What are the best practices to select and work with an ERP implementation partner?

1 Define your goals and scope

Before you start looking for an ERP implementation partner, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your ERP system, and what are the specific requirements and expectations of your business. You should also define the scope of your project, including the timeline, budget, resources, and deliverables. Having a well-defined goal and scope will help you communicate your needs and expectations to potential partners, and evaluate their proposals and capabilities.

2 Research and compare potential partners

Once you have defined your goal and scope, you can start researching and comparing potential ERP implementation partners. You should look for partners that have relevant experience and expertise in your industry, and that can offer a customized solution that meets your specific needs. You should also check their references, testimonials, and reviews, and ask for case studies and demos of their previous projects. Additionally, you should compare their pricing, terms, and conditions, and ensure that they are transparent and fair.

3 Establish a strong relationship and communication

After you have selected your ERP implementation partner, you need to establish a strong relationship and communication with them. You should assign a dedicated project manager and team from both sides, and agree on the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each party. You should also set up regular meetings, updates, and feedback sessions, and use effective tools and channels to communicate and collaborate. Moreover, you should be open and honest with your partner, and address any issues or concerns as soon as they arise.

4 Involve your end-users and stakeholders

Another best practice to work with your ERP implementation partner is to involve your end-users and stakeholders throughout the project. You should identify and engage the key users and decision-makers who will use and benefit from the ERP system, and solicit their input and feedback. You should also train and educate them on how to use the ERP system, and how it will improve their work processes and performance. By involving your end-users and stakeholders, you will increase their buy-in and adoption, and ensure that the ERP system meets their needs and expectations.

5 Test and validate the ERP system

Before you go live with your ERP system, you need to test and validate it thoroughly. You should work with your ERP implementation partner to conduct various tests, such as functional, integration, performance, security, and user acceptance tests. You should also verify that the ERP system meets the agreed specifications, standards, and quality criteria. Furthermore, you should prepare a contingency plan and a backup strategy in case of any issues or errors during the launch.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?