An Expert Selects the Best ERP Solution for Their Business

Finding the Right ERP Solution Can Be Daunting

Few things impact a company’s ability to meet customer needs, compete efficiently, and maintain a steady growth like an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solution. But how do you select the best ERP Solution for your business? 

We put the question to Murray Quibell who, as a Chartered Accountant with a specialization in IT, brings a unique perspective to selecting an ERP.

“Your ERP system is one place where you cannot afford to cut corners. It’s been said that replacing an ERP system is like performing open heart surgery on a patient while the patient is not only awake, but on the job.

We’re here to tell you that it’s not quite that dramatic. A successful ERP implementation is not only feasible, but actually quite common.”

“It’s been said that replacing an ERP system is like performing open heart surgery on a patient while the patient is not only awake, but on the job.

We’re here to tell you that it’s not quite that dramatic. A successful ERP implementation is not only feasible, but actually quite common.”

Murray Quibell, CA-IT

Founder and President

Aqurus Solutions

Whether you’re a small shop, or a multinational corporation, any company implementing a new ERP system is faced with similar challenges and opportunities. 

Step 1: Preliminaries – What is the Best ERP Solution?

Before you can select the best ERP Solution for your business, there are a few things you need to address that will set you up for success once you move into the implementation phase of your ERP project:

• Ask the Question: What would be the best ERP system for our business? Maybe your current system is not supporting your business’ needs, or won’t in the future as you grow and expand. Or, maybe your system costs too much to maintain, is unreliable or is not secure. There may be specific features or functionality that would make a particular ERP the Best ERP Solution for you.
• Secure your team: Your main users need to be involved right from the start, and should lead the effort in selecting the system and planning/carrying out the implementation. By involving all key stakeholders from the very beginning, you take any surprises out of the end result.
• Outline the project strategy: In this step, you will only need to outline the general shape and scope of your ERP. This is also a good time to take a look at your current systems and data.
• Take a good look at the current state of business: One thing that is often neglected is baseline measurements like inventory levels by type, production lead time, and inventory accuracy, to name a few.

Step 2: Get Everyone On The Same Page

You can’t expect to accomplish any kind of successful ERP implementation without having your whole team on board. 

Make sure to schedule some ERP training very early on in the project, not specific to any particular software, but focused on general principles as they relate to ERP. Principles such as:

• De-siloization of data and what it means to work in an integrated environment with a team.
• Having a shared database across the entire company and the necessity of entering all transaction data as soon as possible.
• Instant and universal data accessibility from anywhere and how this can be an advantage.
• Data consistency.
• Data security.
• Process documentation and automation.

Step 3: Choose a Solution Provider and Implementation Partner

ERP has been around for decades and there are a wide range of systems you can choose from. Make sure to keep these three things in mind as you go through your selection process:

• Functionality: Match the specific functionality that you need today (per your requirements definition) with the ability to adapt the system to change when your needs change.
• Ease of use: Evaluate the design of the user interface to see how familiar and intuitive it is – it must be simple to learn and easy to use.
• Support: Finally, the system developer and/or implementation partner must be reliable, trustworthy, and compatible with your needs and company culture.

Download our free ERP Functionality Evaluation Checklist

Step 4: Implement Your “Best ERP Solution”

Your ERP implementation doesn’t have to be traumatic or overwhelming, but it will take some work. Here are some of the most basic things that successful implementations have in common: 

• Use standard tracking tools like MS Project to manage the effort.
• Keep the project and its progress highly visible to the entire group of stakeholders throughout the whole process.
• Don’t skimp on training.

Step 5: We Went “Live”… Now What?

Implementation doesn’t end once you go live. It’s important to stay up to date on new features, releases, and trainings. 

Consider advanced functionality, and keep your employees educated. Your people will change, your applications will change, and you want to make sure that you’re staying up to speed with all that is happening in the world of ERP.

Implementing a new ERP doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience. 

With the right support, and the right partnerships, you can take an ERP implementation from a nightmare to a seamless experience.

Want to know more? Acumatica offers some terrific resources on selecting the Best ERP Solution for your business.