This year we will begin featuring guest blogs from several members of the PKF Texas Consulting Solutions team. Craig Abbott, one of our managers in charge of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV accounts, has written a post about the cost effectiveness of going to the cloud. This is Part II. Part I appeared last Wednesday.
Given all the ERP options on the market, it is easy to get caught up in the hype and focus entirely on what product you will select. But you should also pay attention to who will be implementing it for you. Like it or not, these folks are going to be part of your family for the next few months, you better actually trust and like them. Here are some things to consider.
- Do they listen?
- Do they offer actual solutions that will work?
- Not only do they know the software but do they know accounting?
- Do they have actual business experience or are they professional consultants?
- Do they communicate well and meet deadlines during the proposal process.
If you hire an architect to design your dream home, who do you want to build it? Me? Remember I am a software implementer who could just talk a good game. Or would you contact an actual home builder?
This last one is the hard part so I am going to come out and say it. You may not have the right people to move to the next stage of your company’s life. I did not say fire everyone. As companies move to more complicated software, whether it is Dynamics NAV or a competitor, the complaint we hear the most is it is too complicated. That is not really always the case; it is likely that your business is becoming more complicated. Your demands for information and reports have become more complicated. The deadlines for financial information have become tighter.
The best software and business process development will not work if they people who operate it on a daily basis are not the right fit. You have to make the investment in the right people as well. Sometimes they are already on your team, but still go through the evaluation process.
When it comes to your ERP software if you plan ahead, build the right professional relationships and hire the right people and get out of their way, you will have more time to do what you do best, sell and grow you business.