When selecting ERP Solutions, it is critical to consider the company with which you may be partnering. In many ways, selecting an ERP system is a significant decision that will have long-term consequences for your business. However, it is not solely about the product (although making sure it has a good evaluation is important). The partnership you form with the vendor must also be the best option for your company. This partnership should make you feel good on many levels, but here are the top three things to think about as you look around:
ERP evaluation entails far more than most people realise. Download this free checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the bases.
1. The organization’s size
How big is the ERP software development company? Because your ERP system will be the backbone of your company, the central engine for all business processes, its longevity is critical to your future success. If the vendor that supports your ERP is insecure, so is your ERP. This is a good thing if you are partnering with a vendor who has a long track record of stability and is profitable. You want a company with a large footprint and a long list of satisfied customers to attest to the fact that it isn’t going away anytime soon.
2. Strategy
What is the ERP vendor’s overall product strategy? Is one available? Because ERP software is so important to a company’s success, it’s critical to select a vendor who invests in the product on a regular basis to improve its functionality and keep it up to date with the latest technological standards. You want your investment to “breathe,” changing as the market changes.
Understanding what an ERP Development Company has done in the past can help you figure out what it is doing with its software now. Inquire about the number of releases made in the last five years, as well as the frequency of future releases. What is the retention rate of current customers on maintenance if you choose on-premise deployment with annual maintenance? These kinds of questions can provide insight into the company’s product development strategy.
3. Service and Sales
How does your relationship change after you “sign on the dotted line?” That’s a broad question, but one that many people overlook. An ERP system is an investment; if done correctly, it can lead to a 20-year relationship with the ERP development firm. So it’s critical to understand whether the ERP vendor sees things similarly or whether a sale is viewed as a one-and-done transaction.
Some businesses will assign you a salesperson for the sale, new contact for implementation, and yet another contact after you go live. Others have a single point of contact who stays with you throughout the entire process—from becoming a customer to going live to a continuous improvement path. It may seem insignificant, but companies with a single point of contact for the duration of your relationship treat you far differently than those who hire a salesperson solely to make a sale. Consider the type of partnership you want to form!
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