It takes some effort to find a great ERP partner. But when you find one who is experienced, trustworthy, and enthusiastic (and knows how to stay on time and on budget), you will know you have found the right one.

The world is filled with great cars… but very few great mechanics. Exceptional ERP solutions… but very few exceptional ERP partners. Just as your mechanic is critical for your peace of mind when you are planning a road trip, the right ERP partner is critical for your peace of mind when you are trailblazing new paths at your business.

Of course, you have had years of experience with bad mechanics, so you already know how to find a great one. But this may be your first time implementing a new ERP.

This brief guide will help you discover what to look for in a new ERP partner so that you can find your perfect partner as quickly as possible.

Why You Need to Find the Right ERP Partner (A Good Analogy)

I assume you have noticed that there are a lot of ERP consulting firms out there, just like there are a lot of mechanics. Finding the right one is difficult, but we all know that having a great mechanic pays off down the road. Having a great ERP partner pays off too.

In both cases, the right professional will be:

• Highly experienced
• Trustworthy and a great listener
• Enthusiastic about your project and its success
• Knowledgeable about current trends and challenges
• A creative problem solver who can identify and address potential obstacles early so your project stays on time and on budget

Unfortunately, most mechanics only have a few of these qualities. (Most ERP partners too.) Usually, you end up with:

• The Hobbyist – Great for No-Rush Jobs, Bad at Being On-Time and On-Budget

The hobbyist mechanic is your buddy’s buddy. He has been working on cars since he was 13 and can solve any issue. He is excellent and affordable, and you trust his advice implicitly. However, he has other priorities in life, so he may take weeks or months to fix your car.

And, while he is a genius with cars, he does not have car repair down to a science, so he is likely to follow a few dead ends before he discovers the best fix for you. Each of those dead ends will need parts that you pay for, so he may also not be as “on budget” as you hoped either.

Overall, he is suitable for no-rush jobs but not the right choice if you need your car back by a specific time or at a predictable cost. Some ERP partners are like this. They are usually the one- or two-person consulting companies.

• The One-Size-Fits-All Shop – Great for Time and Budget, Bad at Meeting Your Exact Needs

On the other side of the spectrum, there is the one-size-fits-all shop, like Valvoline. They only do oil changes, but they do them so quickly that there is no reason for you to even leave your car. It is impressive. They are a bit pricey, but they really know oil changes. Does your car take a special type of synthetic oil, or do you have to perform a strange cheat code to get your Check Oil light to turn off? The Valvoline techs are on top of all of it.

They are experienced, right on time, and on budget… but not enthusiastic. In fact, it is pretty clear that you are just a number to them because if you ask questions about anything other than this specific oil change, they won’t know the answer – and they will be politely irritated you asked. And when it comes to trustworthy advice… well, I do not know about you, but they always recommend that I buy an air filter whenever I come in. That seems fishy. Even if they are right, I always suspect they are trying to upsell me.

Overall, they are great for a quick oil change when you are short on time, but they are not the right choice for ongoing car maintenance. Some ERP partners are like this. They are usually the ones that focus on fast, one-size-fits-all implementations. They do not build relationships.

How to Find the Right Partner

So, you do not want one of the tiny, one- or two-person consulting companies, and you do not want an implementation shop. How do you find the right partner? Our “Choosing an ERP Implementation Partner” white paper can help.

In this white paper, you will learn:

• The #1 most important characteristic of an implementation partner
• 4 additional must-have qualities for great partners
• Essential questions you should ask to confirm their expertise
• Tips on how to read between the lines to understand what prospective partners are really saying in their answers

Access the White Paper Here

But What About After Implementation?

Like a car, you expect your new ERP to work reliably for decades after implementation. That is why the right partner will also provide ongoing support and maintenance. It is critical that you also feel comfortable calling them up and asking for advice when you need it.

Trusting your ERP implementation partner for support gets you:

• Faster resolution times
• Less downtime at your business
• Solutions that are perfectly aligned with your business and industry since your partner truly knows your company and you

Plus, if you work with a highly experienced partner, you will likely get faster attention from your ERP vendor. This is because your partner probably has an “in” with the vendor and can get you on the vendor’s priority VIP list.

Trusting your implementation partner for long-term advice gets you:

• A sounding board who can help you come up with ideas to address your emerging challenges
• Proactive recommendations on new tools, add-ons, and integrations geared for your specific business model and industry
• Fast, reliable answers to your ERP questions, as well as ongoing advice to improve your workflows and streamline your operations

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“ABS understands our business and what we’re trying to do, which saves a lot of time. I have confidence and know that if I turn an issue over to ABS, I won’t have to deal with the problem, I’ll just get the solution.” (Read the success story to learn more.)

 

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Gain the Peace of Mind You Deserve for Your Business

Imagine this: If your car does not start up tomorrow morning, you won’t be able to drive to work until it is fixed. But, if you have already developed a relationship with a great mechanic, you will know where to get it towed, you will know you can rely on a fast, effective fix from them, and you may even be able to borrow a loaner car for a couple of days so you can stay on track.

Now, what if your ERP did not start up tomorrow morning? It powers every aspect of your company, from your financials to your customer and sales records, from your daily operations and scheduling to your future strategy. Even if all your employees are in the office on time, could your business do anything without it running?

If you have a relationship with a great ERP partner, you will know your business will be okay and back on track soon because you will be in good hands.

Looking for a Great ERP Partner? Learn About ABS.

 

Accounting Business Solutions is a respected accounting and business management software solution provider. We provide experienced sales, consulting, implementation, training and support services for small to medium-sized companies located in south central and southeast Texas. Our portfolio of solutions includes cloud based, hosted and on-premise options.