Running a business means you are faced with several complex challenges every day. From IT to payroll, you need to make decisions to overcome challenges while grabbing business opportunities as they arrive.
As a system, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has made a significant impact in recent years. Making the day-to-day running of business less of a time-consuming challenge by taking care of the small but important stuff, the right ERP software will make a big difference to your business.
Or it can- IF you invest in the right system.
Evolving over time, it can be difficult to sort through all the options, wondering which one is right for you. Thus, high-quality ERP consulting services will look at a range of factors.
1. Competitive Pricing
Clearly, as an additional cost to your business, you need to have the confidence it is a wise investment that will bring about a return on investment. To maximize the potential return of ERP consulting services from an agency it needs to come in at a competitive price.
2. Credible Implementation Process
It is a significant investment and one on which your business will rely. ERP software is also a significant functional change to your business, so you need to know the ‘how and when’ of introducing the system to your business. In effect, an ERP consulting service will need to show a clear and comprehensive ERP implementation process. How much support will your business get?
3. Benefits from day 1
Long-term, the benefits of running ERP software should be clear and unequivocal. Ideally, however, it should start these returns from day one. For example, a system that provides a clear, visible ‘picture’ across the business is valuable information – can this be delivered?
4. Adaptable
You know how your business has changed over the years and you can, with a certain degree of certainty, predict how it will change in the future. But there is always a hint of the unknown, and as such, you need a piece of ERP kit that can scale with your business as it ebbs and flows. Consider just how flexible the system and support package is. Will you have outgrown it within months?
5. Innovation without Disruption
Continuity of productivity is of paramount importance to any business. Can you afford for everything to be offline or even a disruption in services while an ERP software package is rolled out? Look for minimal downtime with minimal disruption. But also bear in mind how this links with the credible implementation process too.
6. Support
What support do you need and what support is offered? There should not be a negative gap between these – in other words, your business shouldn’t be left wanting. What kind of expertise is the ERP consulting service offering? Just as important is considering how this support is delivered. Is it a case of online support where quick questions and concerns can be answered? Look for a scalable and responsive support system.
7. Configuration
An ERP system should be configurable to your business. There are commonalities between one business and another, but they are few and far between. Just how adaptable is the system and how easy is it to configure to your own bespoke needs?
In effect, you shouldn’t be making big business administration and process changes to fit the ERP system but the other way around.
Is an ERP system worth it?
Yes, it is but only if the system fits with your business, offering to support key business processes rather than detract from them.