• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ultra Consultants

OUR INDEPENDENT ERP CONSULTANTS DELIVER 100% CLIENT SATISFACTION

  • Services
    • Back
      • Business Process Improvement
        • Business Process Reengineering
        • Business Process Analysis
        • Business Process Documentation
        • Business Process Mapping
        • Business Process Review
      • Enterprise Software Selection
        • ERP Selection
        • ERP RFP (Request for Proposal)
        • ERP RFP Preparation
        • ERP Readiness Assessment
        • ERP Selection Criteria
        • ERP Requirements Definition
      • Enterprise Software Implementation
        • ERP Implementation Plan Creation
        • ERP Data Conversion
        • ERP Reports
        • ERP Implementation
      • Industry Compliance Services
      • Business Process Transformation
      • Organizational Change Management
      • Enterprise Project Management
      • Get your roadmap for business process improvement
  • Industries & Clients
    • Back
      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Automotive
      • Chemical
      • Consumer Goods
      • Distribution
      • Electronic & Equipment
      • Food & Beverage
      • Industrial Equipment
      • Medical Devices & Products
      • Metal Fabrication
      • Pharmaceutical
      • Plastics
      • Read about driving ROI in your ERP project
  • Software & Vendors
    • Back
      • ERP
        • Discrete Manufacturing ERP Software
        • Process Manufacturing ERP Software
        • Distribution ERP Software
      • ERP Software for Sales and Marketing
        • CRM Software
        • Marketing Automation Software
        • eCommerce Solutions
      • Supply Chain Management Software
        • Demand Management Software
        • Transportation Management Software
        • Advanced Planning & DRP Software
        • Finite Scheduling Software
      • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
      • Warehouse Management Software
      • Manufacturing Execution System Software Vendors
      • Field Service Management Software Vendors
      • Learn about software selection decision drivers
  • Education
    • Back
      • Resources
        • Events & Webinars
        • White Papers
        • ERP Case Studies
      • Media
        • On-Demand Webinars
        • ERP Podcast
        • ERP Videos
      • Take Your Free ERP Health Check
  • Company
    • Back
      • About Ultra
        • Our Team
        • History
        • Awards
        • Careers
        • Independent ERP Consultants
      • News
        • ERP Media Coverage
        • Press Releases
        • ERP Newsletter
      • Read about choosing an independent consultant.
  • ERP Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Back
Home / ERP Blog 03.13.17 / Technology Evaluation / 5 Tips For Picking the Right ERP Selection Consultant
03.13.17

5 Tips For Picking the Right ERP Selection Consultant

Business Handshake Sealing The DealThere are few manufacturing IT projects more daunting, resource-intensive and complex then selecting a new ERP system.

Given that choosing and implementing a new ERP system is one of the biggest decisions a mid-market manufacturing company will ever make, taking the time to evaluate an ERP selection consultant is an equally critical task.

After all, it makes business sense to shorten the selection process, improve your chances of finding a system that will be a good match for your company, and instill confidence to achieve a faster ROI.  Your ERP selection consultant should save you time and money, and get your project off to a great start.

It is in this spirit that we offer you five tried and true tips for picking the right ERP selection consultant:

Tip 1: Assess your internal resources. 

Typically, a mid-sized manufacturing organization’s  IT department has limited experience managing selection and implementation projects. Realize that the average selection project will take up most of their time for a lengthy period, and demand sophisticated project management skills.  Does anyone within the organization offer extensive knowledge and understanding of the ERP vendor community? It’s important that the ERP project team has knowledge of multiple vendors,  their products and also their sales and support organizations. How about contract negotiations? Is there anyone within the organization that has experience in this area?

Tip 2: Make sure the ERP selection consultant truly knows you and your manufacturing operation.

Focus on finding a resource with decades of experience in ERP and business best practices for your industry, your size of business and your type of manufacturing processes. Ask to speak with similar organizations that have engaged with the ERP selection consultant for an independent reference. Be sure they tell you what results they were able to achieve from the ERP implementation. Ask if the ERP selection consultant understands issues specific to your industry, including any compliance considerations, quality mandates, customer requirements and other considerations. They must be able to easily handle unique requirements specific to your organization.

Tip 3:  Confirm that the ERP consultant knows what’s possible with today’s modern ERP systems.

You’re on the look out for in-depth ERP Insight that’s “vendor neutral” for your best outcome. Modern ERP systems offer sophisticated configuration tools, robust reporting and business intelligence, workflow engines and other advanced features – some targeted to specific industries.  Confirm that these capabilities are fully understood,  so you will obtain system knowledge and ERP system education, work smarter, and streamline the ERP selection process. Reference calls or on site visits with current or recent customers will give you a clear picture of the value the consultant can provide.

Tip 4: Verity that the ERP selection consultant puts the focus on business performance improvement.

Look for an ERP selection consultant that makes it their business to drive results for your organization. The consultant should see an ERP project as a platform for continuous improvement, helping you achieve key business outcomes such as improved customer service, reduced lead time, improved quality, reduced asset turns, higher productivity and improved, more timely decision making.

Tip 5:  Consider the ERP consultant’s fit with your company.

This final tip focuses on the “art” verses the “science” of choosing an ERP selection consultant.  Do you and other memebers of your organization have a good connection with the selection consulting team?  What does your gut tell you? Does the ERP selection consultant  see an ERP project as an opportunity to implement business process improvements over just an exercise in technology implementation? To answer these important questions, spend as much time as you can with the potential ERP selection consultant, have them interact with your team and leadership.

Final Thoughts about Choosing ERP Selection Consultants

Your organization wants to reduce the effort, resources and cost of ERP selection.

An ERP selection consultant, when chosen carefully, can help drive savings and guide you to a faster ROI.

Contact our experience ERP selection consultants and we’ll offer a proven ERP selection methodology tailored to your industry. 

Tweet
Share
Share

Categories: Technology Evaluation Tags: ERP Software Selection

Related Articles

  • 12.08.15

    Evaluating ERP Vendors

    Posted in: Technology Evaluation
  • 02.02.16Shopping for ERP? Look for Experts in Your Vertical Industry

    Shopping for ERP? Look for Experts in Your Vertical Industry

    Posted in: Technology Evaluation
  • 09.07.17best of breed vs. best in class ERP

    Best of Breed vs. Best in Class ERP: What are the Pros and Cons?

    Posted in: Technology Evaluation

About Jeff Carr

Jeff Carr

Jeff Carr is Founder and CEO of Ultra Consultants, independent advisors, researchers and consultants serving the manufacturing and distribution industries with enterprise technology expertise. Jeff is a leading independent voice in enterprise technology, ERP selection, evaluation, implementation and business process improvement. Jeff’s organizations have helped 1,200 manufacturing companies transform business operations. Jeff’s results-focused career spans four decades serving manufacturers. He leads Ultra’s high-impact process improvement programs that leverage today’s technology. Jeff is a graduate of University of Illinois.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel

sidebar

Blog Sidebar

Let's talk about
improving your
processes >>

Read an ERP success story >>

View white
paper library >>

Subscribe to the Ultra ERP Blog

Insight right into your in-box! Enter your email address for email notifications of new posts and be "in the know."

By filling out this form, I acknowledge that I have read, consent to, and agree to be bound by, the terms of Ultra's Privacy Policy, and that I am subscribing to Ultra's ERP Newsletter.

As an independent consultancy, Ultra does not endorse vendors participating in educational content.

Categories

  • Careers
  • Continuous Improvement
  • ERP Best Practices
  • ERP Software Vendors
  • ERP Success Stories
  • News and Events
  • Project Management
  • Stories from the Field
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Technology Evaluation
  • The ERP Industry
  • Uncategorized

Stay Connected

Stay informed about ERP evaluation, selection and
implementation. Subscribe to Ultra's eNewsletter.

Social Media

FacebookTwitterYoutubeLinkedin

312-319-1411 | Copyright © 2020 Ultra Corporation | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap |

Website by Web Savvy Marketing