Choosing Right ERP Consultant for the Job No Matter what ERP System You Use

Important considerations for ERP consultant selection

The main goal of an ERP consultant is to help your company with the various different stages of an ERP implementation; from ERP selection, to planning, installation, training, and everything in between.  Do you have to work with an ERP consultant? No, but it truly is in your best interest to find an ERP consultant that you trust and work with them for your next ERP project. Here’s why.

Alright, so you agree with us when we say an ERP consultant is a must for any ERP project, but choosing the right ERP consultant is paramount to having a successful project that stays within your budget, within your time-frame, and doesn’t make your team want to rip out all of their hair or quit in the process. If you have ever suffered through an ERP project with a consultant that wasn’t the right fit, you know what we mean.

A successful partnership is a successful partnership no matter which ERP system you use; here are few questions to ask yourself before you get started and some important things to keep in mind so you don’t end up with an ERP horror story of your own.

Be prepared for the conversation:

Before you start actively calling around and talking with potential consultants, ask yourself the following questions to make sure your conversations with them are meaningful:

• What do you want to see in a consulting team?
• What do you have to see?
• What can you compromise on?
• What is your budget?
• Is there any wiggle room in that budget?
• What is your time frame?

Once those questions are answered, you can start vetting your potential ERP consultants. Keep the following in mind as you do so:

• Selecting the right consultant depends greatly on your specific needs and the consultant’s strengths. For example, do not choose a consultant with general industry knowledge if you have complex manufacturing requirements and do not select a consultant that has minimal experience working with the ERP system you use.
• Select a consultant who has multiple resources available who work with your ERP system. While working with the biggest companies is not always the best way to go, you do need to make sure the consultant has resource availability to make sure you are well taken care of and can balance their customers.
• While it is not mission-critical that your ERP consultant be in close geographic proximity to your company, you should consider this as you make your selection since there will be travel time and expenses associated if the consultant needs to travel to you. 
• You want your ERP consultant to be an extension of your team and your business. Choose a partner who will mesh well with your team, has the same work ethic, and fits in nicely with your culture. The stronger your relationship is with your ERP consultant, the stronger your ERP system will be; so take care in choosing a partner you can imagine yourself sticking with for the long-term.

There is no science when it comes to picking an ERP consultant to work with, but companies that choose a consultant wisely can be richly rewarded with a smoother, more effective ERP project.

e2b teknologies is a Microsoft Managed Partner providing cloud-based business software applications and business services to progressive businesses worldwide including ERP/CRM consulting and development, accounts receivable management software, SCM software, B2B e-commerce software, and other business software applications

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by Jeanne Lee