A step by step guide to selecting the right ERP Software [INFOGRAPHIC] – Part 2

If you are reading our guide to selecting the right ERP Software, chances are your organisation is in the market for a whole of business management solution to support future growth. The good news is, we have implemented hundreds of ERP solutions over the years. Today we are bringing this knowledge to you.

In our previous post “A step by step guide to ERP software selection” we spoke about the key steps to eliminating confusion and ambiguity from the ERP Software selection process. These include;

• Defining requirements and budget
• Researching ERP options on the Web
• Choosing between On-Premise or Cloud
• Researching your industry
• Shortlisting ERP Vendors
• Contacting ERP providers
• Conducting discover meetings
• Getting budgetary estimates
• Organising ERP demo presentations

In this article, we will continue to explore the key aspects to selecting the right ERP Software, starting from the selection of a provider to project kick off.

Selecting the right ERP Software – Part 2

Phase 4: Customer Reference Verification and Technical Audits

Once you complete initial tailored software demonstrations, you must validate the real world performance of your preferred implementation partners.

• Conduct Direct Client Reference Checks: Request formal introduction to existing customers who operate similar business models. Speak directly with their finance teams to understand partner support responsiveness, deployment challenges and overall software stability.

• Execute a Technical Architecture Review: Task your internal technology managers with auditing the database structure, integration application programming interfaces and cloud hosting framework. Ensure the platform complies with local corporate data storage security regulations.

Phase 5: Commercial Negotiations and Final Scope Locking

Turning a preliminary budgetary estimate into a formal agreement protects your technology investment from future scope drift.

• Finalise the Detailed Scope of Work: Collaborate closely with the consulting team to document every operational workflow configuration requirement. Ensure all unique functional expectations are explicitly detailed within the core project documentation.

• Analyse the Five Year Total Cost of Ownership: Calculate all transparent software licensing, cloud hosting subscription rates, implementation service fees, hardware provisions and post go live helpdesk agreement costs.

• Execute Contract Sign Off: Review the implementation methodology documentation, milestone payment schedules and service level guarantees before formalising your technology partnership.

Phase 6: Project Mobilisation and Data Cleansing

The period immediately following contract execution dictates the overall momentum of your digital transformation journey.

• Establish the Internal Steering Committee: Appoint your internal project manager, functional department super users and executive sponsors to lead weekly progress reviews.

• Initiate Legacy Data Cleansing: Begin formatting, validating and archiving historical records within your legacy databases. Clean data foundations prevent costly timeline overruns during the final migration phase.

Selecting the Ideal ERP Solution

Achieving real business value through a modern system deployment relies heavily on the capabilities of your implementation team. Partnering with a proven systems integrator guarantees your software is optimised to support your long term corporate expansion goals.

The corporate technology group at Leverage Technologies supports mid market companies through structured software selection, architecture design and implementation across leading platforms. Contact our Australian advisory offices today on 1300 045 046 or email your functional requirements documentation to [email protected] to secure an experienced technology partner for your upcoming digital transformation project.