How to Determine if an ERP Software Solution Will Meet Your Needs

It’s unlikely that a standard ERP software package will meet all of your needs (and still be affordable). However, when selecting an ERP solution, you should expect that your primary needs will be addressed. Often an ERP solution can be tweaked to meet your minor requirements, but the level of customization needed will differ for each software package you consider. Another thing to take into account is the extent to which the software can upload your historical data. For some software packages, it may not be as easy to transfer data from one system to another.

We know that one of the significant deciding factors when it comes to selecting an ERP software solution is pricing. Check out Your Guide to Evaluating ERP Pricing to help you evaluate ERP software pricing and see how Acumatica stacks up against other vendors!

What do your employees (the users of the software) think? 

People that need to use this software on a day-to-day basis must feel that their input is valued. It’s a good idea to circulate a request among the involved employees for their ideas of what they think should be included in your new ERP software solution. In the end, this will encourage everyone to buy-in and support your decision, even if not all of their identified needs are met.

If you’re wondering how Acumatica cloud ERP ranks against other vendors, check out G2 Crowd’s March 2019 User Satisfaction Ratings report. G2 Crowd compares Acumatica to Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, Intacct and Netsuite. 

How do the features of the ERP software relate to your business? 

Don’t be afraid to ask, “What does that mean for me?” when a vendor presents the ERP software or shows you a demo. Make sure it’s clear how the product’s features will work with your specific company’s situation. You should fully understand how the software will solve your frustrations with your current accounting system, and what benefits your business will gain in the long-run.

Not sure what to look for in an ERP system for your business? Head to our Comprehensive ERP Evaluation Checklist, to help you decide what features are most important to you and if Acumatica is the best solution for your needs!

You also shouldn’t be afraid to ask your vendor or implementation partner further questions about the ERP software. It’s crucial that you fully understand what it will take to get the software up-and-running in your office. Sometimes additional hardware, customization, or services are needed. The more information you have up-front, the more comfortable you’ll be with your purchase.

• What level of customization does the system need to accommodate my industry-specific needs?
  No standardized package will meet all of your ERP software needs, so some customization will likely be needed. The extent of which is up to the functionality of the product. Your vendor or partner should present your customization costs upfront, so you don’t encounter any surprises down the road.
• Can I have remote access to the software system?
  If you work away from the office and you need to retrieve your customer information instantly, remote access may be something you can’t live without. Not all ERP software packages offer mobile functionality. So, it’s essential to find out whether or not it is an available function of the system before you make your purchase.

  Data sharing and mobility are undoubtedly the two major driving forces currently ruling the software space. SMBs that don’t incorporate them into their operations will continue to lose time needlessly due to inefficient communication and data access. If you want to learn more about mobile ERP and the mobile Acumatica app, check out Reach New Heights with Acumatica Cloud-Based Mobile ERP App.

• Is there a limit to the total number of vendors, customers, and transactions I can track?
  Some ERP software solutions hit maximum capacity of information at a much lower quantity than others, which can make the system run slowly or not at all. You should be sure that the system you buy can handle your volumes and expected growth.

  Acumatica is different than other software providers because they charge based on the resources you use, not the number of users. The resource tier you pay for is sized to support the volume of key transactions for your business. So, you can start on one tier and expand or shrink as needed.

• Can user access be limited to certain parts of the software?
  When you have multiple users of a system, the need to limit the access of your users to certain parts of the program increases, you don’t want everyone to have the ability to make changes to your accounts, payroll, etc.
• Will the program run on my current operating system, or will it require an upgrade?
  This can be one of those hidden costs that add to the total price tag. Many times new, updated versions of the software will run primarily on the latest platform. If your operating system is outdated, you can pretty much plan on upgrading.

In an ideal world, you’d be able to find an ERP software solution that meets all your business needs while fitting perfectly into your budget. In the real world, you’ll need to make some decisions about what’s most important to your company. But finding a vendor that offers a flexible and fair pricing structure will help you get the most functionality and greatest usability for your dollar. 

At Aqurus, we believe only one vendor gives you all the benefits of cloud ERP while also charging you based on resources used, not users — Acumatica. 

Looking for an ERP software solution in Calgary or Vancouver? Get in touch with the Aqurus team to talk more about Acumatica, our gold-certified implementation process and growth-friendly licensing model!