Why Your Business Needs A Relationship With An ERP Implementation Partner

CHAPTER 5

Got An ERP Implementer Already? Find Out If It’s Partner-material

This change is worth it if your current cloud-based ERP implementation vendor fails to be a partner. This means it is not complying with your expectations or costing profits due to an inability to streamline business processes.

However, it is a tough choice. Financial constraints could make your company’s decision-makers highly resistant to giving the green light. Other obstacles include the time needed to implement the new solution and train users, along with its short-term effect on your business operations.

But every minute you spend with a provider that isn’t suited for your business is a minute that you’re losing productivity.

5 Signs That It’s Time To Let Go

1. Your Users Are Working Around The ERP

It means your user experience is declining. For example, do your employees regularly perform manual processes such as working on spreadsheets outside the system?

Once the initial deployment phase is over (and rejection to change has been managed), if the ERP causes user experience to decline steadily, it could be time for a change. It is most likely if your current vendor has no solutions for your problems.

2. Your ERP Implementer Is Not That Into You Anymore

Perhaps its prices and services aligned well with your business model when you first signed up. Your account could have been a high priority at first, mostly if it was a small business. However, these benefits often disappear as ERP implementation consultants overgrow.

The result of this trend can be an ERP platform and service that can no longer optimize resources or provides the necessary automation based on your business model or budget. 

3. Client Support Falls Short

A prompt response to a critical service outage should be standard practice for ERP implementers. When someone needs support from an ERP provider, like our partners Oracle Netsuite, chances are they need it right away. This capability requires dedicated support, including the option of communicating with an expert after business hours via phone, chat, or email. Many providers promise this level of support, but not all of them deliver it.

4. It’s Not Your Vendor, It’s You

Another common reason for switching ERP providers is when your own business expands, whether into new markets, adding new products, or increasing its workforce. In all of these cases, a small vendor may be unable to keep up with your growing needs, such as searching for disperse data and maintaining inventory levels from many locations. ERP implementation facilitators routinely claim they can handle businesses of any size, but most of these solutions target small and medium-sized enterprises.

5. Communication is broken

ERP solution vendors should do more than just set up your system and keep it running smoothly. They also must act as a consultant by ensuring you receive the modules and upgrades appropriate for your industry. You may want to switch ERP solutions if your current one lacks direct knowledge of your industry, primarily when it affects your service quality.