SYNOPSIS
Selecting or replacing an enterprise software system is usually seen as an exercise from hell. The truth is that by following a straightforward approach the pitfalls can be avoided, saving cost, time and minimising
THE ART
Every business in every industry is unique for one reason or another. That includes yours. Your challenge is to understand what makes your business unique and use that knowledge to focus your search.
Enterprise systems - be they
Quick. Efficient. Cost effective. Software selection without the stress and cost.
It really is as straightforward as that.
IMPLICATIONS
There is no alternative to a full, properly constituted, evaluation and selection project to source the system you need. Understanding what makes your business unique and applying that knowledge in your evaluation will :
- focus thinking, leading to highly defined definitions of critical business requirements
- give insight into your business which may point to reasons for underperformance
- focus on what differentiates your business from your competitors
- quickly eliminate those systems not able to provide critical functionality from expensive further evaluation
- quickly achieve consensus on preferred and reserve Vendor recommendations
- focus attention on future state business processes needed to support critical functionality, and therefore where solutions can be found to existing system, process and/or reporting problems
- earn a return on investment faster by allowing you to move to implementation earlier
SOLUTION
Following these guidelines will help cut both selection time and cost :
- systems provide basic functionality very well. If they didn't the Vendor would not be in business. An accounting system will always generate a journal – how it does that and the controls the system exercises can be tested in solution demonstrations
- understand what it is that makes your business unique. Every business is different - even in the same industry. The industry may be the same but the way businesses operate differ in subtle, and not so subtle, ways. What works for one business may not work for another. This knowledge not only allows you to accelerate the evaluation and selection process but also provide insights into differentiation with your competitors – it produces quantifiable benefits in selection and the wider business
- concentrate on finding those systems that meet your unique needs. Apply the knowledge and insights gained into your business to eliminate unsuitable solutions. This maximises the efficiency of your evaluation efforts and saves significant time and money
- do not short circuit the selection process. There is no viable alternative to a properly run selection process. Do not adopt a subset of the system market. It remains important to scour the market to include as many systems as possible to eliminate the risk of missing the best fit solution as far as possible
Mark Woolley is a Systems