6 Steps To Success - ERP Selection Process for Small to Midsized Enterprises (SMEs)

Have you already decided that 2011 will be your year to make your move from your current accounting package to an integrated ERP system?

The next step is to find the best solution for your pain points - whether that be cash flow, customer service, inventory management, integrated CRM or a host of other issues faced by growing businesses like yours. To help you make your next move forward, Vision33 has put together a quick list of steps to follow in your ERP Selection Process.

1. Select a cross-functional evaluation team considered to be 'Subject Matter Experts' in their departments and empower them to make decisions for the organization.

2. Task the team with analyzing a detailed requirements document that defines what a new ERP solution must be able to do. A minimum requirements list should be created of what is most necessary to meet the company's overall goals and objectives. This should be a short list of no more than twenty 'must haves' to distribute or discuss with an ERP vendor.

3. A knowledgeable and credible ERP Partner should be able to easily communicate to you if the solution is able to fully meet these requirements or if any customizations or limitations exist. From there, you can eliminate a solution that does not meet minimum requirements.

4. If the ERP solution meets your minimum requirements list, you can then engage the Vendor with a more detailed requirements list and have the Vendor perform a self-assessment based on these requirements.

5. Have your evaluation team cultivate a list of requirements for a product demo to see from the Vendor how the solution will meet your needs.

6. In making your final solution decision, the evaluation team should take the following criteria into consideration based on what's most important to the organization:

• Cost of the solution (Including licensing, maintenance, and professional services)

• Schedule

• Fulfillment of Requirements

• Technology

• Training

• Implementation Partner Experience and Support

If you need help in your Selection Process or are ready to take the next step to success, contact ustoday.