How can you recognize competent ERP consulting?
1. Request the CV or résumé of the consultant
To be sure that the consultant selected for your project is the right fit for your project, it is advisable to request his or her CV at the outset. The CV will quickly tell you whether the candidate has already gained experience and expertise in a similar or the same industry.
Depending on your plans, it may be helpful to have already implemented the ERP system you are aiming for. This way, you should make sure that you have a consultant familiar with the ERP system at your side when implementing the ERP system.
The situation is different, however, when it comes to independent ERP selection consulting. If the consultant has already worked for the ERP manufacturer, caution is advised. The likelihood of bias is high and you are offered the opposite of independent ERP advice.
A good consultant or reputable consulting firm will always provide you with the consultant’s CV and also a free appointment to get to know you.
2. Keep an eye on diversity
A high degree of diversity is good!
In addition to the CV of the ERP consultant, you should also pay attention to the diversity of the suggestions made during the ERP selection and recommendations. If your consultant suggests the same ERP for a wide range of ERP projects with many obvious differences in requirements, then independent advice is unlikely.
An independent ERP consultancy must prioritize customer orientation and the best possible coverage of requirements. The personal preferences of the consultant themselves, despite their good knowledge of a preferred ERP system, must not play a role. So make sure that your consultant does not constantly talk about the same ERP system.
Sometimes less is more!
On the other hand, too much diversity in a consultant’s industry coverage is rarely a good idea. Make sure that you are provided with a consultant from the same or a related industry. If you are repeatedly offered the same consultant for completely opposite types of companies and industries, you should urgently find out more about the consultant’s actual knowledge.
Due to the lack of qualified consultants, consulting firms tend to praise a consultant as a ‘jack of all trades’. The consulting result of a consultant who is new to the industry is rarely satisfactory and costs you time and money. Pay attention to the industry specialization of your consultant.
3. Meetings and contact with references
Even if it sounds trivial, it makes sense to question the references of the consulting firm. This way, you can quickly get an overview of the satisfaction and the consulting performance of your provider.
Particularly in the case of consulting firms with a broad range of industries (e.g. from mechanical engineering to trade to textiles), you should contact reference customers and talk about the industry knowledge of the consulting firm.
An experienced consultancy will certainly put you in touch with a reference customer in your industry and can arrange a joint visit. On site, you can see for yourself how successfully the project was implemented and get a first-hand account of the experience.
