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Selecting the Right ERP Implementation Partner
Selecting the right ERP Implementation partner is just as important as selecting the right ERP application. The following are some examples of the tips and questions that you and your organization should consider using when you assess the qualifications and abilities of your future solution implementation partner.
Tip #1 – Evaluate the Experience of the company
Does the implementation partner have significant experience with the software that you are considering? What other software products does the partner sell? How many installations does the company have in similar organizations?
Tip #2 – Evaluate the Project Team
The specific project team members are the most critical aspect of your evaluation.
Who would actually lead the project and what is the experience of the project team members? Make sure you meet the team before you sign the contract and that you have the ability to lock in certain team members or kick them off the team if they do not work out.
Tip #3 – Compare the Hourly Rates
Compare the hourly rates that are offered in order to make sure they are competitive. Hourly rates do not directly correlate to the quality of the project team. In other words, there may be some very well qualified people at lower hourly rates.
Tip #4 – Organizational Compatibility
Evaluate the culture fit for the implementation partner. Can you work with this team? Do you feel they are a good fit for the culture at your company? Remember, you will be working closely with these people for many months. Make sure that you feel comfortable working with them.
Tip #5 – Review the Implementation Plan
Make sure to review the implementation plan and that you feel comfortable with their approach and the plan fits your vision of the project and the capabilities of your internal personnel assigned to the project.
Tip #6 – Consider the Implementation Partner’s Resources
Make sure they have the resources to support your implementation. If you have an international implementation, you want to make sure that they have the ability to handle a multinational environment.
On the other hand, if you just have a local implementation, you may not need to pay the higher costs associated with a larger organization.
Questions for ERP Solution Implementation Partner - Assessment Session
Describe your partnering / standard integration relationships with various payroll and benefit providers?
What service awards or certifications that your company has earned?
What is your lead time for resource additions or changes during the project? Differentiate between on-site and off-site / off-shore.
Describe your attrition management approach to minimize risk and cost to our company?
Describe/provide examples of all implementation tools and accelerators that will be utilized during all phases of your implementation?
Describe your approach to gathering and validating business requirements?
Describe and provide examples of your Quality Testing tools and methodologies?
Describe your approach to Super User and End-User Training during your standard implementation process?
Describe your approach to Organization Change Management during your standard implementation process?
Describe your contingency plans in the event of unexpected staff absences or turnover, etc.
What security measures do you offer to our company to make sure that any information you receive from our company is treated confidentially?
Please indicate what other value-added services you can offer that may be beneficial to our company outside of your implementation services?
If you or your team feel overwhelmed with this or any other aspect of the ERP Selection, Implementation or Post Go-Live Support aspects of your ERP project feel free to contact John Talio Consulting - we’re here to help. Please subscribe to get more tips regarding ERP Implementation.
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