Selecting the right cloud ERP manufacturing software is one of the most important business decisions you can make. But with so many vendors on the market, the process of evaluating their software can be difficult and time-consuming.
We think this process should be easier. That’s why we put together this simple cloud ERP evaluation guide, which you can use to help plan your search for the solution that’s right for your manufacturing, distribution or supply chain business.
With so much information out there, where should you begin your research? Even if you think you know all about cloud ERP, a good first step is to familiarize (or re-familiarize) yourself with the basics. The following resources will
Learn about the cloud and the basic benefits of cloud-based ERP.
Learn the difference between these two cloud platforms and why it’s important.
Learn how replacing your on-premise ERP system with a modern cloud-basedERP system enables you to build operations that scale and take advantage of new technologies to out-service your competition.
Regardless of the size of your company, putting together an evaluation team with the right resources can make the process more thorough and efficient. Your team should include an executive sponsor, someone knowledgeable to serve as project leader, an IT expert, and key representatives from different functional areas of your company.
Learn more about assembling an evaluation team as well as the entire Cloud ERP evaluation process
Learn how to assemble an effective ERP evaluation team that meets the needs of your organization.
This will be most important step in your evaluation process, so don’t rush through it! It is easy to get lost in a long list of features and functions, so here are some ideas to help you identify the most important requirements for your business.Your evaluation team should fan out across the company to answer these critical questions:
This webinar with Frank Scavo from Computer Economics explains the five categories of digital transformation and the critical role that ERP plays.
Learn about the real differences between cloud ERP and hosted ERP systems and compare the benefits of each.
These are good starting points; your team will likely come up with more as they work to define your business requirements. Once you have gathered all of your requirements, rank them as must-haves or nice-to-haves.
Learn more about gathering business requirements in the evaluation process other Cloud ERP evaluation topics.
Learn how to assemble an effective ERP evaluation team that meets the needs of your organization.
Now you’re ready to turn your research outward. There are a lot of cloud ERP vendors out there, but many of them are more focused on service industries or companies with intangible products, rather than on manufacturing. Your goal should be to look for vendors like Rootstock Software who have deep manufacturing knowledge and experience.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Learn how Rootstock Software brings decades of manufacturing experience to cloud ERP.
Remember those business requirements your team put together earlier? Now is the time to probe deeply into each vendor’s software and match their capabilities to your requirements. We suggest at least two levels of demos. The first should give you a high-level overview of the vendor’s capabilities and technical environment. The second and following demos should be more detailed demonstrations that focus on your specific requirements.
You need to know if a vendor’s cloud ERP software will decrease the number of steps required to perform your most important processes. Be sure to get answers to these important questions:
Here are examples of process questions you could ask each cloud ERP vendor to demonstrate:
Get a more detailed discussion of these and other Cloud ERP evaluation topics.
Cloud ERP has a subscription-based pricing model, which gives you lower upfront costs. But it’s critical to examine all of the costs of the software and compare detailed price quotes from all vendors.
This article summarizes the different aspects of calculating TCO for ERP systems.
This article discusses the details of TCO calculations for ERP systems.
With rapidly changing customer demands, you need to be as flexible as possible. Here are questions you can ask each vendor to gauge the flexibility of their cloud ERP software:
You need to know if a vendor’s cloud ERP software will decrease the number of steps required to perform specific tasks. Of course, you’re looking for increased efficiency across your enterprise, so you want as many tasks to be streamlined and easy to perform as possible. For example, quotes and orders, inventory and supply chain planning, shop floor control and even customer service can and should be streamlined to increase efficiency and lower costs.
Don’t simply believe what the vendor tells you. When you test the software, you must run through every critical workflow to make sure the software does what it promises.
Get a more detailed discussion of these and other Cloud ERP evaluation topics.
You may have software already in use that works very well for specific functions. Will the cloud ERP software seamlessly integrate with these existing tools, or will you have to jump through hoops getting everything to work together?
Integration is where the choice of cloud platform plays a central role in your evaluation. For example, if your company already uses Salesforce CRM, you will want to look at cloud ERP solutions on the Salesforce cloud platform. Salesforce and Rootstock Software seamlessly integrate to give you a 360-degree view of your entire organization, your suppliers and your customers.
The Salesforce AppExchange offers thousands of apps designed specifically for the Salesforce Platform; not only is integration seamless, you can also easily extend Salesforce ERP with additional software on the Salesforce cloud platform.
Learn about the benefits of ERP for Salesforce.
Don’t underestimate the importance of ease of use. Everyone in your organization needs to get up to speed quickly with any new cloud ERP system, so the software must be as easy to use as possible.
This means software workflows and screens need to be laid out and presented with a consistent interface that lets users intuitively grasp how to use them. If users have to guess how to access critical functions, what buttons to click or what different labels mean, they quickly become frustrated having to spend more time learning the software than actually using and benefitting from the software.
Poorly designed software is usually easy to spot; different parts of the software may have different looking layouts and workflows, and functions may be difficult to find. Avoid cloud ERP software that looks like it was put together hastily with little attention to detail.
Also be aware of “Frankenclouds” that are bolted together from product acquisitions. The company’s messaging and marketing may position the product as completely integrated, but the reality is that they have different user interfaces, different tool sets and separated data.
Learn more about Frankenclouds here: https://www.smartindustry.com/articles/2019/beware-the-frankencloud/
To compete successfully in today’s digitized world, manufacturers need to find new and innovative ways to run their business and sell their products. Think about the digital future of your company when evaluating cloud ERP software; the software should let you leverage these new technologies to help drive the growth of your company.
Experience Rootstock’s mobile capabilities in this 30 minute on-demand demo to see how see to connect to and collaborate with people across your organization.
Learn about the latest technologies driving innovation in manufacturing.
Learn how advanced mobile communications has changed manufacturing.
It’s important to know how the cloud ERP software implementation will affect your business and if you and the vendor have adequate skills and staffing on hand to manage the implementation. Ask these questions before making any final decision:
Learn how you can help ensure a smooth implementation of your new cloud ERP software.
Learn more about avoiding the pitfalls of implementation.
Because you want your employees to get up to speed as quickly as possible with the new software, you need to ask each vendor about training:
Software updates, problem-free maintenance and speedy responses to issues are also important to consider when evaluating cloud ERP software. Some vendors offer direct support, while other vendors provide support through a third party, while still others offer different levels of support, with higher support levels typically available for a fee.
Determine the amount of support your company needs and how each vendor will provide it. You don’t want a software vendor who cannot deliver support when you need it.
Rootstock’s world-class, dedicated support team proactively works with you to help you get the most out of Rootstock Cloud ERP.
Learn how Rootstock provides high-quality, high-touch professional services and support.
Software vendors will often tell you what you want to hear. Now you can compare what they’ve told you and what you’ve learned from testing their software to what others are saying about them, including industry analysts and other customers.
Checking customer references is a critical step in choosing a cloud ERP solution. Calling or visiting a customer reference can provide very useful information that you won’t get from the vendor. Here are some questions you should ask during your call or visit:
Learn about Rootstock customers who have enjoyed returns on their cloud ERP investment.
If you follow the steps in this guide, you will be on your way to finding the right cloud ERP software for your business: a solution that is flexible enough to help you adapt quickly to changing business and customer needs; modern enough to evolve with your business; connected enough to help you stay in close touch with your customers, suppliers and employees; and one that gives you a 360° view of your entire enterprise so you can know everything about your customers and your business.
