How do I Choose the Best ERP Package?

There are many aspects to consider when choosing the best enterprise resource planning (ERP) package. You will need to evaluate your company’s specific needs and compare them with the ERP package options available, eliminating extraneous programs or services which will not serve your needs. It is also a good idea to consider the ease of customization and use, security and integration support of the many options available.

The first things to establish are your business or company’s key requirements. It may help to include all of those who may have to be a part of the ERP package or have an interest in its success. Together, you should compile a list of requirements the package must have and compare presentations or possibilities to eliminate packages which don’t seem to cover all your needs. It may be impossible for any ERP package to meet those needs 100% as is, so it is important to understand whether some are customizable or not. One key requirement to include is budget, which can help you find vendors or packages that serve your needs and don’t cost more than your business can spend.

While it may not be up to you or anyone in your company to use the software within the chosen ERP package, it is important to understand whether all aspects can easily integrate with your company’s systems and work flow. This means taking an assessment of the technical aspects of the package as well as getting an idea of what kind of personalized support you can expect. While a package might seem very good during a presentation or demo, it is important to ask questions specific to your systems, and be sure that if there are any issues, you can quickly get support for them.

It is also very important to most companies to know how secure the presented ERP package is. A business’s data may be its most important asset, so it is very important to most to keep it safe and secure. Asking many questions and even doing personnel evaluations may be necessary to ensure a package provides the security measures necessary to keep sensitive information safe.

In most cases, it will take some time, energy and compromise to find the best ERP package. Your business may need to meet with several presenters and evaluate many packages before finding one which fits. Many times, it helps to avoid a lengthy contract before trying a service and to barter prices to stay within budget.