Amardip Rama, Head of Solutions at Mint UK
The true value of an enterprise resource platform implementation will not be felt in isolation. Companies need a strategy – one that ensures it moves into an ERP integration with eyes wide open and complete visibility. These systems are heavyweight and powerful which makes their integrations slow and meticulous for good reason. Incomplete data, poorly managed change, limited visibility into systems, and lift-and-shift silos will only take the problems inherent within one system and move them into another.
Your ERP is your backbone. Your business foundation. With an agile, scalable and modular solution, your business can upgrade and evolve at speed. This is why cloud-based ERP solutions are gaining momentum. Not only because they allow for deeper control over spend and systems, but because the granularity of their services allows for companies to benefit from as-a-Service modules that fit specific needs and expectations.
The move to a cloud-based ERP has also become a competitive and growth differentiator. In these new and adaptable systems, agility is wedded to artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven capabilities that reframe your organisation’s ability to innovate and respond to change.
However, as the Financial Times puts it, the goal is not to ‘focus exclusively on technological gains, underestimating the value of newly enabled capabilities.’
Strategy underpins an ERP success story
One of the most important considerations for your ERP needs to be a solid vendor strategy as this will ensure your business can achieve its expected objectives. Choosing the right vendor means ensuring that they have very specific qualities, capabilities and relationships.
The core considerations are:
- Your business needs – Your vendor should be able to help you assess your business needs, identify your unique pain points, unpack gaps in your operations and systems, and draw up a comprehensive checklist of requirements. Look for a vendor who can provide you with a complete evaluation that determines what ERP you need.
- Industry Expertise – A partner with experience in your industry can help you adopt a business-driven approach to implementation, rather than focusing primarily on technology. It’s crucial to understand the business’s needs and future growth potential, then align technology to support those requirements as they evolve
- A proven track record – Prioritise a vendor with a proven track record and expertise with the ERP platform of your choice. They will have an in-depth understanding of the technology, its quirks, how to overcome challenges, and how to optimise it appropriately. You don’t want to go on a learning curve with your vendor – ERP implementation needs a deft touch that leaves you with ROI and value.
- Exceptional relationships – Choose a vendor that has built strong relationships with their specific ERP platform providers. If they are invested in the Microsoft ERP architecture, ensure they have deep roots within the Microsoft ecosystem and relationships with key people that will help you get the best value for money, and an optimised integration. It is also a testament to their ability to build a relationship with your business which benefits you in the long term.
- Ongoing support – Does your vendor offer you support? There are many different flavours of support on offer today and not all of them are going to give you what you need. You want to know that if something goes wrong, your vendor will be there to ensure your business experiences minimal downtime and disruption. Premium support will help your business stay, well, in business and, if you choose the right vendor, it will include a level of change management that will enhance your employee’s use of your ERP.
Offering you access to the Microsoft Dynamics ERP ecosystem alongside a variety of support offerings and deep relationships with Microsoft, Mint can help your business as you move towards a modernised ERP architecture. If you’re seeking to centralise operations and drive intelligent, data-driven growth, then Mint can help you create an ERP solution that suits your needs.