Your SMB is growing, and your current tools can't keep up. Information is scattered across several systems, getting a reliable real-time view of your operations is a challenge, and your teams still spend a lot of time on repetitive tasks.
An ERP system can change that, as long as you choose the right one. Here are 9 criteria to help you get your selection process off to a strong start. A solution that meets them will help you build a more resilient and agile business.
1. A Clear and Complete List of Needs
Everyone knows that grocery shopping on an empty stomach is never a good idea. On the other hand, a precise list that reflects what you really need helps you fill your cart with the right ingredients for a full week of good meals.
The same goes for your ERP. Before meeting with vendors, take the time to work with your team on a precise and complete list of your needs. Of all the steps in the selection process, this is the one that will have the biggest influence on your project's success.
Bring together the key people in your business and take a close look at the health of your operations. Ask yourselves the right questions, for example:
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What are our business priorities and main challenges?
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What resources (budget, staff, time) can we dedicate to the project?
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Which processes or systems are holding back our growth? Which ones work well?
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Where in the business do we lack visibility? For example, if you're a food and beverage company, can you trace your products efficiently? Are your lot recalls long and complicated?
Your team members will naturally have different points of view, and that's a good thing. This exercise takes time and careful thought, but the document it produces will be your reference throughout the selection process.
Need help building this list? Download our ERP Selection Kit.
2. Complete, Fully Integrated Features
During your evaluation, focus on the quality of the features that really matter to you. For example, is your finance team excited about the tools that will simplify their day-to-day work? Do your production managers feel that planning and scheduling will be easier than they expected?
Above all, make sure the solution you're considering is a fully integrated, all-in-one system. That way, when information changes in one module (inventory, for example), every module that uses it, such as shipping or invoicing, is updated instantly.
The best ERP solutions also let you add ready-to-use modules whenever it suits you. For example, you could gradually roll out a warehouse management (WMS) or customer relationship management (CRM) module.
3. A User-Friendly Interface That Makes Adoption Easier
If your team doesn't find the system intuitive, they'll avoid using it. A bit like the exercise bike you bought with the best of intentions that now serves as a clothes rack.
An intuitive system, on the other hand, requires less training and makes change management easier. Your team will build it into their daily work faster and become more productive.
4. A Cloud ERP That Grows With You and Is Accessible Anywhere
No matter how fast you're growing, a cloud ERP gives you the computing capacity you need, when you need it. You don't have to invest in servers or manage the infrastructure yourself, which significantly lightens the load on your IT team.
Your team can also access the system anytime, from anywhere, using a simple web browser. For a growing SMB, that flexibility is a major advantage.
5. A Vendor That Develops and Implements Its Own Solution
Many of the ERPs you'll evaluate are sold and implemented by authorized resellers. Working with them, however, means adding an intermediary between your business and the software developer.
Fidelio does things differently. The same team develops, sells, and implements the solution.
This is fairly rare, and it comes with real benefits. When your implementation partner is also the ERP's developer, you work with a team that knows the platform inside and out and directly controls how it evolves. You benefit from in-depth expertise, and having no intermediary helps reduce your costs.
6. A Solution Built for Your Industry
Craving seafood? Choosing a restaurant that specializes in it greatly increases your chances of enjoying your meal.
In the same way, it's wise to evaluate ERP systems designed to meet the specific needs of your industry. You'll limit custom development costs. You'll also have peace of mind knowing your system is the result of many years of refinement and collaboration between experienced developers and businesses in your industry.
Fidelio, for example, is built specifically for SMBs in manufacturing, distribution, and food and beverage. Our developers built the solution through many years of working with companies in these industries, which allowed them to incorporate their best practices.
7. A Reliable, Collaborative Implementation Partner
Choosing your implementation partner is just as important as choosing the software itself. A healthy relationship with the right partner means you can count on:
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strategic advice to help you reach your goals
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rigorous project management
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in-depth knowledge of the technology.
Keep in mind that most ERP systems are used for 10 to 15 years, or even longer. Make sure your vendor has solid experience and a clear vision for how their software will evolve.
Your partner should also have the resources to provide your team with the training and support they'll need. Everyone's responsibilities and expectations should be clearly defined from the start.
8. Clear, Predictable Pricing
With some ERP vendors, it's hard to estimate the true cost of the system because of hidden or variable fees. Be wary, for example, of vendors who charge based on software usage. With this type of pricing, your growth leads to higher transaction volumes, and therefore a higher bill, which lowers the return on your investment.
At Fidelio, pricing is simple. We charge a monthly fee per user, a bit like your cell phone plan. This fee covers software use, hosting, and support. This SaaS (software as a service) model lets you predict your costs and benefit from regular updates that improve the software's performance.
In the medium and long term, the right ERP can significantly improve your productivity. Your teams spend less time on manual tasks and can focus on value-added work, which helps you support your growth.
9. Secure Data So You Can Sleep at Night
Major cloud service providers offer levels of security and compliance far beyond what most SMBs could put in place on their own.
Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure, for example, have state-of-the-art security facilities as well as backup and disaster recovery solutions, managed by thousands of cybersecurity specialists.
With Fidelio, your data belongs to you, which isn't always the case with other vendors. Our servers are also located in Canada and the United States, which makes it easier to comply with local privacy laws.
To learn more about the benefits of the cloud, read our article What Is Cloud ERP Software and What Are Its Benefits?.
Choose Wisely to Grow Sustainably
Your choice of ERP will have a long-term impact on your company's productivity and the quality of your business decisions. By taking the time to choose the right software and implementation partner, you give your SMB a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
Have questions? Feel free to get in touch with us.
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