It’s safe to say that Industry 4.0 (deemed the fourth industrial revolution) has completely changed the way we work and conduct business, making it that much easier to reap the benefits of a successful ERP integration. Technology is such a crux to business now that companies are no longer debating whether to invest in an ERP; instead they’re debating what’s the best way to do so.

If you’re in that second camp, you’re already well aware that a SYSPRO ERP system is a sizable investment that demands not only capital, but time and effort as well. If you’re going to invest all that in one piece of software, you need to make sure the return on investment is worth the effort, now and in the future.

To do so, you need the right SYSPRO ERP consultant, an expert in the industry who can walk you through the entire process and into what to expect for the future. Keep these six factors top of mind while making your own critical ERP decision.

Long-term Continuity

Find an ERP consultant who has a strong track record of success. Of course, it’s reasonable to expect robust industry-proven software and great customer service. But you can also safely assume that a well-established ERP provider is here for the long haul and has a vested interest in your current and future success.

Specialist Industry Knowledge 

Every industry has its own set of challenges and every business is unique. By teaming up with a SYSPRO ERP consultant who specializes in your industry, providing an industry-specific solution (rather than a general solution) while embracing and accommodating your uniqueness, you are guaranteed to benefit from the experience and insights of a team of experts who speak your language and understand your business needs. This saves a great deal of time and effort, reduces the amount of customization, and results in a quicker, easier implementation.

Successful Implementation

This might seem like a no-brainer, but technology is only as good as its implementation. Your ERP consultant should have the knowledge and experience to adhere to project management best practices from the outset. They also need to strictly manage controls and governance activities to ensure that all objectives and expectations are met. Don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials from other customers within your industry to ensure that your potential ERP consultant delivers on its promises.

Support, Education, and Training that Continues Post-implementation

In order to maximize the benefits of your SYSPRO ERP investment, it is imperative to provide your team with adequate support and training. The typical workforce spans three generations, with varying degrees of technological comfort and rates of learning. One cannot expect true competency to be achieved through onsite training alone.

Ongoing vendor support—as well as easy-to-access online training materials and tutorials—is essential to ensuring that your users are able to learn and adopt the new system for the best chances of success.

Avoiding Application Erosion

The general belief is that software loses its value over time, and quite often it does. However, the main reason for this often has nothing to do with the application itself, but rather with underutilization from staff churn or “forgetting” what is available. Your consultant should have the capacity to provide ongoing information on what is available now or coming soon in a future release, conduct ERP audits, and offer refresher training to ensure that your SYSPRO ERP is continuously used to its full potential.

Of course, the system also needs to have the built-in agility to deal with various changes in your company and the marketplace. The only way to truly gauge the agility of an ERP system is by its own success over time, so opt for an ERP system with a strong track record, such as SYSPRO.

Embracing the Age of Digital Disruption

With Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud services, and the Internet of Things (IoT), we’re living in a digital age that demands we stay ahead of the technology curve in order to remain competitive. Ensure that your SYSPRO ERP consultant is up to the challenge, with a scalable, future-proof system that embraces new technologies and allows your business flexibility in how and where you work.

Ready to invest in a SYSPRO ERP? PositiveVision boasts more than 15 years of supporting clients in all their ERP investment and implementation needs. Choosing an ERP system can be daunting. We’re here to do the heavy lifting for you. Let’s talk about your SYSPRO ERP needs today.