ERP Solution Checklist –

What to ask before you buy Enterprise Resource Planning Software?

Before committing to an ERP system you should first look closely at what your organisation needs and wants to achieve with its ERP strategy. This fact find will help determine which application and what kind of functionality your organisation requires form its ERP system. After compiling this information you can then start to understand which vendors will provide and meet your needs. As we all know there isn’t a complete ERP solution that fits all so, PSA Software fits all PS firms, for example. You should be able to find an ERP solution that fits your business, different ERP products focus on different industries/company sizes. ERP solutions can no longer be chosen just on product merit, you have to look very closely at vendors that specialise in your specific industry. Being intelligent with your selection will go a long way towards easing the implementation process.

What are the specific business problems you’re solving with ERP?

For example – do you need to improve employee utilization and shorten project time frames? Is instant transparency and collaborative knowledge needed? Functionality?

Who will be the ERP project manager?

One person- an outside consultant or a current employee should be in charge of managing the process to choose an ERP solution, coordinating demos, consultations. You need someone with strong leadership skills that can bring together all other department heads (finance, sales, HR, services).

What are the goals and metrics that you will use to measure the success of your organisation’s new ERP system?

Your organisation should have certain KPI’s that are tracked on a regular basis, these would be a good starting point.

Do your organisation’s business leaders support this ERP implementation project?  

Everybody needs to be involved in deciding which business processes are included in your ERP system. Adoption is key to a successful implementation and by involving your employees at an early stage you’re half way there.

What features and functions do you need from your new ERP solution that will help increase user’s productivity and provide access to the business data users most need?

-          Customization
-          Functionality
-          Will staff need access at home via a desktop, laptop or pda
-          Is your organisation departmental across different geographical areas
-          Is your organisation international? Does the system nee to support a variety of languages?

 If your organisation operates globally, are there foreign currencies and languages that your ERP solution must support?

-          Does your system need to transact business in any number of global currencies?
-          Will multi-currency integrate with accounting, project control, project planning, resource management and CRM
-          Is your organisation international? Does the system nee to support a variety of languages?

With which modules will you begin rolling out your ERP package?

First roll out the features that will meet your organisation’s most dire needs, taking implementation in stages will help your IT Manager and ERP users to adopt new processes.

What technology will we need to support the software?

-          Is the software browser based?
-          Do you have an in house application support team?
-          Will you need – Activex controls, plug ins, applets or proprietary controls?
-          Are you looking for an on-premise solution or cloud?
-          Will your hosting solution need reviewing?

Which user will need training on the new system?

Adoption is integral to a successful ERP system, what training will we need, and how will the vendor supply this?

Vendor Acceptance?

-          Look closely at your industry and the vendors with experience in your specific market
-          Check references and background – clients, white papers, blogs
-          How well do they know my industry? Training and Implementation? Updating? Support?