What are the signs you need to outsource your ERP implementation?

ERP implementations (or any kind of system implementations for that matter) are tricky, time-consuming projects that require a lot of highly skilled manpower. That’s the main reason why business leaders, like yourself, may be wondering whether you should outsource your implementation project. Here are four signs to suggest you should work with an ERP implementation partner.

1. You lack the necessary experience in-house…
2. …and you don’t want to recruit
3. You have limited resources and hard deadlines looming
4. You don’t have the time

4 signs you should outsource your ERP implementation

1. You lack the necessary experience in-house…

As we said earlier, ERP implementation projects are complex. There are plenty of pitfalls to avoid and best practices to follow based on your industry, precise business needs and choice of solution. Unless you’re lucky to have an experienced implementation team already, it can be difficult to seamlessly navigate all those challenges.

This is something businesses who take their implementation in-house have discovered, according to a Deloitte and Forbes survey that found a top challenge to be poor implementation tactics.

An ERP implementation partner will ideally have years of experience in such projects and their consultants will have encountered many challenges before. So, they’ll be expecting them and know how best to overcome them, even with your unique circumstances.

2. …and you don’t want to recruit

Ah, that was going to be our next suggestion if you didn’t have the necessary expertise in-house. It’s understandable - recruiting and training additional employees is time-consuming. And then there’s the fact that if you want the best implementation specialists, they won’t come cheap.

If you don’t have the necessary expertise in-house, you don’t want to recruit and you want your ERP implementation project to be a success, it just makes business sense to partner with an agency.

3. You have limited resources and hard deadlines looming

This sign links to the first two. If you don’t have the resources in-house (e.g. expertise, manpower, money etc), it can be quite challenging to meet your desired go-live date. Work with an ERP implementation partner and this burden can be lifted.

4. You don’t have the time

Not only are ERP implementation projects complex, they’re often lengthy - taking anywhere from six months to as long as several years. This can vary wildly depending on various factors, including the size of the company, the complexity of the system to be installed, the complexity of the current system setup, number of users and more.

The point we’re trying to make is if you don’t have the time to spend on a project of this size and for that length of time, it could be a good idea to outsource your ERP implementation.

So, what should be your next step?

All signs are leading to an ERP implementation partner! Here’s a quick summary of the benefits you could gain from working with one:

• You don’t need to recruit or train/upskill existing employees
• It’s usually a more cost-effective option
• You gain access to an exclusive talent pool
• They handle the ins and outs of the implementation so you and your team gain time back

Your next questions are probably ‘where do I find all the best ERP implementation partners and how do I pick the right one for my business?’. Luckily for you, we have a guide that covers just that. More, actually.

In our guide, we discuss the three main options available to you when it comes to ERP implementations and their pros and cons:

• Keeping it in-house
• Working with a software author
• Working with an implementation partner

We then cover eight top tips to help you choose the right implementation partner for your business needs. Download it below!