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The ERP Selection Process

For over thirty years Attivo has specialized in providing small and mid-sized businesses with affordable ERP solutions to increase operational efficiencies to save them time and money and enable their growth. As a team of highly experienced consultants, Attivo can assist you with the analysis and selection process.

Where To Start ERP Selection

Choosing the right ERP system for your business requires a careful evaluation of the specific needs of your business. Every business has specific pains and challenges that need to be identified, and the final decision on an ERP system needs to be based on how well it addresses those pains and challenges, as well as the 3–5-year growth plan. That’s where a Business Process Assessment comes in.

A Business Process Assessment (BPA) is an end to end systematic examination of an organization’s current processes to identify inefficiencies, areas for improvement, and potential cost savings.

This a 360-degree evaluation your management team can achieve with total transparency of your business processes. This is a detailed survey of each area of your organization with participation by your team, done in a highly efficient manner without causing disruption to your daily operations.  It’s also painless and highly affordable for your organization.

During the Business Process Assessment, we identify areas of waste and inefficiencies that create hidden costs. The outcome of this examination is a comprehensive list of inefficiencies and process problems, along with the advice on how these processes can be optimized using best practices. It is the Roadmap for Process Improvement for your business. This is far more valuable than the short list of system requirements that your team may have developed.

Talk to one of our consultants to learn more about the ERP selection process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What happens after the BPA?

    The comprehensive and prioritized list of pains and challenges provides the guidelines for ERP selection. These challenges are typically in support of the value that you bring to your customers and your competitive advantage!

  • Where do we begin to find the best match?

    All ERP systems will handle the basic blocking and tackling that the business needs, but which one will best address those challenges? The best place to start is with the most widely used ERP solutions. The top four most widely used ERP systems for small manufacturers, distributors, eCommerce, and service businesses, ranked by the number of companies using them, are:

    • SAP Business One
    • Oracle NetSuite
    • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
    • Acumatica
  • Why is this a good idea?
    1. Business Risk – Avoid investing in a system where a small developer may go out of business, or where you are limited in where you can get the support that you need for the system.
    2. Hiring and Onboarding – Filling critical positions in accounting or other areas becomes easier if your candidates already have experience with your chosen ERP.
    3. Business Valuation – The value of your business will be significantly greater if you have a well-known and well-implemented ERP system.
    4. Developer Strength – Choose a developer that is committed to further development and “future proofing” of their ERP products.
    5. Network of reseller and support organizations – Choose a developer that will always provide you with choices with whom you want to do business.
    6. Large Add-On and Vertical Industry Solution marketplace – for all of the needs not met by the ERP system itself.
  • Suppose several ERPs appear to be a good fit?

    If you haven’t eliminated the choices due to price or other reason, it may look like more than one of these solutions will work for you. What then?

    Attivo can help you perform a Proof of Concept (POC) of the systems before making the final decision. Rather than waiting days before a demo can be set up, we’ll get them side-by-side for you. With samples of your data, performing the most critical business processes that your company needs, a “best fit” easily emerges during this comparison.

  • What is the most important factor in selecting an ERP?

    The most important factor in ERP Selection is choosing the right implementation partner! ERP software requires a skilled implementation team to accomplish the project. This type of talent is rarely on your staff already, and this project is too important to trust that someone can get to it when they already have a full-time job.

What You Should Look For In An Implementation Partner:

Industry Knowledge

does your partner understand your business? Have they implemented the ERP solution for businesses like yours before?

Implementation PROCESS

Does the partner have a clearly defined process and timeline for the implementation that you understand?

Bench Strength

Is the group large enough to offer multiple resources with multiple skill sets to complete the project? Are the resources in your time zone or the other side of the world? Having a “local” provider is no longer as important as it was a few years ago.

Full Service

Can the implementation partner handle all your needs beyond implementation such as training, ongoing support, cloud hosting and add-on software support? Don’t be left in the middle when the finger pointing starts!

References

Ask for several and be sure to check them.

ERP Selection Considerations

The most common mistake for first-time ERP buyers is to consider price as one of the top considerations for ERP selection, leaving their choice of implementer somewhere near the bottom of the list. A good implementer can make or break the implementation and its intended outcome. The second-time ERP buyer makes their choice of implementation partner the most important consideration!

Now is an ideal time for you to make the move that will take your organization to the next level. Let’s get started – schedule an exploratory phone call today. Our team is standing by!

 

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Interested in learning more?

Our consultants are ready to answer any of your questions.

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