Manufacturing ERP Selection and Implementation

The Client

A leading UAE-based manufacturing business with more than three decades of operations, serving customers across the UAE, GCC and wider MENA region. The company operates across multiple product categories, including printing and packaging related activities, with operations spread across multiple business functions.

As the business grew, management recognised the need for a modern, integrated ERP system to improve visibility, standardise processes and support future growth.

Background and Business Requirements

The organisation was operating with a combination of legacy systems and internally developed applications that supported only selected business functions. Information was fragmented across departments, creating challenges in obtaining real-time visibility, standardising workflows and managing operations through a single platform.

Management identified the implementation of an enterprise-wide ERP system as a strategic initiative to create a centralised operating model and improve decision-making across the organisation. However, selecting the right ERP software and implementation partner required specialised expertise.

The company needed an independent advisor to:

• Review existing business processes
• Document detailed business and functional requirements
• Prepare a structured ERP Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Evaluate ERP solutions and implementation partners
• Support commercial negotiations and contract review
• Provide ERP project management and implementation oversight

The objective was not simply to select software, but to ensure that technology aligned with business processes, operational requirements and long-term growth plans.

The Engagement

Affility was engaged as an independent business and ERP advisory partner, representing management throughout the ERP selection and implementation journey. The engagement covered the entire lifecycle of the project, from initial process review to ERP go-live.

The project commenced with a comprehensive business process review involving key stakeholders across departments. Functional and operational requirements were captured and converted into a detailed ERP RFP document.

Multiple ERP vendors and implementation partners were evaluated through a structured assessment process, including solution demonstrations, proof-of-concept sessions and commercial evaluations. Affility facilitated vendor interactions, conducted independent assessments and supported management during pricing negotiations and contract reviews.

Following ERP selection, Affility continued to provide project management support over the span of 12 months, including implementation planning, requirements validation, scope management, overseeing master data preparation, testing coordination, training facilitation and go-live readiness reviews.

The Deliverable

The engagement resulted in:

• Business process review and requirements documentation
• ERP Request for Proposal (RFP)
• ERP and vendor evaluation framework
• Independent ERP and implementation partner recommendation
• Commercial and contract advisory support
• ERP project governance and implementation oversight
• Training, testing and go-live supportAffility acted as an independent advisor throughout the engagement, ensuring that business requirements remained at the centre of every decision.
  

  The Result

  The organisation successfully selected a Tier 2 ERP solution aligned with its operational requirements and growth objectives.

  By combining business process review, structured ERP evaluation and independent project oversight, the company reduced implementation risk, improved stakeholder alignment and established a stronger foundation for future growth.

  More importantly, management gained confidence that the chosen solution was based on business needs rather than vendor influence, helping ensure that technology investments delivered measurable business value.