ERP Selection: 8 Considerations for ERP Selection

10 August 2017 in Epicor ERP, Epicor ERP ROI, ERP Project Management, ERP Solution Selection

ERP Selection: 8 Considerations for ERP Selection

When you recognize that your ERP system is no longer keeping up with your business requirements, or your customer’s expectations, then you know it’s time to start evaluating your options. If you’re reading this, you’re probably already there.

In doing so, one can’t help but notice how much ERP systems have changed in recent years. With all the options, great consideration should be taken when narrowing down choices as not only are modern systems more robust than their predecessors, there are also more solutions to choose from.

Today’s ERP systems should first be narrowed down through the typical elimination process which considers budget, company size, and industry. Next one should consider whether a cloud-based solution is of interest. Some newer solutions are cloud only, whereas some of the names you’ve heard before offer options for deployment in the cloud, on-premise or as a hybrid solution. With Epicor ERP for example, the corporate location can be deployed on-premise with one or more subsidiaries deployed in the cloud – this is what is known as a hybrid deployment.

Choosing an ERP system is a process that should be well organized. When researching ERP systems, you want an ERP system that can address your current business challenges while providing you with the flexibility and scalability to grow and change when needed. Sounds simple, especially if one considers where technology is today, but in the past long-term flexibility was not so simple.

Knowing the overall business requirements, common challenges, and goals will help your project team identify the best solution overall. Before getting too far into your ERP project, a project team should be formed. Your project team should include departmental representatives from each area with your organization that is impacted by your ERP. Departmental representatives should have a good understanding of business processes and some of the unique ERP challenges faced by their department.

Gathering input from managers and ERP users, the representatives will be tasked to create a prioritized wish list of features and functionality that their group would like to see in the new ERP system; the individual lists will be used to create a single list with company-wide priorities . This final list is a great organization tool as it will help the project team better understand, from a company-wide perspective, the primary goals and objectives for the new ERP system. Also, later in the sales cycle, the master priority list can also be used to help your team stay focused and in control of the software demonstration process.

Goals for ERP are individual, but there is a common thread amongst today’s business leaders. Many organizations are looking for an ERP system that can help them improve efficiencies, reduce costs, have better access to data, make more informed decisions, meet growth objectives, expand internationally and more.

Once your project team has a good understanding of the ideal ERP solution,then the team should consider the following:

How Much of an ERP System is Needed
Business Goals and Objectives Today and Tomorrow
Budget
Cost to Maintain
Technology Platform
Customizations
Ease of Upgrades
Changing ERP Requirements – Scalability and Flexibility

A new ERP system is a project that must be well thought out as ERP is the backbone of your business and will be with you for many years to come. If managed correctly, your business will be rewarded with a better Return on Investment (ROI) from their ERP through improved efficiencies, access to information, cost savings and more.

If you have any questions about this blog, or would like to learn more about Epicor ERP, you may email sales@mis-c.com or contact MIS at our US or Canadian offices.

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