An ERP system can make you more productive by improving your daily operation. It also makes a business more competitive in its industry. Since it operates all your core processes under one solution, it simplifies things for entrepreneurs.
As this is a crucial software tool, you must buy it from a reputable and reliable vendor. Most vendors nowadays offer almost identical solutions. Therefore, choosing one from the many available ones can be quite tricky.
If you’ve decided to adopt ERP software or you want to change your current ERP system, here are tips to help you choose the right vendor.
1. Know What You Need from a Vendor
Choosing the right vendor starts by knowing your requirements. This will help you determine how the ERP will fit into your business and what features are essential to you.
Most ERPs have the following functionalities;
- Human resource
- Supply chain
- Finance
- Customer relationship management
- Inventory management
- Purchasing
You don’t need all these functionalities. But make sure you identify which ones are essential to you. Think about your business type when doing so. Also, because various departments will use this system, make sure you get their views on the current process and the issues they are facing.
2. Decide on How You’ll Choose a Vendor
Once you have identified what you need from an ERP system, you can develop a criterion for selecting a vendor. Since you know what features you’d like your ERP solution to have, the next step is to determine how the software will be deployed, accessed, and how it can grow when your business expands.
Some of the questions to ask yourself include;
- Will your employees need training with the new software?
- Will you need support from the vendor, and how would you like to contact them?
- Do you want your new ERP to have mobile accessibility?
- Will you need to add some customization?
- Are there any tools you want to integrate with your new solution?
- Do you want a cloud-based or in-house solution?
3. Think about the Cost
Often the ERP cost is an overlooked factor. However, it needs to be within your budget. Otherwise, it will strain your business’s finances. Top providers like NaviWorld, this site https://naviworld.com.sg/ have years of experience providing ERP services.
However, ensure that a provider’s offering meets your specific requirements so that you don’t waste your money.
But don’t choose a vendor based on low price alone. Bear in mind that cheap ERP systems often have poor functionalities. So the best thing for you is to get quotes from different vendors and choose the one who offers what you want at the price you can afford.
4. Find Out the Value a Vendor Offers
If you can’t compare different vendors, finding out the value they offer can help you decide the right one for you.
Determine what makes a vendor unique. Is it that they offer features that other ERP providers don’t? Or is it that their services are exemplary? Make sure that you get value for what you are paying for.
Other things to consider include;
- Their customer review /ratings
- The material a vendor provides to their customers to educate themselves
- How is the vendor’s customer support?
- Their experience and previous implementation
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right ERP vendor can seem intimidating at first. However, with some guidance, you can get the right person for this job. Make sure you ask questions since purchasing an ERP system is not that cheap. Also, take your time to evaluate and compare different vendors.