| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | System selection prepares the client for the sales |
| As a small business or a business just getting started, | | | | cycle, gets their information together, and allows |
| you might be using an entry level accounting system | | | | them to quickly eliminate inappropriate systems. |
| where the investment in training and configuration is | | | | 4. Proven Approach to Implementing |
| minimal because the product is fairly easy to use. | | | | Entry level accounting systems can often be |
| Often these systems are ideal until your business | | | | implemented by following the software |
| begins adding more users and your business | | | | vendor’s checklist. However, mid-level |
| processes become more complex than what the | | | | systems require more planning and testing because |
| system can support. | | | | there are many different configuration options to |
| When a small business decides to implement a new | | | | make it adaptable to your business processes. The |
| accounting or business management system, it | | | | top solution providers have developed and can |
| cannot shut its doors or stop day-to-day | | | | explain to you their approach to implementing the |
| responsibilities to install, configure, and test a new | | | | system. The approach should include options for |
| system. Also, it cannot expect to start using a new | | | | functional design, pilot testing, data migration planning, |
| system without investing time to consider potential | | | | a cut-over strategy and ongoing support. |
| improvements to existing business processes or train | | | | 5. Communication |
| end users and migrate historical data. | | | | When evaluating systems, many businesses are first |
| This is where the role of your solution provider or | | | | introduced to a salesperson and may not have the |
| consultant is critical. Top solution providers efficiently | | | | opportunity to assess the communication skills of the |
| transition you from your old system to your new | | | | consultants who will eventually be assigned to the |
| system with minimal downtime for your staff. In | | | | project. A top solution provider will have an approach |
| addition, your solution provider will continue supporting | | | | for communicating with the client regarding project |
| the solution for you as your business grows and | | | | status and budgets. Also, your solution provider is |
| evolves. | | | | often preparing deliverables to you, including |
| When choosing a new system, your choice of a | | | | procedures documentation, end user training guides |
| solution provider should carry as much weight as the | | | | and more — a top solution provider can |
| product itself. Here are a few things to look for | | | | provide sample documents that demonstrate their |
| when choosing a solution provider: | | | | ability to communicate in these areas. |
| 1. Understands Your Business and System Needs | | | | 6. System Cut-over |
| A software provider should understand your business | | | | When your company starts using the new business |
| and business processes to interject which processes | | | | management system, your comfort level must be |
| can be more efficient. The provider should listen to | | | | established by the solution provider. That can take |
| you, give good examples of how the system should | | | | anywhere from 30 days to six months, depending |
| work, and ask good questions, not just about | | | | upon the client and how significant the changes are in |
| software, but also how your people work, who they | | | | IT and business processes. During this time, your |
| are, their skill sets, and how they would use the | | | | solution provider should still pay attention to you, |
| application. | | | | check in to make sure things are working the way |
| 2. Exhibits Exceptional Knowledge About Their | | | | they were expected, and provide any additional |
| Product(s) | | | | support and training your end users need. |
| It is a must for your software provider to thoroughly | | | | 7. Ongoing Support |
| understand the functionalities, capabilities and | | | | Many businesses begin realizing a positive return on |
| intricacies of their solutions and coherently explain | | | | their investment in a new system within the first 12 |
| those to your end users so you optimize your | | | | to 18 months. The project and your relationship with |
| investment and use the business management | | | | your solution provider should not end there. As your |
| system to its fullest potential for your organization. | | | | business grows and evolves, you want some |
| 3. Knowledge of Other Products and Solutions | | | | assurance that your solution provider is always |
| A good solution provider makes sure you understand | | | | looking after your business — recommending |
| what you are looking for and know ahead of time | | | | improvements to business processes, assessing new |
| what the expected returns and benefits will be. If | | | | modules or tools and their impact on your business, |
| you do not know what you need to do well versus | | | | or offering user groups where you can interact and |
| what a business management system does well, you | | | | share ideas with other end users. The top solution |
| can get trapped into buying a system because of | | | | providers make these and other services available to |
| something it does that is not important to you. | | | | you for as long as you own the system. |