Want your new ERP system to actually work?
Every business reaches a stage when spreadsheets can’t keep up with growth. So you purchase an ERP system to centralise everything:
- Finance
- Inventory
- Sales
Here’s the problem:
Software only does half the work. The partner who installs it determines if your project is a huge success… or costly migraine.
Pick the wrong partner, and you pay for it twice.
Need help finding the right ERP partner for you? This article covers exactly what you should be looking for. So you don’t spend months(and dollars) with the wrong group.
Let’s jump in!
Here’s what’s inside:
- Why Your ERP Partner Matters More Than The Software
- What To Look For When Choosing An ERP Partner
- Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
- The Simple 5 Step Partner Selection Method
Why Your ERP Partner Matters More Than The Software
Most business owners spend weeks comparing ERP software. Features, prices, demos… the lot.
Then they spend a few days picking the partner who will install it.
That’s backwards.
The statistics speak for themselves. According to a Panorama Consulting survey, only 35% finished on budget with ERP implementations. That implies that most budgets are exceeded. Gartner predicts that by 2027 over 70% of new ERP implementations will fail to meet their original business objectives.
Why? Nine times out of ten, it isn’t the software. It’s the implementation. Awful data migration, poor training and staff who don’t understand how your business actually operates.
An effective implementation partner remedies all that. They document your processes, migrate your data cleanly and train your users so people utilise the system.
Think about it like this:
The software is the engine. The partner is the mechanic who installs it. A great engine won’t run if installed incorrectly.
That’s why choosing an ERP partner should start with the people, not the product. If your business runs on SAP Business One, for instance, evaluate local sap business one partners singapore based on their track record, industry expertise and support hours before you sign a contract. The same principle applies to any ERP platform… partner with an implementation team that knows your system and industry thoroughly.
What To Look For When Choosing An ERP Partner
All partners are not created equal. Some are awesome. Others are mere resellers who disappear overnight after go-live.
Here’s what separates the good from the bad.
Real Industry Experience
Your partner should have experience working with companies similar to yours. If a team has implemented ERP for 20 manufacturers, they understand manufacturing pain points. They are not learning from your budget.
Ask your prospects for references from your industry. Then request to speak to those clients. A strong partner will gladly oblige. A weak partner will make excuses.
Certified Skills On Your Platform
ERP vendors partner certify. This ensures the team has undergone proper training and product expertise.
Always check:
- Their certification level with the vendor
- How many certified consultants they have
- How long they’ve worked with the platform
Simple, right?
Clear, Honest Pricing
Biggest takeaway from this one. In their K3 survey, 71% wanted more transparent partners regarding project total costs.
That tells you something…
One of the most common causes of ERP cost overruns is unexpected costs. A reliable partner will provide you with an all-inclusive quote from the start. It should cover licences, implementation, data migration, training and support.
When something seems too cheap to be true, it probably is. Just expect additional costs down the road.
Support After Go-Live
Go-live isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting line.
Your team will have questions. Bugs will arise. Reports will need adjusting. You need someone who is there post-launch AND actually picks up the phone when things go awry.
Ask how quickly they respond to support tickets. Ask whether support is local or outsourced. Little things like this matter greatly six months down the road.
Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
Sometimes the best decision is saying no. Watch out for partners who:
- Promise a go-live date before they understand your business
- Push heavy customisation from day one
- Can’t give you any client references
- Skip over training and change management
That last one is a biggie.
The coolest ERP system in the universe won’t help you if your employees refuse to use it. A great partner thinks of training as part of the plan from day one… not an add-on.
The Simple 5 Step Partner Selection Method
Are you ready to meet your match? Try this simple trick to meet them without spending weeks!
Step #1: Write Down Your Must-Haves
Write down what you want the system to do for you before you talk to anyone. Consider your biggest pain points at the moment. Lengthy month-end close? Cluttered inventory counts? Jot them down.
This list keeps every conversation focused on what matters.
Step #2: Shortlist 3 Partners
Find trusted partners for your ERP platform locally. Read their case studies. Look up reviews. Then select the top 3 that best align with your business.
Three is just right. Plenty to compare… but not so many that you are overwhelmed.
Step #3: Run A Discovery Call
A good partner asks more questions than they answer during the first call. They want to know about your business before pitching you anything.
If they jump straight into a flashy sales demo, that’s a warning sign.
Step #4: Compare Quotes Side By Side
Ask each partner for a detailed written quote. Then line them up and compare:
- Setup costs
- Training hours
- Support fees
- Estimated timeline
Now you can clearly see who’s offering real value and who’s hiding costs.
Step #5: Check References
Cold call at least 2 previous clients per partner. Ask what happened, what they like, what they didn’t like, and whether they would rehire them.
This one phone call can save you thousands.
The Bottom Line
Selecting an ERP partner is one of the most important decisions you will make for your company. Done correctly, your new system will practically pay for itself. Done poorly, you will lose time, money and plenty of patience.
To quickly recap:
- Pick the partner before you fall in love with the software
- Look for industry experience and certified skills
- Demand clear, honest pricing
- Make sure support continues after go-live
- Follow the 5 step method and always check references
Keep things simple. Do your research up front, and the rest of your ERP project will flow effortlessly.
Wanda H. writes the kind of expert financial advice content that people actually send to each other. Not because it's flashy or controversial, but because it's the sort of thing where you read it and immediately think of three people who need to see it. Wanda has a talent for identifying the questions that a lot of people have but haven't quite figured out how to articulate yet — and then answering them properly.
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