When it becomes time to consider new enterprise software, don’t forget the impact of choosing the right consultant to be a part of your ERP selection. Your ERP consultant is an important part of the success of your decision.

Hiring an ERP system consultant is a lot like hiring an employee. It takes time and energy to talk to different enterprise resource planning vendors and resellers, and more time to read and reflect on their proposals.

Like hiring an employee, it’s important to take your time and consider many aspects of the reseller or vendor’s business model, personality, attitude and more. After all, you’re entrusting an important part of your business to them. Make sure it’s a great fit.

Experience Counts in ERP Selection

When you’re hiring for a critical position within your company, experience is probably one of the first things you look at on an applicant’s resume. If they’re fresh out of college, they may be great for an entry-level position, but you probably won’t put them immediately into a leadership position.

The same goes for your software vendor. As you consider the many software resellers and vendors in the market, review their credentials carefully. Look for experience within your industry and with companies similar to your own. It’s even better if they have experience solving problems very similar to the ones you need to solve with your new enterprise resource planning software.

The Vendor’s Approach to Problems: Long or Short Term Solutions

Perhaps the most important aspect of vendor selection, and one which many companies fail to consider, is whether a vendor takes a long or short-term approach to problem-solving.

A long-term approach means that the vendor wants to immerse themselves in your business model; they want to understand it fully. The vendor is investing time now with the desire for a long-term relationship. The vendor isn’t just concerned with short-term problem solving, important though that might be to your company. Instead, the vendor has their eye on the big picture.

Every business is unique. Your company is no exception. You face challenges, marketplace threats, and opportunities for growth, expansion and profits. A good software vendor takes the long-term approach to understand all of these factors. They go beyond asking “What do you do?” and instead ask “Where do you want to go?”

Shared Values

Another factor in a good vendor-client relationship that’s rarely talked about is shared values. When you work with a company who shares your core values, they tend to “get” who you are and what you’d like to accomplish. More importantly, they understand and respect how you want to accomplish your goals. This makes it easier for them to understand issues and problems and to come up with solutions that support your stated values.

People and Personality

The hiring process for full-time employees always includes both telephone interviews and, for the final candidates, in-person interviews. Companies want to meet potential employees to make sure that they fit in with the team. It’s attitude, personality and people who count the most in any organization, and to make sure that candidates will work out as full time employees, they assess each of these factors.

The same holds true for your ERP software vendor. Who will you work with on the project? Who will conduct the training and who will be your daily point of contact? Make sure that you like and respect that person. You’ll be working together closely, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them.

The Bottom Line: Choose the Right Partner for Your ERP Selection

Your software consultant is a partner to your business. With the right partner by your side, your ERP selection and implementation will run smoothly. A good vendor is a joy to work with, someone who stands by your side and helps you find the right solutions for your business.

Contact Us for ERP Selection and Implementation

If you are looking for the right vendor for your ERP selection, contact PositiveVision.  We would love the opportunity to show you why we can be a great fit for your company.