8 Essential Questions When Choosing an ERP Consultant

erp consultant

Are you thinking about implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning system in your business? An ERP system can streamline your operations, improve communication and collaboration between departments, and give real-time insights into your business’s performance. But before you make the leap, it’s important to do your research and choose the right ERP consultant. By asking questions, you can better understand what an ERP system can do for your business and whether or not it is the right solution for you. Here are eight questions to ask your ERP consultant before making a final decision. 

What experience do you have with implementing ERP systems? 

 You want to ensure that your consultant has extensive experience implementing ERP systems. Ideally, they should have implemented multiple systems in businesses of different sizes across different industries. This way, you can be confident that they know what they’re doing and will be able to adapt their approach to meet the specific needs of your business. 

How many successful ERP implementations have you overseen? 

An experienced ERP implementation consultant is an expert at dealing with problems during the implementation process and offers guidance throughout all stages where business decisions need to be made.  

It’s important for the ERP consultant to have an understanding and experience of different solutions in various business sizes and industries. 

What’s your project management style? 

ERP implementations can be complex and time-consuming, so working with an ERP consultant with a project management style you’re comfortable with is important. Some ERP consultants prefer a more hands-on approach, while others prefer a more laid-back approach and let the client take the lead. There is no right or wrong answer here; it depends on what you’re looking for and what will work better for your business. 

What’s included in your price? 

Make sure you understand exactly what’s included in your consultant’s price before signing on the dotted line. For example, some ERP consultants charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee for the entire project. The price should also include expenses incurred during the implementation process, such as travel expenses and software licenses. 

Am I able to cancel at any time? 

It’s important to clearly understand your rights as a client before signing an agreement with a consultant. Find out if there are any cancellation fees or penalties, so you know what to expect if you need to end the relationship early. 

Will I own the final product? 

Depending on how much control you want over the final product, this may or may not be an important question for you. For example, if you wish to have sole ownership of the product so that you can make changes as needed without going through the consultant, then make sure that this is stipulated in the agreement. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck with a product that doesn’t meet your needs down the road because you can’t make changes yourself. 

Do I need to sign a non-disclosure agreement? 

If confidentiality is important to you, ensure that your consultant is willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This will ensure that any information shared between you and the consultant remains confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the project team without your permission. 

What sets you apart from other ERP consultants? 

It’s interesting to see how a consultant would answer this question. The answer gives the client insight into who this ERP consultant really is, both professionally and personally. It will allow them to share their skills and knowledge in ERP consulting, but also demonstrate why they are a better choice over competitors.  

Conclusion 

Implementing an ERP system can be a big undertaking for any business, but it can also be incredibly rewarding if done correctly. ERP consultants can help you with various tasks, from selecting the right software to implementing it. 

By asking these questions of potential ERP consultants, you can increase your chances of success and ensure that you find a partner who is truly invested in helping your business reach its full potential. 

Reach out today and set up a consultation with one of our ERP specialists 

Calsoft Systems is a leading ERP provider in California and have experience in various industries. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner and have extensive knowledge of Microsoft ERP software.  

Each project is different, but our goal is always the same: to help our clients increase efficiency and improve their bottom line. 

More To Read: 

Tips For A Successful ERP Implementation 

3 Examples of Different Industries Using ERP 

The hidden costs of NOT implementing ERP: Why you can’t afford to wait to implement ERP 

3 Factors that will Impact Your ERP selection 

Dynamics 365 Benefits: 5 Advantages of Having ERP from Microsoft