At Crawford Software, we are accustomed to 3rd party ISVs. We find ourselves in a unique position as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation and training specialists that allow us the privilege of an agnostic viewpoint of ERP providers and add-ons. Many manufacturers come to Crawford Software looking for guidance on an ERP system as well as different tools that may help to fully streamline the system into their business.
What to look for?
Your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution is implemented to help you run your entire business and streamline processes throughout every department. There are some features that an ERP system might not be able to accomplish for your specific business needs. During your business process review, while evaluating ERP system providers, you will need to make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves; with this list, you will then need to evaluate if a 3rd party system could accommodate your business needs.
These 3rd party ISVs might fill the gap for your finance and accounting process, shop floor efficiencies, document management, or even tax compliance automation. When selecting which 3rd party providers to integrate into your ERP system, be on the lookout for the ERP system recommendations as well as the implementation team’s recommendations – this will indicate which companies “play” well with your ERP system and which you will have better ongoing support from.
What to watch out for?
There are some key items to watch out for as you choose your ERP system and which systems to integrate to streamline all your business needs. You will want to be cautious about any 3rd party ISVs that tell you it will be “smooth sailing”. There will not be an ERP integration that does not come with its’ own challenges. You will want to look for a partner that gives you accurate timeframes and firm goals and be cautious of ones that do not put a formal proposal into writing.
Summary
Choosing, implementing, and training your workforce on an ERP system is a tall task and you will want to make sure you are ready for the commitment. Both budget and timeframe play large parts in your next ERP system. The ERP system you choose and the team who implements it are experts, listen to their recommendations, and work together to deploy the most efficient ERP system for your business process.