It Starts with the Right Advice: Your Cloud Problem

There are several things that the cloud can do for businesses. But too frequently, businesses buy into the hype instead of the real benefit. Sadly, this results in bad results, broken links, and different data.

We go on to say that solutions need to be based on business priorities, and as there is no "silver bullet" for deploying ERP, you need to select one that can handle your mix of priorities, internal capabilities, and resources.

What You Need: Evaluation and Business Analysis

You and your team will spend a lot of time at the beginning of the ERP selection process talking about the problems your employees want to solve and how a change will influence your business.

In our post about the problems with pushing too hard for the cloud, we talked about how important it is to know how each option would influence your workers.

"A lot of firms are ready to go all in on the cloud. It might be yours. But you can also be one of those people who has to do some work before you're really ready for the new operating environment. Before you ride in, it's a good idea to get a feel for the area."

Are your team ready to move? Do you know how to connect third-party or custom apps that may not be made to work together?

The Partner's Job: Help You Figure Out How a Solution Will Work for Your Business

To get over the problem, you need to know exactly what the pros and cons of each choice are. Both choices can help businesses make money, but if they don't get the correct counsel, they could end up with a solution that doesn't work.

A real business partner has dealt with businesses like yours and knows how to help them deliver either. The company you work with will know whether something is likely to work and will often back out if they don't think they can deliver.

They will also be able to help you comprehend how it works, talk about your business risk tolerances, pricing preferences, and usage expectations.

Making Plans for Customization and Setup

You have started watching the demos, talking about how things will change, and getting ready to move as you narrow down your list of vendors and partners. This is when improvements that were only ideas become actual line items on a quote.

An Honest and Accurate Demo and Price

Getting close to your potential vendor and partner is a big step. Keep in mind that this is a solution that your organization will use for the next ten years, so it needs to be able to grow and evolve with it.

This starts with the demonstration process. This not only helps you learn how the software works, but it also helps you judge the presenter's character. Before the full demonstrations, you'll want to send a list of the items you want to see in a presentation so you can see how a solution will work in real life.

What the Partner Does: Show You What You Need to See

Each demonstrator has their own style and order in which they present, so you may expect to see fresh and distinct topics at each session. That being said, you are in charge of this.

Don't be impressed by features and services that your business doesn't need and that you won't have time to use. Don't let the speaker get off track and start talking badly about a competitor. Presenters are there to talk about their own product, not someone else's.

A corporation that values partnerships will show you what you need to see and do it honestly. Will they talk about things you might wish to think about in the future? Most likely.

The company will give you an honest quote from here. When it comes to ERP decisions, you have to weigh price, value, and risk. A partner's quote will give you options for each of these things.

Delivering the Solution: Getting You from Selection to Success

Once you get to the implementation stage, everything is worked out. If you've been focusing on building partnerships instead of making sales pitches, the process won't be hard on your staff.

Your partner will work with your team at this point to make sure the solution is put into action on schedule and within budget. A full, honest, and well-thought-out plan and timeline are the first steps to a successful project.

A well-organized and managed implementation team, with enough money and time, strong support from senior management, and a clear purpose and direction, should be able to succeed.

What the Partner Does: Answer, Lead, and Train

When you hire a third-party company to help you set up an ERP system, they will work with you to make sure it meets your needs. You should expect to be held accountable, get answers, and get guidance.

Your partner will need to provide clean databases and well-designed infrastructure, whether you are going all-in on the cloud or using a hybrid solution.

The Right Partner: Kissinger Associates

No matter where you are in your journey, the right partner should be there for you. At Kissinger Associates, we’ve spent decades delivering solutions for growing and midmarket businesses. Whether you’re looking for an all-in journey to the cloud with Acumatica or looking to take a hybrid approach with Sage 100 we have the knowledge and expertise to help you connect your business and empower your people. Please contact us for any assistance!

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