Is it Time to Get Third-Party ERP Help?
The ERP implementation process is complex and consists of multiple steps and considerations–data conversion, business process modeling, vendor selection, testing, and more–and to fully maximize your implementation, you must flawlessly undergo each of these steps to meet your deadlines and maximize your ROI.
If your team cuts corners or rushes tasks, you could delay your go-live date, overrun your budget, experience bottlenecks, or even fail the implementation completely. Unfortunately, some businesses don’t realize the necessary commitments that are required for a successful project until it’s too late.
Major software projects, like an ERP implementation, are disruptive and complex, and like any organizational change or investment, the ERP implementation requires attention and knowledge. In this way, your business might benefit from soliciting help from a third-party consultant from the beginning of your project.
These ERP experts can take the stress out of your software implementation by leading you through every stage and delivering an all-encompassing solution that meets your specific requirements. If you’re considering whether a consultant is right for your business, we put together this short outline of signs that your business needs a consultant!
Shortage of Expertise
You likely have a talented IT team, but a consulting firm can still help! Your IT department takes on an astonishing amount of responsibilities and adding a major software project to their full plate might spread them too thin.
Moreover, as talented as your IT personnel are, they likely haven’t taken the lead on many ERP implementations. Experienced consultants, like those at Datix, are certified ERP experts who have worked for decades to provide software solutions and services. It’s not unlikely that challenges and roadblocks will occur during your project, and due to the high number of successful implementations they’ve performed, our consultants will know how to appropriately handle harmful situations and mitigate future risks. Thus, keeping your project on-track and on-budget.
Project Complexity
Most ERP implementations won’t succeed with simple, out-of-the-box software–the majority of projects require configurations, customizations, integrations with other systems, etc. Because no business is the same, you will want to align your software to your unique business processes and requirements. That being said, modifications create project complexity.
Businesses that tackle complex customizations on their own risk coming across obstacles that overstretch the budget and timeline. Consultants, though, know how to manage a wide range of project challenges. They can help you determine which modifications need immediate attention, which can wait until post go-live, and which are unnecessary, helping you achieve enterprise success.
Lack of Internal Resources
If you’re an SMB, you likely have the number of employees you need to efficiently run everyday tasks for your business; however, that doesn’t leave them with time to also implement an ERP system. Taking your team off their important assignments or overstretching your IT department could put your company at risk of falling behind on necessary operations. In this way, a consulting company empowers businesses of any size to gain a fully functioning ERP without sacrificing other important work operations.
Inexperience with Vendors
Oftentimes, businesses think their software vendor will assist them throughout the operational lifecycle of their ERP implementation. Sure, ERP vendors are likely to have service lines and documentation to assist you throughout the process; however, you won’t find the comprehensive one-on-one support that you would otherwise receive with a consultant. Rather than help you customize the software to fit your business, the vendors will likely prioritize the software platform.
On the other hand, consultants have experience communicating with vendors. For example, Datix consultants will take a business-first approach to your software and interact with providers to ensure you gain the best system for your requirements.
Wrap Up
An ERP solution delivers robust modules and tools that empower users to expand their enterprise—or at least, that’s what it’s supposed to do. When a project goes off the rails, you’re looking at a wasted investment and a lost opportunity for major business improvements. A consultant will keep your project on track, executing an on-time, on-budget solution that boosts your productivity and profit margins.
For over 20 years, Datix has worked with manufacturers and distributors at every stage of their software journey to optimize their solutions and processes. We follow best practices and work closely with our clients to complete ERP, CRM, eCommerce and integration projects from start to finish. Our consultants bring a high level of technical skill and industry experience to every project, doing whatever it takes to reach software goals.
Make sure you’re getting the most from your software. Contact Datix today!
