your business as well as its environment. Before choosing a business management solution, it is essential to be aware of your current and the projection of your future business needs. Another thing to be mindful of is the various benefits of ERP software. By knowing the advantages of using such software in your business, it is easier to make a better choice when making the selection. It is because you will be well aware of the various services that ERP software offers and the services that are most compatible with your business.

It is also wise to consult with various consultants and ERP companies to get an idea of what they have to offer. Comparing different ERP providers will give you options and suggestions you may not have in the first place. It would be best if you also spoke to people with experience in implementing ERP solutions for similar industries to understand the best fit and practices. When selecting a vendor, there is also a high chance that they would have implemented a similar solution for the same industry which could save you a lot of time because they have the experience and expertise to get the job done for you.

Factors To Consider In Choosing An ERP Solution

Reputation of the Vendor

The first factor to consider in choosing an ERP solution is the reputation of the vendor. Reputation is usually essential since it depicts the true essence of a business or individual. It is possible to know the true nature of a company through reputation since reputation is usually a collection of various testimonials of various clients who have had dealings with the company in the past. You can gather information regarding the ERP solution company from people as well as the Internet. Mostly, various people take to the Internet whenever they wish to express their views about various matters. A company that naturally leaves a good impression on its clients will have a good reputation preceding it. A company that cannot meet most of its customers’ needs has a lousy reputation preceding it. Therefore, it is vital to ensure you choose an ERP solution company with a good reputation.

Experience In Your Industry

Another factor to consider is whether the ERP company has the necessary experience to help you in your industry or niche. To have a successful implementation with fewer hassles, you need to ensure you select a company that has sufficient knowledge regarding your industry. A well-fit ERP solution may be able to meet most of your requirements and require minimal customization. Not all software can be a good fit for your business, so make sure that you ask and check with their references for certainty.
Thus, ensure the company understands your business needs before you hire them to provide your company with its ERP services.

ERP Solution Of Choice

The third factor is in the selection of the ERP software itself. It should be able to fulfil most if not all of your requirements and expectations. The software should also be user-friendly and require very little training to get it up and running. The interface should be easy and intuitive so that all staff can use it with minimal guidance. The solution’s functionality should also carefully match your requirements so that you do not require extensive customisations.

Customer Service and Post Implementation Support

One important factor in an ERP selection is also the company’s customer service and after-sales support. There are various aspects of customer care you need to put in mind. The training will be beneficial for the staff to familiarise themselves with the solution before actually using it live. The vendor should provide training as one of the implementation services. Employees who can see the bigger picture can perform better by making full use of the functionalities and features of the software. Post-implementation support is also equally important as you want to make sure that you have access to help and support when using the solution for the first few months. Check their Service Level Agreement (SLA) to determine the level of support they are providing you. Having a vendor that offers excellent support is essential as they have the expertise to troubleshoot and assist you when the need arises.

Company’s Track Of Record

The company’s track of record is also as important as the software itself. If the company has a lot of experience in implementing this solution and have had good testimonials from their customers, you know that this is a responsible vendor that you can rely on. Most of the time, a potential customer will review the company’s track of record in vendor selection to ensure that they have the right expertise and experience to undertake their ERP implementation project.

Cost of Ownership

Finally, the consideration of cost is also essential when selecting an ERP solution. The company should provide the product and services that you require at a price that you can afford. A company that is not the cheapest may be a better bet as they have probably invested in its resources to ensure that they can provide excellent quality services. Companies who try to undercut by providing a very cheap quotation may not necessarily be the most affordable. You may end up paying a higher price when things go wrong, and you need to hire a new vendor to complete or rectify the job.

Before you start shopping around for the next ERP solution, speak to us as we can provide you with a no-obligation consultation on what may suit you best and how we can help you achieve your business goals.