ERP
Choosing ERP Software: A Practical Buyer’s Guide for Growing and Mid-Market Companies
Why ERP Selection Is One of the Most Consequential IT Decisions
ERP is not a short-term purchase. Once implemented, ERP becomes the system of record for finance, operations, and reporting—often for a decade or more. Choosing the wrong ERP leads to stalled growth, expensive re-implementations, and frustrated teams.
Define Requirements Based on Growth, Not Just Today
Strong ERP evaluations consider:
- Planned headcount growth.
- International expansion.
- M&A activity.
- Regulatory requirements.
Core ERP Capabilities to Evaluate
- Financial management and reporting.
- Inventory and supply chain.
- Multi-entity and multi-currency support.
- Workflow and approvals.
- Integration ecosystem.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
TCO includes:
- Licensing or subscription fees.
- Implementation services.
- Ongoing support and administration.
- Integration and customization costs.
Vendor and Partner Due Diligence
Evaluate:
- Product roadmap.
- Partner ecosystem.
- Customer references in your industry.
Implementation Readiness
ERP success depends as much on internal readiness as vendor selection.
Final Thoughts
Choosing ERP software requires balancing current needs with future scale. The right ERP supports growth, control, and visibility for years—not just the next phase.
- Top Expert
Nathan Rowan
Marketing Expert, Business-Software.com
Program Research, Editor, Expert in ERP, Cloud, Financial Automation
Program Research, Editor, Expert in ERP, Cloud, Financial Automation
