Part 2: 3 Questions Manufacturers need to ask before selecting a new ERP system

Posted on: January 21, 2020 | By: Guy Logan | Microsoft Dynamics Business Central

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Partner

Welcome to the second blog in this mini-series, “Questions manufacturers need to ask before selecting a new ERP System” This week we are looking at 3 beneficial questions which will help manufacturers choose the most valuable system. This will define your business processes while gaining the most from a new ERP system. Logan Consulting is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner, focused on the manufacturing space. We are pleased to share some thoughts based on our experience.

Does the ERP vendor have a solution that fits your needs?

The number of partners, vendors and suppliers offering ERP solutions is immense. You must determine if their offerings fit your needs and not let them dictate to you based on their approach. When choosing the right vendor, there’s a few things that need to be considered, like value, reputation, support and costs.

If you think about the solutions the vendor will offer, those same solutions should align with your issues. Can their system provide solutions to the issues your business is facing? You also need to consider whether you believe their system is user friendly. Can you see you and your company using the solution every day? Next, comes the reputation of the ERP vendor. Do they have good reviews? Find out who their clients are and search for references from similar businesses to yours. This way you can see if there has been success in a similar industry.

Another key point to consider is if the vender provides good support. They need to be able to help you from the requirements analysis to the implementation and support you after you go live. What kind of training do they offer and how long do they estimate the implementation will take? Once you have answers to these questions you will need to understand the cost. Does the estimated cost match the value you think you will receive?

How would you define your business processes?

An ERP solution is a tool to assist in streamlining business processes. So, you need to understand and categorize your business processes. Do you have straight-forward processes? Are you willing to change and update your processes based on the solution you choose? Or do you have complex processes that require a highly configured solution? Whatever the answer is, you will need a solution that fits appropriately.  Some solutions lend themselves to more configurable processes, but there will certainly be a higher cost in terms of software and implementation. It may be justified but it certainly is something you need to analyze.

What other systems will you have to integrate with?

One big benefit to an ERP implementation is the removal of spreadsheets and redundant systems. However, your ERP system will not remove every system in the company. For example, how will you integrate CAD drawings? Do you have detailed EDI requirements? Do you need a manufacturing execution system (MES)? Customer Relations Management (CRM)? We believe as a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner that having all your data in one accessible location can improve internal workflows. Having data available in a centralized location helps facilitate business processes and improves collaboration amongst team members. So, it is imperative that you determine the other systems that will be integrated to your ERP solution

These are three questions Logan Consulting believes manufacturers need to ask before selecting an ERP system. If you want to learn more about selecting an ERP system for a manufacturing company download our whitepaper “24 Questions Manufacturers Need to Ask Before Selecting a New ERP System” or feel free to contact Logan Consulting, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner.



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