5 Benefits of Hiring an Independent ERP Advisory Firm for ERP Selection and Project Management

Whether in business or in life, when we ought to make a difficult yet crucial decision – we take an expert opinion. 

The inception of search engines has made it rather easier to find answers to most if not all our questions. However, businesses are built with a complex framework that involves understanding a broader spectrum of functions and processes, so we can’t depend on internet searches for answers

When managing projects in your business, a lot of intricate questions and challenges emerge, making the process a strenuous one. The implementation of an enterprise-wide software solution is one such project. To accomplish this, the most common practice is to engage the internal IT or finance team to manage these projects. 

The reason for such engagements is the belief that ERP implementation requires either purely technical or financial knowledge to succeed. 

Seldom do businesses understand that successful ERP implementations are influenced by various factors like the depth of ones knowledge about all areas of the business, its future strategies, method of selecting the right solution, having a reliable implementation partner, and an unrivaled strategy for deployment.

Benefit From the Expertise of an Independent ERP advisor

An independent ERP advisor can assist your business with the finest approach in understanding your requirements, re-engineering the processes, helping people accept change, and advising on the best-fit solution. They will be a reliable implementation partner who will work on reducing the overall risk elements in the project significantly. 

Every business has unique support requirements determined by the project type, resources available, and the ratio of strengths and weaknesses of the implementation team. 

An independent ERP advisory can use its experience and skills to find solutions that best cater to your business needs considering your industry, size, and most importantly, your budget.

Here’s an overview of the 5 benefits of hiring an independent ERP advisory firm for your project:

1. Focus on Client Requirements

The most crucial task at hand for an ERP advisor is to understand client expectations and requirements. 

An ERP advisor takes the top-down approach in understanding the business. They start with the management, understanding their expectations out of an the ERP solution and the future strategies, and continuing with the department heads and process owners, collecting their day-to-day tasks, challenges, and expectations. The end result of this exercise is a detailed and well-defined request for proposal encompassing all business requirements.

2. Industry Experience

An independent ERP implementation advisor utilizes their hands-on experience and knowledge while working with different industries. 

They are familiar with the solutions, tools, and software alternatives pertaining to your industry requirements and are well-versed with the phases of implementation .

The steps involved in an ERP implementation are the longest and can be overwhelming for any business to handle on their own. 

Expert independent ERP advisors know all the ins and outs of the system and will detect errors before they occur. They can evaluate the pros and cons of each system and steer you in the right direction. With a clear understanding of the challenges and needs of your business, they present accurate proposals for the ERP system vendors. 

With the help of the right advisor, you can manage all the facets of your project implementation with minimal oversight.

3. Unbiased Approach

When you choose to hire an independent advisor, you opt for sincere and genuine insights into the best-fit ERP solution for your business. 

At times, this could mean leveraging the existing ERP application to meet the business requirements instead of looking for a new solution. 

Another nook to consider about independent ERP advisors are their non-alliance with any vendors or businesses for referrals. You can be assured that you will only be served with impartial and reliable advice on your potential systems that fit your business needs.

4. Well- timed Implementation

Each team working in a business internally is assigned their respective roles and responsibilities

An external specialist understands the nature and framework of the organization and operates within the time and resources allocated for the project. They possess the flexibility to work on your plans and solutions as there is no scope for tedious workloads or departmental pressure. 

This helps in keeping the alignment of your business goals, functions, and processes altogether for a smooth workflow and successful implementation of your projects. 

An independent ERP advisor places their complete focus on the target and dedicates their expertise to fulfill your requirements. This allows you to prevent any possible delays or barriers that often result in a wastage of time and effort.

5. Elimination of Risk

A professional ERP advisor designs the most appropriate model for your specific requirements. 

The selection of the pertinent ERP solution and vendor is made following a coherent procedure. This enables a better hold on project goals, documentation of the case, pricing comparisons, and contract negotiations, and allows you to track your path. 

By constantly monitoring the progress of the project, an independent ERP consultancy will assist you in identifying significant risks to avoid to attain the expected results. 

An external advisor understands the worth of your investment and strives to reduce the risk and cost associated with project management.

Get an Independent ERP Advisor Onboard

Having an independent ERP specialist onboard with ample experience in the industry, and who knows your requirements, the software required, vendors, contracts, and what to negotiate can prove to be highly beneficial for your business. 

A third party with an honest and unbiased perspective can aid in maximizing returns with their efficacy in the selection and implementation of your chosen ERP solution.