As a rule, a company introduces an ERP system such as SAP Business One every 8 - 10 years. Employees and management often only experience everything to do with it once in a lifetime. This also applies to the selection of the right ERP system, which is the subject of this series. In the first part the foundations were laid in the second motivation. The third part discussed the responsibilities. In the fourth part The specifications followed, while the communication with the ERP partner in the fifth part was presented. We will now move on to the presentation phase.
The ERP selection process: The invitation
After you have Specifications The timetable will be adjusted for the third time when the team returns for evaluation. The many comments and enclosed information must first be read and understood. This often leads to the customer calling the telco.
Following further votes, the candidates who will be invited to present the new ERP Software be invited.
TIP
Don't forget: For the provider, applying for your ERP project means a lot of work.
Give him/her the time to prepare well.
It is difficult to find a date, as all relevant people, and especially those who consider themselves to be relevant, should be present. The schedule has to be adjusted again. The invitation is of course received with pleasure by the provider. First of all. Then the internal discussion starts about who should, may and must attend. The sales department naturally wants to present not only its application, but also its best consultants. They almost have to. Because in order to be able to answer all the many questions (see specifications) module and across departments, the man/woman who has the most experience and doesn't get weak-kneed at the prospect of having to answer all these questions has to get involved. Naturally, the schedule of such capacities is also full, which (you guessed it) leads to an adjustment of the schedule.
The presentations
The pre-selection has been made and the lucky candidates are invited to present their ERP software. A first hurdle is immediately placed in the way of the presenters in advance: Time. It is not uncommon for an overview to be delivered within two hours. They do not want to go into detail and therefore this time must be enough. At the same time, however, all relevant employees are invited to the presentation.
TIP
Clear rules help. Especially if they are adhered to.
"Questions are dealt with at the end" allows for a fixed schedule.
Open discussion groups rather not.
To everyone's surprise, there is nowhere near enough time. Because everyone present wants to see THEIR overview. All in all, these are all the essential things that were mentioned in the specifications and questions, questions, questions. It was agreed that all questions should be postponed until after the presentation. However, like many a good resolution, this is rarely honoured.
In the end, the only thing that helps is to overdo it or start deleting: "...that you can map the financial accounting, we now assume as a matter of course ..."
Presentation marathon
But even if there is enough time, such a presentation demands a lot from those present. It is no coincidence that an ERP application is a construct that has to be introduced with the help of consultants over the course of a project that often lasts months. Now all the interested newcomers are supposed to get a valid impression of complex interrelationships in a four-hour parade ride.
Particularly ambitious people try to fit in several presentations a day. The result is often that, in retrospect, it is no longer entirely clear who showed what content.
more on the subject:
ERP selection - if it were that easy / Part 1
ERP selection - if it were that easy / Part 2
ERP selection - if it were that easy / Part 3
ERP selection - if it were that easy / Part 4
ERP selection - if it were that easy / Part 5
