When our mid- to large-size clients ask us to help them choose an ERP vendor, they often also ask us to help them find the best system integrator or partner to help with their ERP implementation. In some cases, our clients will choose their ERP software at least partially based on the competencies of the implementation partner that they are considering. For example, if we assume that functional fit are roughly equivalent, choosing SAP All-in-One or ECC 6.0 with a great implementation partner can be the deciding factor when compared against a mediocre Oracle E-Business Suite consulting firm, or vice versa. The same can be said when considering Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, Infor or any other ERP system for that matter.

The bigger question is: what exactly constitutes a “good” system integrator or implementation partner? For some of our clients, it equates to local presence. To others, it has to do with the number of certifications that the average consultant has or perhaps just a general comfort level or feel they get when meeting with the company. However, we have found that many organizations choose their system integrator for the wrong reasons. While the number of installations, certifications, and referenceable customers are all important factors, they are just a handful of the many variables that should be considered. It gets down to one simple question: do you want to hire a systems integrator to help you implement software, or do you want a higher-value ERP consultant that will help you translate the implementation in a way that improves your business? Those are two very different approaches to implementing ERP systems and can be the difference between ERP success and failure.

For example, in all of our ERP expert witness and project recovery experience, ERP challenges, failures and lawsuits are rarely (if ever) caused by lack of software knowledge. While understanding the software is the price of admission in any large-scale implementation, it is hardly a differentiator and is certainly not difficult to find in the market. Instead, it is the other things that make or break a system integrator or ERP consultant’s level of success.

The differences between traditional ERP system integrators and more business-focused consultants are subtle, but extremely important. Focusing too much evaluation time and importance on the former will expose your ERP implementation to significant risk, while focusing on the latter will ensure that you find a firm that will help you implement your chosen ERP system in a way that results in better user adoption, more efficient business processes and higher realized business benefits.

As part of our 360-degree service offering, ERP Consultant Inc. can either help you find a system integrator as part of our ERP selection process, or act as your technology-agnostic implementation partner if you have already selected an ERP system. Contact us today to learn more.