The decision to implement an ERP solution is often difficult. But choosing an ERP vendor is even more challenging. As a result, you search online, scan vendor websites, and speak to salespeople, but still have difficulty deciding. Just because a vendor has a strong online presence doesn’t mean they have the perfect ERP solution.
With a substantial investment involved, you want some clear ways to help you decide on a vendor who can best fulfill your requirements. Here’s a checklist to help you choose:
Define your business requirements
Deciding on an ERP solution for Manufacturing requires extensive modeling of your business processes and requirements. Not all ERP solutions are right for all businesses.
As a discrete manufacturer, you may be making a product like many others, yet with a different method. One ERP solution cannot fit the many methods used by businesses. That is why such a large number of ERP vendors exist.
While selecting an ERP solution, do not just choose the cheapest or the most convenient option and expect easy customizations to fit your unique needs. Customizations can be complex and require in-depth knowledge, for which you’ll need outside expertise. Customization should be reserved for essential changes only. Identify tasks, jobs, and workflows thoroughly with a business process modeling exercise and then assess whether it relates to and is supported by an ERP system.
Seek a long-term solution
An ERP system must grow with your company and business plans. It must accommodate the changing requirements over the years, in terms of the scale of operation and technological changes. History is the best future predictor.
Identify vendors involved in the early adoption of technology and development of responsive solutions, who support anytime, anywhere access. Consider a solution that adapts to sound manufacturing principles instead of one that lacks substance.
Calculate return on investment
Return on investment remains one of the most defining criteria for selecting an ERP solution. An ideal ERP solution must make it fairly easy to transition and ensure a quick setup and adoption of new processes. And importantly, which helps you improve operations.
Streamline production schedules
The ability to efficiently schedule and track operations on the shop floor is a constant challenge. With a sophisticated production module, you can integrate your processes, and track and plan production cycles. An ideal ERP solution helps you optimize production and utilize resources efficiently.
Identify a solution that helps you plan for production, implement schedules, and maintain your operations effectively.
Know your ERP vendor
The culture of an ERP vendor is something that is overlooked when choosing a solution. But, ignoring it can be costly. Take into consideration factors such as their commitment to delivering support services, how long it will take to implement the software, and what is their customer training process when you shortlist ERP vendors.
Selecting an ERP vendor
Discrete manufacturing ERP solutions play a vital role in synchronizing operations and enhancing business value for manufacturers. OptiProERP has proven experience in delivering a best-in-class ERP solution to manufacturers across sectors and sizes of operations. If you seek an ERP solution that can fit your unique business requirements and help attain long- and short-term business objectives, contact us today!
Download our advisory on A Roadmap for ERP Selection in Today’s Digital World and learn about how to choose the right ERP software for your business.
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