ERP selection ? if it were that easy / part 6

As a rule, a company introduces an ERP system like SAP Business One every 8 - 10 years. Everything that has to do with it is often experienced only once in a lifetime by employees and management. This also applies to the selection of the right ERP system, which is the subject of this series. At first part the foundations were laid in the second motivation. The third part discussed the responsibilities. At fourth part The specifications followed, while the communication with the ERP partner in the fifth part was presented. In the following we go into the presentation phase.

The ERP selection process: The invitation

After you have Specifications has come back for evaluation, the schedule will be adjusted for the third time. The many comments and enclosed information must first be read and understood. This often leads to the client blowing the whistle on the telco.
After renewed voting, 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 effort.
Give him/her the time to prepare well.

It is difficult to find a date for the meeting, because all the relevant people and especially those who consider themselves to be there are supposed to be there. The schedule has to be adjusted again. Of course, the invitation is received with joy by the provider. First of all. Then the internal discussion starts, who should, may, must come along. Of course, the sales department wants to present not only its application, but also its best advisors. It almost has to. Because in order to be able to answer all the many questions (see specifications) module and cross-departmentally, the man/woman who has the most experience and does not get weak kneed at the prospect of having to answer all these questions has to take over. 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 to be given an overview within two hours. They do not want to go into detail and therefore this time must be sufficient. 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 not nearly enough time. Because everyone present wants to see HIS 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 deferred until after the presentation. However, like many good intentions, this is rarely followed through.
In the end, the only thing that helps is to overdraw or to start deleting: ?..that you are able to map the financial accounting, let's take that as a given ?

Presentation marathon

But even if there is enough time, such a presentation demands a lot from those present. An ERP ? application is not by chance a construct that has to be introduced with the help of consultants over an often months-long project. Now, interested newcomers are supposed to get a valid impression of complex interrelationships in a four-hour parforceride.

Particularly ambitious ones try to fit in several presentations a day. The result is often that in retrospect it is no longer quite clear who showed what content.