in: Company News
Finding the best ERP software consultant for your business doesn’t have to feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Yes, there are many good software consultants available, but the right ERP software consultant will be the one who best fits your company’s needs. Here’s how to find the best one for the job.
Definition of an ERP Software Consultant
Before we get into the specifics of how to find the right ERP software consultant for your needs, it’s helpful to understand the differences between an ERP consultant and a general IT consultant. Many software vendors say they are ERP consultants, but there’s a difference.
An ERP software consultant is a professional who is hired to provide guidance on strategy, design, building and/or implementation of enterprise resource planning software. They may work with software developers or they may be developers themselves, but they focus almost solely on consulting, or offering advice. They can offer an unbiased look at your current software, provide recommendations, and match your business requirements to the appropriate ERP resources.
What to Look For in an ERP Software Consultant
Perhaps you’ve conducted an online search or called colleagues for recommendations for ERP software consultants. Once you have a list of names and contact information, how do you find the best one for your needs?
Business Expertise
First, determine in advance what specific needs you think your company has—and then be open to hearing something different from the consultant. A good software consultant is also a business expert. They may have other ideas and opinions about what you need. Bring a list of problems that need to be solved to your discussions with them and get their recommendations. There may be alternative solutions to the problem you haven’t considered.
Software Experience
It goes without saying that an ERP software consultant should have extensive industry experience, either as a developer, programmer, or expert in the specific packages they sell. You want someone who understands all the nuances of the software so they can help you understand and use it to its fullest capacity, too.
Good Communicator
The best consultants are also gifted communicators, able to help the lay person understand industry terms. If you find yourself afraid to ask the ERP consultant questions for fear of sounding stupid, they may not be the right one for you. Conversely, if you’re not afraid to call and ask them a quick question, you’ve already demonstrated a good level of comfort and open communication with them that’s vital for a successful ERP project.
Interested in Your Success
The best consultants put your company’s success first. They become so interested in your company that you may feel as if they’ve always worked with you.
Organized and Efficient
Last but not least, good ERP consultants are both organized and efficient. They need to organize project timelines and roadmaps, personnel and strategy, and they need to be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
What’s Your Impression?
Note your impression of consultants when you meet them. Check their credentials, call references, and review their project proposals carefully. Make sure both you and the team working with the ERP software consultants are enthusiastic as well as comfortable with the vendor, both strong signs that the consultant is a good fit for the project.
Mindover Software
Mindover Software is a software reseller with a broad range of accounting, ERP, finance, customer relationship management, and other software products. For more information, please contact us or call 512-990-3994.