ERP Selection

Sentinel Consulting is built on the cornerstone of ERP independence. Our unbiased ERP software selection methods have helped our clients select a modern ERP solution that best enables their business success

We regularly conduct objective research and leverage our vendor independence through ERP comparisons to gather unbiased information about top ERP software vendors, their implementation support services, and their products to determine the technology solution in each vertical industry that is the best fit for your company.

We leverage this research to supply you with credible and relevant insights to determine the solutions that will successfully enable your strategic business interests and long-term objectives in accordance with set ERP selection criteria.

Best Practices for Software Evaluation

The evaluation of any ERP software vendor solution must be conducted with proven expertise and objectivity. Sentinel’s extensive research and vendor independence provides a neutral frame of reference to help you with your ERP selection decision.

Our combined industry expertise, vendor research, and intimate knowledge of your business, which we accomplish through our extensive Business Process Improvement (BPI) services, will help you conduct an independent technology evaluation that is designed around your future state needs.

A Proven Enterprise Software Selection Method

Sentinel’s proven enterprise software selection methodology is a multi-dimensional approach that starts with taking the necessary measures to fully understand your business. After performing several discovery activities to become well-versed in your business processes, we then go through an ERP requirements definition to identify certain criteria your ERP software solution should address, which is determined through our future state mapping activities.

After we have analyzed your current state and defined your future state through our comprehensive ERP readiness assessment, your team will be poised with the confidence you’ll need to objectively evaluate software options and navigate the competitive vendor landscape, which will ultimately lead to the best enterprise software selection decision for your company.

Six Primary ERP Software Selection Factors We Apply

1. Features & Functionality
Does the software meet the future state industry and process needs of your business? Will your users find the software intuitive and easy-to-use? Does the software have advanced industry functionality to support your dynamic business needs?

2. Vendor Synergy
Does the vendor understand your business? Will they stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest trends in the industry? Do they have the necessary experience in your industry? Do they listen to your questions and concerns? Do you matter to them? Do you like them both on a personal and professional level?

3. Solution Agility & Viability
Is the vendor invested in this product solution? Will the software be a part of their service offering for the long-term? Is the product or company a target for acquisition or divestiture? Will the software capabilities be able to stay ahead of and cater to your future needs?

4. Technology Alignment
Does the platform fit within your technology roadmap? Is the company following industry standards for current and future integrations? Are the right competencies available for this platform? What is the company’s plan for long-term support and administration services? Will it be a hosted, cloud-based, or on-premise solution?

5. Total Cost of Ownership
Are you able to forecast the investment for the long term? Do you feel you have a complete understanding of what happened during contract negotiations and the resulting agreement, including information about:

• Software licensing costs

• Enterprise software implementation services

• Annual maintenance

• Subscriptions

• Upgrade costs, including services/support, software integrations and services

• Are you aware of the ongoing support and administration services the vendor is willing to provide?

6. Implementation Confidence
Does their implementation methodology align with and support your drivers for success? Is their project planning capabilities comprehensive with adequate detail? How are risks and issues managed? What about organizational change management? Have vendor customer references been obtained (relevant to your industry)? How do they implement, do they use a proven implementation methodology, do they have a track record of providing on-time and on-budget projects? What factors of success or failure have they experienced?

How to Evaluate a Software Based on Your Defined Future State

Traditional checklists and ERP RFP documents, also known as requests for proposals, add little value to a proper enterprise software evaluation. It is much more important to evaluate the overall flow of information and ease-of-use, and understand how the ERP software performs necessary process activities – two key factors that are not addressed by traditional RFP methods.

Sentinel will guide your team in aligning your ERP software evaluation criteria to the future state of your business processes and requirements. Evaluating the ERP software and implementation services against your future state business process models will enable your team to make the best decision that supports your long-term needs.

Selecting the Software That Best Fits Your Organization

There are many websites and services that provide software feature comparisons for free or for a fee. However, feature comparison only tells a small part of the story. Vendors should demonstrate their capabilities against your future state, not according to their razzle-dazzle agenda of fancy bells and whistles.

Any enterprise wide software demonstration requires an acute focus on vendor dynamics for you to be able to cut through the smoke and mirrors and ensure their ERP software truly does what the company says it does, and is the right fit for your company and your industry. Sentinel will help you analyze usability, industry fit, legacy data migration, and scrutinize the potential for customizations or added support.

Points of Consideration for Every Contract Negotiation

ERP software contracts and prices are very complex and volatile. By taking advantage of our experience in leading ERP software selection projects, you will be able to support your team in navigating through the complex terms and conditions of ERP contract negotiations, and establishing the correct short and long-term budget.

Our goal in this stage of the ERP software selection process is to ensure your organization buys the right software components – AT THE BEST COST POSSIBLE. Our contract negotiation capabilities are one of the core services we excel in, translating to minimizing these costs to the lowest possible discounted amounts.

We will complete the solution selection by creating a multi-year business case model that supports the final approval and contractual agreements

Drafting the Transformation Roadmap

Many corporate organizations do not have the ability to absorb the full scope of the future state. Sentinel’s Business Process Transformation services will provide you with a full roadmap and timeline to effectively lead you through your future state in a systematic and doable way.

Milestone expectations and value targets are sequenced to ensure speed and accountability for success across your team. The Transformation Roadmap is positioned to secure your ERP software selection project meets and exceeds your expectations, and is enacted according to a plan that delivers results on-time and on-budget.